Gardener

About the role

This position is located in the Facilities Management Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in Saint Cloud, MN. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of functions, including year round grounds maintenance; landscaping; irrigation; snow removal operations; operation of equipment and vehicles. To qualify for this position at the WG-6 level, you must meet the following: SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Requires a current, valid state-issued Driver's License. (Note: We may not accept pictures. Please Do Not submit a copy of your license. This requirement will be verified if interviewed.) AND SCREEN-OUT: Do you possess the ability to do the work of the position (i.e., Gardener - Groundkeeper without more than normal supervision based on your training/experience? This position is responsible for performing grounds maintenance by planting, trimming, and maintaining trees, plants, and weeding shrub/flower beds; irrigation systems; and operating various ground maintenance equipment and associated vehicles. In making your response, consider that your past and/or current training/experience must have provided the knowledge, skill, and ability to the work of position without more than normal supervision. Qualifying experience includes but not limited to: performing grounds maintenance duties in a commercial setting, including planting trees, plants, and shrubs; trimming trees and weeding shrub/flower beds; and operating various ground maintenance equipment. (This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical demands will involve frequent walking, standing, bending, lifting, stooping, and climbing associated with grounds and landscaping work. Additionally, lifting and carrying 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 operations. Works 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. 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: Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials Quality Ranking Factor Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments 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 volun

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