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GARDENER (MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR)-DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command

Summary

Veterans' preference does not apply to DHA recruitment.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to plan and perform seasonal gardening and grounds maintenance duties and requires the use of motor vehicles and tractors.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/19/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 19, 2026
Location
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$25.95 - $30.27 per hour

Salary listed is Edwards AFB, if you are selected for a different location your salary is dependent upon duty location and step.

Pay scale & grade
WG 6
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
AFMC-500306-12976611-SJB
Control number
872008700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

Duties

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  • Plans and carries out gardening work according to the schedule or project assignment, keeping within the
    framework of established gardening practices.
  • Performs grounds maintenance work, such as mowing, weeding, watering, pruning, and trimming, selecting
    and applying established gardening methods.
  • Uses and maintains a variety of hand and power operated garden tools and equipment, such as seeders, spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, sprayers, spades, hoes, rakes, and mowers.
  • Operates a farm-type tractor and towed or attached equipment on level or rolling terrain, such as open fields, parks, orchards, lawns, and along roadways.
  • Determines equipment operations for maneuvering over level or rolling terrain that are appropriate to the operating characteristics of the tractor and towed or attached equipment.
  • Operates a variety of gasoline, diesel, or electric powered wheeled vehicles, such as passenger transport, platform trucks, van trucks, stake trucks, or dump trucks, which typically have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 10,000 and up to 26,000 pounds.
  • Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • Relocation cost or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • This position requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle; an appropriate, valid driver's license will be required.
  • Selectee may be required to participate in mobility exercises.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
  • This position may require travel.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-5000 Plant And Animal Work Family. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed, and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

The screen out element for this position is Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision

JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Technical Practices: theoretical precise, artistic
Use of Measuring Instrument
Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications; other than blueprints
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Knowledge of Materials
Dexterity and Safe.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: Is someone with: 5 years of experience in planning and carrying out gardening work according to given specifications from supervisors - Desired.

5 years of experience in performing grounds maintenance work, such as moving, weeding, watering, pruning, and trimming, selecting and applying established gardening methods - Desired
5 years of operator experience with farm-type tractor and towed or attached equipment on level or rolling terrain, such as open fields, parks, orchards, lawns, and along roadways - Desired.
5 years of operator experience on gasoline, diesel, or electric powered wheeled vehicles, such as platform trucks, van trucks, stake trucks, or dump trucks, which typically have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 10,000 and up to 26,000 pounds - Desired.

KNOWLEDGE SKILS AND ABILITIES (KSA)
1. Knowledge of seasonal gardening tasks, such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming, and applying chemicals to plants.
2. Knowledge of grounds maintenance, such as mowing grass and trimming trees and shrubs.
3. Knowledge of how to apply chemicals and fertilizers. 4. Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
5. Knowledge of operating characteristics and skill to operate a variety of tractors, manipulate equipment controls simultaneously, and adjust equipment for various job requirements. Skill in judging clearances, heights, and turning angles of tractor and towed vehicles/equipment
6. Knowledge of and skill in operating one or more gasoline, diesel, or electric powered wheeled vehicles with a GVW of more than 10,000 and up to 26,000 pounds such as platform trucks, van trucks, stake trucks, dump trucks, passenger vans, shuttle buses, and cargo vans. Knowledge of cargo handling and hauling and techniques for safeguarding and protecting cargo.
7. Knowledge of traffic and safety regulations, practices, and procedures pertaining to motor vehicle and farm-type tractor operation.
8. Skill in using and maintaining hand and power tools, such as seeders, spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, sprayers, spades, hoes, rakes, and mowers.
9. Ability to recognize common plant diseases, plant insects, and unusual or poor plant growth.
10. Ability to follow instructions, work orders, and specifications related to gardening, motor vehicle and tractor operation, and to perform preventive maintenance.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Air Force Materiel Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • US Citizen

Agency contact information

Air Force Test Center Recruitment
Email
AFTC.Enterprise.Recruiting@us.af.mil
Address
AF Test Center
6437 6th Street
Bldg 430, Rm 119
Hill AFB, UT 84056
US

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