Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Summary This position is assigned to Engineering Service, Facility Management, Grounds / Maintenance and Operations at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare Systems in Cleveland Ohio. Duties Duties include, but are not to, the following: Lawn and terrace repair and maintenance such as mowing and trimming, vacuuming and raking, aerating and thatching, seeding and sodding, edging and watering; Shrub, tree and flower maintenance such as planting and relocating; watering and stripping; pruning and trimming; Chemical applications on lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers such as fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, non-selective herbicides, selective herbicides, soil enhancers and enrichers; Grounds maintenance including road repair, snow removal and snow fence installation; Operates vehicles and equipment up to 37,000 GVW on surface streets and up to 10-lane interstate highways during heavy traffic conditions, rain and snowy weather conditions; Performs preventive maintenance on all assigned vehicles and equipment; Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:00am-3:30pm; 6:30am-3:00pm; or 6:00am-230pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Must be willing to obtain and maintain an Ohio state commercial certification within 6 months of employment for the use of pesticides and other chemical formulations. 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 dentification 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 COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE: This position requires acurrent and valid state-issued commercial driver's license with a class B rating. We cannot accept photographs, therefore please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is conducted, you will be required to provide a copy of your current and valid state-issued driver's license at that time. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Work requires periodic exposure to heat, cold and inclement weather; may be subjected to bumps, bruises, cuts, abrasions; is subject to sewer gases, exhaust fumes, dirt, grease, hot pipes, and wet slippery surfaces. Work requires climbing on ladders and scaffolds, roofs, trees and equipment; subjected to confined areas, crawl spaces and equipment rooms. Frequently lifts and carry items up to 60 pounds unassisted and over 60 pounds with assistance. Work includes, but is not limited to bending, stooping, kneeling, pushing, stretching, lying under equipment for repairs. 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) 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 This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.