Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Syracuse VA Medical Center seeks a Gardener within the Facility Maintenance Service. This role supports the grounds, planting, and seasonal maintenance to ensure safe, welcoming grounds for veterans and staff.

The position requires operating a range of lawn and snow equipment, planning seasonal tasks, and readiness to respond to emergencies. Typical hours are 6:00am–3:30pm, with fall night shifts for snow operations.

Qualifications

• Selective Placement Factor (SPF) requires a current/valid State Driver's License.
• Screen-out: ability to perform duties of Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator) with normal supervision.
• Experience operating a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment (mowers, weed whackers, vacuum, leaf blower, garden tractor, power sweeper).

Responsibilities

• Operates gasoline and diesel-powered equipment such as self-propelled mowers, weed whackers, vacuum, leaf blower, garden tractor with wagon and power sweeper.
• Determines quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizer and other materials needed for specific areas.
• Selects fungicides, insecticides and herbicides for plant protection.
• Starts new plants in seed beds or cold frames and manages moisture, temperature, humidity and ventilation for germination.
• Plans regular and recurring seasonal tasks and maintenance schedules.
• Coordinates snow removal according to policy.
• Responds to emergencies such as inclement weather or floods.
• Keeps records of plants started and fertilizer used.
• Work Schedule: 6:00am–3:30pm; fall shift 11:00pm–7:00am for snow removal coordination.
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized; CSI: Not Approved

Skills

Dexterity and Safety

Interpret Instructions - Specs

Materials Handling

Technical Practices

Tools & Equipment Use

Tools

Gasoline/Diesel Equipment

Job description

This announcement has been extended. Applicant(s) who have applied do not need to re-apply.**** This position is located within the Facility Maintenance Service at the VA Medical Center - Syracuse - New York.

Summary

This announcement has been extended. Applicant(s) who have applied do not need to re-apply.**** This position is located within the Facility Maintenance Service at the VA Medical Center - Syracuse - New York.

Qualifications

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT): A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Requires a current/valid State Driver's License. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested - you will be required to provide a copy of your current - valid state-issued Driver's License. SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to perform the duties of a Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator) without more than normal supervision. Examples of experience includes: working in a Commercial/Industrial setting - operating a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment (e.g. - self-propelled mowers; week whackers - vacuum - leaf blower - garden tractor - power sweeper); operating snow removal equipment with large PTO attachments (e.g. - 445 tractor with slow blade; 10 HP snow blower; 4-wheel drive 3/4-ton truck with snow plow/controls; etc.); policing lawns before mowing to remove dead trees/flowers and other debris; planning/preparing seasonal tasks to prepare soil and fertilizing - transplanting - laying sod - aerating - pruning - trimming - etc. and applying chemicals to plants; and maintain the cleanliness of equipment and tools. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Must be able to perform tasks necessitating heavy physical effort such as frequent lifting and moving of objects weighing 80 pounds - such as fertilizer - grass seed - rock salt and melt. Frequent running - walking - standing - bending - stooping and pushing of carts and wheelbarrows. Occasionally climbing ladders to prune or trim vegetation. Performs heavy physical effort when operating all types of vehicles for gardening - snow removal and cleaning medical center grounds. Must work outside for long periods in hot sun - rain - snow and below freezing weather. The incumbent is exposed to dirt - dust - mud and chemical sprays and dusts and must wear protective clothing such as gloves - eye protection - dust masks - safety shoes and boots. The incumbent must be available for emergencies such as inclement weather - major utility failure - floods and other similar emergencies and be subject to call back. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position - the job element method is used to match what you - the applicant - can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge - skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge - skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required - your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions - Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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.

Duties

• Duties include but may not be limited to: Operates a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment such as self-propelled mowers - weed whackers - vacuum - leaf blower - garden tractor with wagon and power sweeper
• Determines the quantities of plants - seeds - fertilizer and other materials needed for specific areas
• Selects fungicides - insecticides and herbicides for the control of common plant disease - plant insects and weeds
• Starts new plants in seed beds or cold frames - builds good soil base - places seeds at proper depth and manages the moisture - temperature - humidity and ventilation required to encourage germination and growth
• Plans regular and recurring seasonal tasks and maintenance schedule
• Coordinates snow removal according to policy
• Responds to emergencies such as inclement weather - major utility failure - floods or other similar emergencies
• (subject to call back) Reproduces plants through cuttings - rooting - grafting and layering processes
• Keeps records of the number and kinds of plants started and kind of fertilizer used
• Work Schedule: 6:00am - 3:30pm Every fall - the tour of duty is changed to 11:00pm to 7:00am to coordinate the snow removal and de-icing efforts in preparation for patient and employee arrival
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved