Summary This position is located in the Durham VA Health Care System, Engineering Service, Durham, NC. 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 The duties include but no limited to: Duties include monitoring possible high erosion areas, prepare soil by considering individual needs of plants and if needed adjust mineral content through proper mixture of such materials as sand, humus, topsoil, and fertilizer. All pruning and trimming is to be done in an adequate way to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth. Places seeds and plants in soil at proper depth and take care not to damage roots while transplanting. Inspects plants for obvious plant diseases (mold, brown spots, rusts, blight, and mildew), plant insects (leaf miner, scales, borers, and slugs), and unusual or poor plant growth and takes corrective measure on own initiative. The position may operate a backhoe, power driven lawn mowers, street sweepers, small tractors, edger, clippers, and chainsaws to keep the Medical Center's grounds looking well landscaped. Position 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. Position transports individuals to and from work detail at the VA Medical Center. Position operates vehicles over Federal, state, and county roads and city streets in all traffic conditions. Position arranges installation with Engineering Service for all signs that this medical center recommends method of signage installation. Position maintains inventory for all signs, supplies, equipment, and materials for the medical center signage program. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)/PD067210 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 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 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, 07/20/2026. 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. (Other Than 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 Vehicle Operation 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: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts, wheel barrows, and lawnmowers. Frequently climbs ladders, lifts heavy objects such as equipment, bags of fertilizer and grass seed the 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 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 at engraving/sign making equipment for long periods of time. Walking, stretching, bending, stooping and working with ladders are required to measure for placement of signs. Some lifting may be required. Keen eyesight is required to read small print from blueprints. Position must have the ability to distinguish basic or shades of color, different sizes and shapes of signs. 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.
