Gardener Leader

Veterans Health Administration

Johnson City (TN)

On-site

USD 36,000 - 41,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

The Gardener Leader/Work Leader at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mountain Home, TN, leads the Grounds and Transportation Unit and supervises ten or more workers to accomplish daily tasks and maintain grounds and related facilities.

Under the supervisor, the incumbent coordinates schedules, assigns work, tracks progress, and ensures safety compliance with Joint Commission, EPA, OSHA, CEOSH guidelines and internal policies. Regular reporting and on‑the‑job training are key duties.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Gardener Work Leader, WL-5003-6 is assigned to the Grounds and Transportation Unit within the Engineering Service of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN Health Care System. The incumbent serves as the Head Gardener and Grounds and Transportation Unit Work Leader under the direct supervision of the Supervisor Gardener.

Key Responsibilities

Duties include but not limited too: The Head Gardener/Work Leader leads ten or more workers including WG-8 Automotive Mechanic, WG-6 Gardener, WG-6 Motor Vehicle Operator, WG-4 Gardener and WG-2 Laborer to accomplish Grounds and TraRsportation Unit duties and assignments. Performs work alongside unit employees, coordinates schedules, and assigns all grounds maintenance work.

Follows local and national safety rules and guidelines, including those pertaining to grounds and transportation safety and those of the Joint Commission, EPA, OSHA, CEOSH, and other agencies. Provides assistance to the Supervisor to maintain a grounds maintenance program .

Assists the Supervisor in overseeing this program to ensure all equipment and within the area of assigned responsibility are maintained according to the established guidelines and include appropriate documentation. Ensures that performance contributes to, and directly supports, the performance measures established by the VISN or organizational goals of the medical center.

Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established work practices, assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, and assure that each employee has enough work to keep busy. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work and makes day- to- day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be disposed of promptly.

Estimates and reports on expected time of completion of wo??, and maintains records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepares production reports as requested. Instructs employees in specific tasks ahd job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. Gives on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices.

Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up. Checks on work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review (e. g., filing or direct services) and reviews completed work to see that supervisor's instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met.

Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, etc. Approves leave for a few hours or for emergencies. Informs employees of available services and employee activities. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees, and refers others to supervisor. Reports to supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems.

Provides information to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance, and personnel needs. Plans and carries out projects from initial layout to completion. On occasion when the Supervisor is absent, plans daily and weekly work schedules from work orders. Works with the Supervisor to specify personnel needed, time required to perform job, equipment, and materials required for individual work orders.

Obtains supplies and materials for the work unit to complete each assigned task. Determines work sequence. Assigns the immediate tasks to be performed by work unit employees. Gets work started. Works along with other workers and sets the pace. Demonstrates proper work methods. Ensures that needed plans, blueprints, materials, and tools are available, and that needed stock is obtained from supply locations.

Obtains needed information or decisions from the Supervisor on problems that come up during work. Ensures there is enough work to keep everyone busy. Checks work while in progress and when finished to ensure the Supervisor's instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines are met. Advises other workers to follow instructions received from the Supervisor and to meet deadlines. Assures that safety and housekeeping rules are followed.

For example, assures that limits of safe machine operation are not exceeded and that all tools are used properly. Reports to the Supervisor on status and progress of work, and causes of work delays. Answers questions of the Supervisor on overall work operations and problems, to include those concerning additional on-the-job training requirements far individual employees. Inspects work during progress and upon completion.

Reports on work accomplished, time spent, materials used, status, and progress of work, causes for delays, etc. Work Schedule: Friday to Monday 6:45am to 5:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener Leader/PD602690 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $25.94 – $30.26/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.