Gardener

Major duties include but not limited to:

• Maintains lawns landscaped areas garden beds and natural grounds throughout the medical center.
• Plants transplants and maintains trees shrubs annuals and perennials selecting appropriate species based on site conditions hardiness and seasonal requirements.
• Prunes shapes trims removes or replaces trees and shrubs as needed for safety plant health or appearance. Prepares soil installs sod and resolves difficult growth problems using appropriate landscaping techniques including ground covers edging rock and slope treatments.
• Applies fertilizers herbicides pesticides and related products following established safety procedures and regulatory guidelines.
• Inspects plants for signs of disease infestation or environmental stress and performs corrective actions.
• Assists with seasonal start up operation troubleshooting and shut down of the facility irrigation system.
• Performs routine maintenance and minor repairs on irrigation components to ensure reliable operation.
• Operates grounds maintenance equipment such as mowers trimmers chainsaws pruners leaf blowers wood chippers hand tools and related power equipment.
• Operates government vehicles including pickups vans and trucks to transport tools equipment supplies and materials on and off station.
• Performs snowplowing and sanding during winter operations and supports road repair activities as assigned.
• Removes snow and ice from sidewalks building entrances roadways and parking lots.
• Provides routine care for small game birds housed on the grounds.
• Performs laundry pick up and delivery when laborer coverage is insufficient due to leave illness or other staffing gaps.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm some weekend and holiday work may be required.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD656-90380A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care you will operate in a model with three core elements seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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)
• Current valid unrestricted drivers license required

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 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.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/31/2026.

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

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: Performs frequent walking standing bending lifting stooping and climbing associated with grounds and landscaping work. Lifts and carries tools materials and equipment up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Works outdoors in varying weather conditions including heat cold rain and snow. Exposed to dust noise fumes chemicals and hazards associated with working around power equipment heavy tools and snow removal indoors for shop support equipment maintenance and administrative tasks. Works at elevated heights using aerial lifts during tree maintenance and other grounds activities requiring use of safety harnesses and fall protection equipment.