Gardener (Tractor Operator)

Veterans Health Administration; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Fayetteville, AR, seeks a Gardener (Tractor Operator) to operate heavy equipment for moving earth, mulch, and other materials, and to load items into trucks or trailers as needed. You will handle controls and attachments with skill, following safety instructions and supervisor guidance.

This role emphasizes practical horticulture work, physical stamina for outdoor conditions, and adherence to safety standards while performing routine landscaping and maintenance

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment to push, load, and move earth, rock, mulch, and materials.
• Load dirt, trees, and items into trucks or trailers and assist with handling equipment safely.

Job description

The Gardener (Tractor Operator) is responsible for the operation of heavy equipment to push, load, make piles and items, move earth, rock, gravel, mulch, supplies, and equipment. Loads dirt, trees & other items into dump trucks & onto flatbeds; and dump trailers, dumpsters and into back of trucks taking touch and higher levels of skill. Operators are required to know the uses of sets of controls or operation of the equipment & attachments and be skilled in handling these controls.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/18/2026. 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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) 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/Working Conditions: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping, and climbs ladders to trim and/or prune trees. At this grade level, the gardener more frequently climbs ladders and stretches to prune or trim vegetation than at lower grade levels. The also frequently lift heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc. In working outside, the gardener is subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes to chilly or rainy weather. In some instances the conditions will involve working in air contaminated with chemical dust and sprays being used on trees and shrubs. Grade 08 gardeners are usually exposed to chemical sprays and dusts more frequently than at the lower grade levels.