Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

About the role

This position is located in the Grounds and Transportation Section of the Environmental Management Service Line (EMS) at VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Seattle, Washington. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/28/2026. DRIVING REQUIREMENT: Must have an unrestricted State Driver's License. Must be cleared (upon hire) by Occupational Health to drive a government vehicle. 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: Drive Safely Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Motor Vehicles Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Reliability And Dependability Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending and stooping. The incumbent occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim and frequently lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc. The incumbent also exerts light physical effort to operate hand and foot controls on the vehicles and frequently handles objects weighing up to 40 pounds when loading cargo. The incumbent, with assistance of other workers or weight handling equipment occasionally handles heavier objects while loading cargo. Moderate physical effort may be required to couple towed equipment to the vehicle. This position has a driving requirement. Working Conditions: The gardening work is performed outside, subject to long periods in the sun, or rainy weather and chilly or cold weather. Exposure to direct, dust, mud and chemical sprays may require wearing protective clothing such as gloves, safety shoes and boots. There is a chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes and occasionally the possibility of broken bones because of accidents or from falling objects when loading and unloading the vehicle.