Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of Robley Rex VA only

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As the Gardener (Tractor Operator), the incumbent's duties include, but are not limited to:

• Schedule and plan seasonal gardening tasks such as preparing soil for plants, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning and trimming trees and shrubs, and applying chemical control agents according to specific directions.
• Use a variety of hand and power-operated garden tools including seeders, spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears and sprayers.
• Obtain within 3 months of employment and maintain a valid State Chemical Applicators License.
• Maintain a current, valid driver's license.
• Operate gasoline, diesel or electric powered-wheeled vehicles.
• Operate special purpose motor vehicles such as tractor, skid loader, or auxiliary devices.
• Use equipment attachments to include snow blades, salt spreaders, front end loading buckets, pavement sweepers, etc.
• Perform manual work such as loading and unloading trucks and supplies, etc., by hand or hand truck; digging ditches, mowing lawns, washing vehicles, snow and ice removal, litter and trash pickup, etc.
• Perform heavy physical work frequently lifting and moving objects weighing over 50 pounds, running power mowers on grades or pushing heavy wheelbarrow, etc.

***Incumbent must obtain within 3 months of employment and maintain a State Chemical Applicators License. If you are currently licensed, please provide a copy with your application.
******Must maintain a current, valid driver's license. Applicants must provide a legible copy during interview process. Do NOT submit with your application***
Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday; 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener (Tractor Operator)/PD40179A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/23/2025.

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 Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

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:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• 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: The incumbent must be capable of handling the physical and mental demands of operating grounds vehicles and grounds equipment for prolonged periods in all type of inclement weather and adverse driving conditions. The incumbent loads, arranges, and unloads cargo to provide proper safe weight distribution and directs seating arrangements of passengers, assists in lifting and carrying supplies hauled. He or she is required to lift and push heavy articles while loading and unloading cargo. The incumbent will be expected to apply heavy physical effort in doing such tasks as frequently lifting and moving objects weighing over 50 pounds, operating power mowers on grades or pushing heavy equipment. He or she is expected to work outside in all kinds of weather and inside in areas that may be dusty, drafty, and noisy. In performance of duties he or she must be able to walk, stand, stoop, crawl, and climb stairs and ladders. Considerable strain is caused by vibration, jerking and jolting.

Working Conditions: The incumbent works irregular tours when needed and as emergencies arise, which may include evenings, nights, weekends and/or holidays. He or she may be required to work overtime on a scheduled or emergency basis. He or she is required to work under various weather and road conditions, to operate snowplow and sand/salt spreader during icy and snowy conditions. He or she may be exposed to extremes of hot and cold temperatures and all types of weather conditions while working outdoors. He or she may be exposed to long hours of driving under various road conditions including wet or snow covered or congested roads which require a high level of mental concentration. He or she may work inside in garage areas that may be dusty, drafty, and noisy. The equipment and tasks involved at this level frequently require special care to avoid serious injury. The incumbent may be exposed to noxious items such as poison ivy, wasps, and other pest

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.