This position is located within the Agricultural Research Service, Plains Area, Manhattan, Kansas. In this position, you will perform a variety of gardening, pest control, and grounds maintenance, as well as motor vehicle and equipment operation duties.

Duties

Mixes and applies appropriate pesticides for plants and trees to treat diseases or insects. Performs arithmetic calculations to determine rate, use, and quantity of pesticides. Operates lawnmowers, landscape support vehicles, and snow removal equipment. Prunes and trims shrubs, trees, and other plants as required and to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Motor Vehicle or Commercial Driver's License Required.
• Pesticide Applicators License Required.
• Vaccine(s) Required.
• Drug Test Required.
• Special Physical Requirements/Demands.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement: 01/30/2025. Qualifications will be determined under the Job Element Rating System X-118C, Qualifications Standard Handbook. While a specific length of time and experience is not required for most Wage Grade positions, you must show through experience and training that you possess the best qualified level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length. The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc. (For example You must have the ability to perform the duties of a Gardener, without more than normal supervision (Screen Out). Applicants who do not meet the SCREEN OUT ELEMENT will not be given further consideration. PHYSICAL EFFORT: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts or wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. May occasionally climb ladders to prune or trim vegetation. In addition, the work requires frequent arm and leg movements to operate tractor, motor vehicle, and/or equipment controls and moderate physical effort in making couplings between the tractor/motor vehicle and towed trailer or tillage equipment using safety chains, tow bars, and hooks and/or mechanical and hydraulic connections. The incumbent is exposed to vibration, jerking, and jolting in equipment operation over rough terrain. Considerable physical effort may be required to change tires or perform other limited operator maintenance or emergency repairs. The work requires frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, and reaching. The incumbent is required to lift up to 100 pounds with appropriate precautions, support, and/or mechanical lifting devices. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed outside or indoors. The incumbent is exposed to unpleasant noise levels and vibration and severe jolting from the tractor and towed vehicles. Outside work often exposes the incumbent to long periods of hot sun, cold temperatures, rain, and bad weather. The incumbent is exposed to injury from power tools and danger from flying splinters or airborne particles, as well as scrapes or cuts from use of tools and equipment. In the operation of motor vehicles, the incumbent is exposed to traffic hazards while driving on improved or unimproved roads. When spraying pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, there is some risk of exposure through skin absorption or inhalation; therefore, protective clothing and respirators are required to be worn. There is also some risk of minor injuries, bruises, cuts, and scratches when performing minor equipment repairs and operator maintenance. The incumbent must follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment to avoid injury and possible hazards in the work area. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Tamicka Johnson
• Phone: (703) 259-9323
• Email: Tamicka.johnson@usda.gov