Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center (VAMC, in Environmental Management Service (EMS), Richmond, VA. The primary duties of the position includes preparing soil for plants, seeding, thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, and dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Responsibilities Gardener: Monitors possible high erosion areas; prepare soil by considering individual needs of plants and, if needed, adjust mineral content through proper mixture of materials such as sand, lime, humus, topsoil, and fertilizer. Tests and adjusts soil pH, mineral, and nutrient levels considering the individual needs and characteristics of planting Ability to plant and transplant a wide variety of grasses, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Prune and trim trees, shrubs, grasses, and ornamental plants to obtain a proper balance of roots and top growth and considers factors such as seasonality, damage, fruit and flower production, and desired shape and form. Inspects plants for common plant pests and diseases (i.e. Slugs, aphids, mildew, blight, root rot, thrips) and unusual or poor plant growth and takes corrective measures. Motor Vehicle Operator: Pretreat parking lots and roadways by removing snow before precipitation falls and after it falls to ensure safe passage for all VA Stakeholders. Operates one or more vehicles such as sedans, vans, or pickup trucks, which typically have an approximate gross weight up to 10,000 pounds in support of the duties of this position; transports individuals to and from work details; operates pickup truck during snow removal and applying salt to roadways in and around the hospital. Responsible for the safe operation of vehicle to prevent injury and damage to property. Determines the appropriate prescribed or alternative routes to use in emergency situations. Ability to operate a Sub-Compact Tractor with attachments, a spreader, snow blower, shovel, and bucket loader with gross vehicle weight of 1345 pounds. Pest Controller: Applies Integrated Pest Management techniques such as plant variety selection, biological controls, and nutrient profile adjustments to minimize the use of toxic herbicides and pesticides on turf and ornamental plants. The incumbent holds proper licensure to apply pre- and post- emergent herbicides, aquatic pesticides, and fertilizers. Uses wrenches, pliers, screw drivers, and similar hand tools to perform operator maintenance on application equipment. Changes nozzles, valves, hoses, adjusts and calibrate nozzle settings, and lubricate motors, pumps, and agitators Duties performed inside and outside of buildings and subject to all weather conditions; often exposed to dirt, dust, mud, chemical sprays, and strong adhesive agents. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Sunday.-Thursday 6:00am to 2:30pm (with seasonal shifts of weekends and/or holidays) Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener(Motor Veh Oper)/PD03158A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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, 01/16/2026. 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: Compliance Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Dexterity and Safety Inspect Motor Vehicles Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Competence Work Practices 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: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts, wheelbarrows, and lawn mowers. Frequently climbs ladders, lifts heavy objects such as equipment, bags of fertilizer and grass seed that could weigh in excess of 50 pounds. Position may operate vehicles in all kinds of weather in a controlled traffic environment throughout a government installation or establishment. While operating motor vehicles can be exposed to dirt and fumes, and to the possibility of cuts, bruises, and broken bones as a result of accidents while driving or from falling objects when loading and unloading the vehicle. Duties require sitting, walking, stretching, bending, stooping, and working with ladders are required. Some lifting may be required. Keen oversight is required to read small print from blueprints. Position must have the ability to distinguish basic or shades of color, different sizes and shapes. Working Conditions: Position duties will be preformed inside and outside of buildings. Duties performed outdoors would subject the position to all weather conditions; hot, cold, wet, etc., being exposed to dirt, dust, mud, chemical sprays, and strong adhesive agents. The position must comply with all safety rules, regulations, codes, and practices and will be required to wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety goggles, and shoes. Physical hazards such as tripping, falling, burns, chemicals, noise, dust, and other debris are common. Education Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. 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.
