Gardener(Tractor Operator)

This position is established in the Grounds Section of Facilities Management Service at George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT. The incumbent performs a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep of campus grounds, including the service of turf, shrubs, trees, and irrigation systems, as well as performing minor maintenance duties on gardening equipment. Incumbent is required to work with a minimum amount of supervision to perform a wide variety of duties. This position is established in the Grounds Section of Facilities Management Service at George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT. Duties include, but are not limited to: Transplants, Aerates, Prunes, & Trims. Measures, Mixes & Applies • Selects, measures, mixes, and applies fertilizers and chemical control agents to control common plant diseases, insects, and weeds. Prepares, Roots, Grafts, Layers, & Documents. Transplants, Aerates, Prunes & Trims • Reviews seasonal planting schedules and project plans, compares with the suitability of weather conditions, moisture in the soil, and stage of plant growth, before deciding to plant. Determines quantities of plants and fertilizer to be used. Transplants, aerates, prunes, and trims a wide variety of unusual plants, seeds, and plant materials using knowledge and techniques, including slope stabilization, proper growing conditions, and climate to achieve required results. Prunes and trims unusual plant conditions, difficult repairs, or extensive plant damage. Selects, Measures, Mixes & Applies Fertilizers • Selects, measures, mixes, and applies fertilizers and chemical control agents by adjusting soil conditions (pH) to provide required growth conditions. Accomplishes deicing, snow removal, sweeping, parking garage and road cleaning, sidewalk and blacktop repair, in addition to posting outdoor signage. The incumbent shall be capable of adjusting to changing needs and performing miscellaneous duties as required. Incumbent will also operate various light vehicles to push, pull, pile, load, or haul materials through the use of vehicles such as sedans, pickups, ride-on mowers, compact lawn tractor, street sweeper, utility vehicles, golf carts, snow-plow, trucks up to 1-1/4 ton, and other 2 light equipment used for typical campus type operations, such as push rotary mowers, clippers, trimmers, edgers, pumps, as well as hand-operated devices such as carts, hand seeders, trimmers, rakes, picks, and shovels. As a member of the Snow Emergency Response Team, the incumbent performs snow removal from VAMC streets, sidewalks, and parking lots during snow events by hand shoveling, snowblowing, or with trucks, sidewalk plows, wheel loaders equipped with plow, bucket, pusher box, and Kubota or Ventrac equipped with snow blower, plow, or sweeper. Works closely with Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) personnel performing grounds maintenance. Incumbent performs safety inspections and performs minor preventative maintenance on all equipment utilized and reports any repairs that the incumbent cannot accomplish to the Grounds Supervisor. As assigned, cleans and makes daily checks of fuel, oil, tires, hydraulic fluid, and battery of equipment to be utilized using the pre-trip and post inspection log. Must have a valid state driver's license and satisfactorily operate campus grounds equipment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 7:00am • 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener(Tractor Operator)/PD148860 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/22/2026. 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 ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out elements, which usually appears as question 1 & 2 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirements 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 Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Motor Vehicles Plan and organize work Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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 incumbent performs in a physically demanding role that requires stamina, dexterity, and balance to perform the tasks assigned to this position. Incumbents must be physically fit, as work tasks require frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing carts, lawnmowers, edgers, and wheelbarrows. Work tasks may involve occasional lifting and carrying heavy (approximately 50 pounds) objects, with frequent lifting and carrying of moderately heavy objects (up to 40 pounds) such as grass seed, trash bags, ice melt, containers, trimming, and waste. Other physical effort involves pulling, climbing, and working with hands overhead. Incumbents must have the ability to be on their feet for 4 long periods, either standing, walking, or working off ladders. Must be able to climb ladders to prune and/or trim shrubs and trees. Physical demands are approximately 90% field work and 10% office work. The field portion will require that the incumbent perform service and maintenance-type work in all weather conditions, ranging from extreme summer heat to extreme winter cold. All work activities shall be performed in a way that ensures the safety of not only the incumbent, but also colleagues and the public as well. The incumbent shall be able to work in an office environment, sitting or standing for long periods, and in a field environment subject to extreme temperature conditions. Duties will require performance for long periods and may occur under all weather conditions, including hot, dry, wet, cold, and freezing conditions. Work may occur during daylight or after dark conditions, when special care must be taken. The incumbent shall also frequently work around facility and site infrastructure systems, including electrical, pressurized liquids or gases, dust, dirt, soils, fumes, fuels, chemicals, solvents, and other potentially hazardous systems or compounds. Exposure to these environmental conditions exposes the incumbent to potential hazards. In the performance of the duties, the incumbent must be alert to these hazards, don appropriate PPE, and take measures necessary to deal with the working conditions before they present a safety hazard and cause injury. 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 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) Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license. 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.