Summary This position is intended to be a "Working' supervisory position. The Primary Purpose of the Position is to exercise technical and administrative supervision over subordinate workers in accomplishing trades and labor work (in a segment of an organization, a group, or work shift). The location is Grounds Unit, Temple, Transportation and Grounds Section Temple, Maintenance and Operations Section Temple, Engineering Service, at the Temple Campus of CTVHCS, Temple, TX. Responsibilities Major duties include, but not limited to: This position is responsible for the grounds and landscaping operations for the Veteran Affairs Medical Facility in Temple, Texas. Schedules tasks and directs workflow for subordinate team members to meet all goals. Schedule's maintenance, repair and cleanliness for all tools and equipment needed to perform job duties. Responsible for being engaged with and oversees the grounds contract at the facility and ensures that the grounds team maintains adequate stock of parts and supplies, maintains records, and furnishes reports as assigned. Supervise assigned workers from external programs such as CWT/Homeless Program. Reads and administers contracts and makes recommendations and decisions for grounds related issues based on expertise. Develops and presents, for final approval, recurring maintenance and small project budget for grounds and landscaping operations. Responsible for annual inventory of all related property/equipment in the grounds and landscaping operations. The incumbent must obtain/maintain if applicable, a State of Texas applicator's license for the application of fertilizers and herbicides at the Medical Facility. Ensures all staff wear appropriate protective gear. Ensures all staff operate equipment in accordance with operating manuals. Ensure all work is completed using correct equipment, work methods and practices including safety measures. The incumbent will be responsible for care, maintenance, refurbishing and upkeep of ail exterior areas of the facility, to include the building entrances, grounds, patios, roads, parking lots and other paved surfaces, and walkways. The incumbent ensures the irrigation system is always operating. Ensure all repairs to the system are done timely. Ensures that water conservation is followed during drought season in accordance with water restriction stages set by city ordinance. Incumbent is responsible for procurement and contracting for the grounds and landscaping operations. This includes generating purchase requests in IFCAP containing enough information for the contracting office to identify the salient characteristics of the item or services to be purchased. Responsible for developing the procurement package which includes the Statement of Work/Objectives (SOW/SOO), Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) evaluation factors used in the evaluation process, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), and any other required approvals mandated by regulation or policy. Incumbent serves as the primary COR for the grounds and landscaping operations. The COR is required to take formal COR training every two years. As COR, the incumbent evaluates the contracts for compliance with VA policies and ensures contract specifications are accurate, initiates cost proposals for change orders, develops a government cost estimate for the change and negotiates such changes with the Contractor's Representative, reviews and examines submittals for compliance, verifies daily logs, evaluates and makes recommendations concerning the release and payment of funds to the contractor based upon exams and for procedures satisfactorily completed. The incumbent prepares correspondence to a wide variety of internal and external customers. Initiates and prepares monthly cost and status reports. Incumbent has skill and knowledge to determine when plantings need to be thinned, transplanted, or replaced due to overgrowth for their location. Incumbent knows when and how seeds should be harvested and when bulbs should be planted or removed from the ground for growth and storage. Incumbent has the knowledge and ability to start new plants in seed beds or cold frames, knowing how to build a good soil base and correct planting and growth requirements and techniques to obtain good germination and growth. Incumbent has ability to read and interpret a wide variety of written or verbal work requests, blueprints and sketches, instructions, installation guidelines or orders to accomplish assigned work. Incumbent must be able to read, interpret, understand and apply appropriate safety labels, warnings and instructions on products and equipment being used. Additionally, must be knowledgeable of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),appropriate chemical storage, and proper chemical disposal. Incumbent must be certified at a minimum in General Pest Control, Termite Control, Weed and Lawn and Ornamental Categories by the State of Texas. The Texas Structural Pest Control Laws and Regulations require continuing education units for certified applicators. Additional training shall be accomplished through seminars and workshops given by universities, government agencies and companies. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener Supervisor (Tractor Operator)/PD003190 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements 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 You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period 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 dentification 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) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/18/2025. 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Lead or Supervise Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety 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/Working Conditions: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling (2-4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking 4 hours; Standing 4 hours; Crawling; Kneeling; Repeated bending 1-4 hours; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted). Education Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
