Summary This position is a Gardener located within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. The primary purpose of the position is to perform duties as a subject matter expert pertaining to key operation elements related to turf grass and landscape maintenance, including turf renovation operations. Responsibilities Duties Include but not limited to: Prepares the soil for plants seeds. Thins, transplants, trims, prunes, fertilizes, aerates and mulches Sprays ground covers flowers, shrubs and trees using independent judgment and decision-making. Prepares new planting areas for flower beds and grass areas and considers the individual needs or characteristics of a wide variety of different trees and shrubs for proper pruning to obtain proper balance between roots and top growth. Implements tree and shrub maintenance plan to enhance the health, vigor. and appearance of woody plants. Responsible for determining equipment and estimation of material in the application of fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides. Selects the location for best plant growth and development considering soil conditions, hardiness of plants, foliage stages of growth, flowering periods and overall landscaping plan. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00AM - 3:30PM Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD04110A 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 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, 03/30/2026. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading) 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: Moderate to heavy exertion is required in daily operations, to include attaching or removing implements from tractors. Work requires arm and leg movement to manipulate equipment controls. Incumbent will be exposed to frequent walking, kneeling, stooping, bending, and lifting in excess of 40 pounds. Work is primarily performed outdoors under prevailing weather conditions, which may result in exposure to cold, rain, fog, heat, sun, and dampness. Incumbent will also be exposed to dirt, dust, and mud in the performance of duties. Incumbent must exercise care and caution in performing duties to avoid injury to self or fellow employees. Incumbent will perform assigned task and duties in a safe manner in accordance with the Department of Veterans Affairs, OSHA regulations, and policies and procedures. Education Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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.
