Summary The Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare Network is recruiting for a Gardener. This position will function in the Engineering Service. Responsibilities Gardening/Grounds maintenance Lawn and terrace repair and maintenance, including but not limited to: Mowing and trimming, vacuuming and raking, aerating and thatching, seeding and sodding, edging and watering. Shrub, tree and flower maintenance, including but not limited to: Planting and relocating; watering and stripping; pruning and trimming to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth, to modify or retain the natural form, and to increase fruit and flower production. Incumbent reshapes tree wounds by bark tracing to stimulate the flow of healing sap and growth of tissue over the wound. Prior to relocating, incumbent selects the location for best plant growth and development considering soil conditions, hardiness of plants, foliage at various stages of growth, flowering periods, and the overall landscape plan. Shrub and flower beds, including but not limited to: Edging, designing preparing, cultivating and propagating. Incumbent must know how to propagate and cultivate a wide variety of plants and perform a wide range of gardening work. Plant and disease identification control and treatment; recognizes and controls infrequent plant diseases, cold damage, and mineral deficiencies. Chemical applications on lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers, including but not limited to: Fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, non-selective herbicides, selective herbicides, soil enhancers and enrichers. Incumbent knows how to increase or decrease the lime, calcium salt, or sulphur content so that acid or alkaline conditions are neutralized in line with plant requirements. He/she uses various foliage feeding, root feeding, and soil additive techniques in fertilizing different varieties of plants. Grounds maintenance, including but not limited to: Road repair, snow removal and snow fence installation. Medical Center clean-up, including but not limited to: Outside drains and catch basins, areas wells and gutters, paved surfaces, trash cans and compactors, grills, parking lots, service rooms and sub-basements, storage areas, penthouses, fire and electric closets, and hazardous material. Furniture/equipment moving. Possess a valid State Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a class B rating. Possess a current pesticide commercial applicator's license for chemical applications. Adhere to all state rules and regulations regarding applicators license renewal. Operates vehicles and equipment up to 37,000 GVW on surface streets and up to 10-lane interstate highways during heavy traffic conditions, rain and snowy weather conditions. Performs preventive maintenance on all assigned vehicles and equipment, including but not limited to: Forklifts, front-end loaders, tractors and mowers, lawn vacuums and curb sweepers, rototillers and augers, lawn rakes and de-thatcher, aerators and sprayers, and dump trucks. Work Schedule: 6:00am-230pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD94434A 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 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) 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, 12/08/2025. 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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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: Incumbent's work requires periodic exposure to heat, cold and inclement weather; may be subjected to bumps, bruises, cuts, abrasions; is subject to sewer gases, exhaust fumes, dirt, grease, hot pipes, and wet slippery surfaces. Incumbent's work requires climbing on ladders and scaffolds, roofs, trees and equipment; subjected to confined areas, crawl spaces and equipment rooms. Frequently lifts and carry items up to 60 pounds unassisted and over 60 pounds with assistance. Work includes, but is not limited to bending, stooping, kneeling, pushing, stretching, lying under equipment for repairs; subjected to noise levels up to 85 D.B for up to eight (8) hours and chemical spills. Position requires participation in a medical surveillance program. Work is done outside or in a greenhouse. In working outside, the gardener is subject to discomfort for long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes to chilly or rainy weather. Being exposed to dirt, dust, mud, and often to chemical sprays and dust, they may wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety shoes, and boots. There is a chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes and the occasional possibility of broken bones from falls. 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to Veteran's community. This aligns with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.
