Summary The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) at the VA Phoenix Healthcare System, Environmental Management Service. The primary purpose of the position is to serve as leader over a crew of Gardeners at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, and report directly to the Gardener Supervisor. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities include: Functions as Leader of the Grounds Maintenance Program within Environmental Management Service. Coordinates and directs all grounds maintenance operations. Leads a crew of 5 employees who are at the WG-04 level. Establishes training programs and schedules for new employees. Also schedules safety training and training for employee when new procedures and new equipment are introduced. Maintains balance between workload and equipment in use, recommends improvements to operators, notes complaints, and maintains good customer relationships by acting upon requests promptly and appropriately. Selects and/or recommends various kinds and @types of supplies, equipment and material are best suited to maintain and reach program goals and requirements. Oversees an inspection program that encompasses the entire acreage that surrounds the medical center to assure that work is being accomplished in accordance with supervisor's instructions. Reports deficiencies, initiates and documents all corrective actions planned. Explains work requirements to grounds crew and checks work in progress, initiates and recommends corrective action/measures as required. Demonstrates proper work methods and ensures that employees have the equipment, tools, and supplies needed to perform the work. Ensures that all safety rules are followed including safe equipment operation and proper use of tools. Works along with the other grounds crew members setting the work pace and performing a variety of gardening, cleaning of grounds and equipment operator duties. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time - Summer Season (April-October): 4:00am-12:30pm; Winter Season (November-March): 6:00am-2:30pm - 40 hours per week- Days off are determined by the needs of the service. Recruitment & Relocation 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 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation 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 identification 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 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows,bending and stooping. The gardener occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation and frequently lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc.Most work is done outside. Subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot sun and occasionally chilly or rainy weather. Exposed to dirt dust and mud and may come in contact with chemical spray. May come in contact with loud noises such as gasoline blowers, gasoline lawn mowers, gasoline trimmers etc. Personal protective items such as gloves, safety shoes, hat, glasses, ear protection and sunscreen will be provided and required to use. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Lead or Supervise Materials Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. 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.
