Clarification from the agency

Open to all Status Eligible Applicants.

This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by AFGE. Please note that as provided for in the AFGE/VA Master Agreement the FIRST area of consideration for this position will be permanent employees of the local facility in which this position is being filled, the SECOND area of consideration will be employees at other VA facilities, and the THIRD area of consideration will be all other eligibles.

The gardener prepares the soil for plants, seed, thins, transplants, trims, and prunes, fertilizes, aerates, mulches, sprays, and treats grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees using independent judgment and decision making. Prepares new planting areas for propagation of wildflower beds, domestic flower beds, trees, shrubs, and grasses. Prune shrubs, trees, and other plants to remove obvious defects and excess branches to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth, and to modify or retain the natural form of the tree, shrub, or plant. Installs landscaping materials. Operates mowing and trimming and other equipment routinely used in the maintenance of high-quality stands of turfgrass. This equipment includes aerification and thatch removal devices, woody plant trimming and tree pruning equipment. Conducts general pest control using general use pesticides and herbicides and/or monitors the application of pesticides and herbicides by contractors. The incumbent safely operates a variety of motorized vehicles utilized in cemetery operations this equipment includes but is not limited to, gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, including vehicles of ½ ton through 6 ton to transport vehicles and equipment, backhoes, lifts, and other agricultural tractors with attachments for grounds care including mowing, landscaping, broadcasting, or seeding.

Work schedule: May be required to work Monday through Friday to include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available

Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/ 135640
The full performance level of this position is WG-08.

Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Conditions of employment

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must possess a valid state driver's license.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,06/28/2022.

Your background must demonstrate work involved in landscaping, grounds keeping, or other related trades experience that includes the use of hand tools and/or power tools, and the safe operation of related machinery and equipment used in cemetery caretaking practices, as described in the duties section of the announcement.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C ( www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c).

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements.
The screen-out element(s) for this position are/is:

• Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

JOB ELEMENTS: Those who meet the minimum level of experience and training for the screen-out element will then be evaluated in each of the following job elements:

• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
• Materials
• Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Technical Practices
• Without more than normal supervision

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate to heavy physical effort with reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate different controls no various types of equipment. Work requires frequent bending, standing, stooping, pushing, climbing, kneeling, walking, and exposure to constant vibrations and jolting caused by movement of equipment over uneven and rough terrain and running of other power tools. Position may require lifting and moving moderately heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer and grass seed -weights exceeding 50 pounds with or without assistance. Incumbent must have full use of upper and lower body extremities, as moderate to heavy exertion is required in the operation of large vehicles, equipment and in attaching or removing implements from tractors.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in all types of weather, ranging from hot and humid to wet, windy, and cold. Working conditions also include dust, dirt, mud, and water. Wearing of safety shoes at all times and personal protective equipment as required by the labels of these products is mandatory. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing. Wearing of hearing protection that will contain the noise level of 85dBA or below is mandatory while operating equipment. While wearing hearing protection devices, the employee must still be able to hear at a level to perform duties in a safe manner.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.