Gardener (Tractor Operator)

The incumbent has the duties of Gardener in the Grounds Section of Facilities Management with required knowledge of gardening procedures, tending lawns, flowers, shrubs, & trees. Preparing for plants, seeding, & thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, & dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, & trees. Required to work with a minimum of supervision in a wide variety of duties located at the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center in Tulsa.To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/21/2025.

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:

• 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

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: Incumbent must be physically fit, as work tasks require frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing of carts, lawnmowers, edger's and wheelbarrows. Work task may involve occasional lifting and carrying heavy (approximately 50 pounds) 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 effo1t involves pulling, climbing, working with hands over head. Must have the ability to be on feet for long periods of time either standing, walking or working off ladders. Climbs ladders to prune and/or trim shrubs and trees.

Working Conditions: Primary work will be in the exterior grounds and parking areas of the medical center. Incumbent is required to use all the proper tools and safety equipment to protect himself/herself, staff, patients and visitors. Other assignments can be in any area of the EOVAHCS. Will be exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises and insect bites. Work is often ditty and dusty. Work is inside and outside, and off ladders and scaffolds. Outside work will involve exposure to a variety of weather conditions as is expected in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your responses.There is no education substitution at this grade level.