Summary This position is located in in the Environmental Management Service (EMS) at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC. Responsibilities Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Performs all aspects of routine and seasonal grounds maintenance in accordance with VA standards such as mowing lawns and weed eating; trimming and pruning shrubs and trees; growing and maintaining flowers, shrubs, and lawns; planting and fertilizing; and removing debris, leaves, and litter to maintain a clean and safe exterior environment. Applies fungicides, insecticides, or herbicides in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines and safety protocols. Identifies and reports safety hazards and ensures corrective actions are taken. Care for all power equipment includes adjusting blades on mowers for cutting height, preparing gas/oil mixtures, minor repairs on equipment, changing tires, checking oil, and daily routine maintenance to keep equipment in operational order. Drives motor vehicles including electric carts and pickup trucks ranging from half-ton to 2.5-ton to haul equipment to and from work sites, pick up supplies, and transport lawn maintenance equipment. Occasionally operates tractor-@type equipment for seasonal lawn mowing and snow removal. Assists Fleet operations during inclement weather, including snow/ice removal, salting, and sanding of roadways, walkways, steps, and entrances. Ensures safe operation of snowplows, sweepers, sand spreaders, trucks, and other equipment. Perform other related duties as assigned. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: 6:00am to 2:30pm. Will include weekends. May include evenings if needed. On call as necessary due to potential weather emergencies. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): 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 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: Subject to physical exertion due to frequent walking, standing, bending, and stooping required for the various grounds duties. Climbing of ladders is required to prune and trim trees. Frequently lifts and moves objects weighing over 50 pounds and may operate push-@type power mowers on grades. Pushes heavy equipment including push mowers and wheelbarrows. Occasionally requires working on lifts for cleaning gutters of building and on scaffolding, etc. Work is generally performed outdoors in all kinds of weather including extreme heat, rain, freezing conditions, and snow. Work is dirty, dusty, and noisy. Subject to machinery hazards and requires special care to avoid serious injury. Must utilize proper PPE. There is the potential for falls, bruises, cuts, and occasional broken bones, and there is potential exposure to chemicals. 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 (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision 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.
