Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current Fort Harrison VA Medical Center employees and Career transition (CTAP) eligible employees.

Videos

Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Incumbent uses own initiative, makes independent judgments in working and recommends changes for improvement and directing work in accordance with VA Regulations, program guide and manuals.
• Performs or leads repair work on roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutter, etc. These phases of work require knowledge of aggregate, sand, cement, water-cement ratio, seal-coating and road patching materials. Leads or performs digging of water and gas mains, moving of heavy Engineering equipment and supplies, demolition work, etc.
• The incumbent will be operating and performing maintenance of high powered equipment, different machinery, and the upkeep of said machinery.
• Knowledge of Fertilization, transplanting, laying sod, preparing sod and seed beds, aerating, pruning, trimming and applying a wide range of chemicals to plants, turf, flowers, and trees.
• Incumbent understands the shop and the administrative processes that go together within the ordering process and other processes that have been set into place.
• Works well with other employees and delivers customer service as appropriate, closes out work orders in a timely fashion.
• Makes independent judgments and recommendations within the framework of good gardening practices.
• Maintain tools and equipment in an organized fashion, accountable for property inventory.
• Shows up to work on time and is accountable for helping ensure the grounds is safe, especially during winter weather.
• Incumbent understands and performs under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor and
  Chief of Facility Management Services (FMS).
• Incumbent is under the supervision of the Maintenance & Repair Section Supervisor, and receives assistance only on new, unfamiliar and complex situations.
• Operates various high powered specialized lawn cutting equipment. Large agricultural type tractors, trucks from 1/2 ton to 5 ton dumps. Seeders, tillers, sprayers, loggers, gas weed eaters and various hand tools.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to the Grounds and Service Unit (e.g., snow/ice removal during Winter months, refueling operations, small engine repairs, transportation of equipment, etc.).
• Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions and failures and determines the extent of repairs and parts needed, estimated materials required, selects best work methods, techniques and trade practices and accomplishes the repair or overhaul.
• Operates smaller equipment like mowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers in a safe and responsible manner.
• Is responsible for selecting and safely using proper tools, devices, manuals, references and efficient procedures.
• Must be able to operate a plow on a truck and/or side by side in a safe environment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener(Tractor Operator)/PD127110
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
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
• 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 identification 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/16/2026.

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:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity (Assembly, Disassembly, Reassembly, etc.)
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments

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 work requires the expenditure of a high degree of physical and mental effort in the preparation of and the utilization of sod, flower beds and various lawn equipment. Incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune trees, and frequently lifts objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc., up to and including 100 lbs. The gardening and tree farm tasks require considerable walking, stooping, climbing and lifting. In addition, position requires more work involving climbing ladders and stretching to reach tree limbs.

Working Conditions: Incumbent will be subject to long hours in cold, snow, wet weather, hot weather, dust, pollen exposure and insect stings. Also, is subject to injury from lifting, handling toxic materials such as chemical over-spray and from the hazards of operating high power lawn maintenance equipment.

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.