Gardener

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs and current Permanent, Federal employees of other agencies. First consideration will be giving to Orlando facility employees (675).

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs seasonal gardening tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming, and applying approved chemicals according to instructions.
• Mows lawn areas and ensures grounds remain aesthetically maintained through proper watering, cutting, fertilizing, and routine turf care.
• Plants, transplants, and fertilizes a variety of shrubs, flowers, grasses, and trees suited to the campus landscape.
• Considers seasonal schedules, weather conditions, soil moisture, and plant growth stages when determining timing and methods for gardening tasks.
• Calculates quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizers, and other materials needed for assigned work areas.
• Prepares soil using proper mixtures of sand, humus, topsoil, and fertilizers according to provided instructions.
• Places seeds, bulbs, and plants at correct depths to ensure proper establishment and prevent root damage; harvests, labels, and stores seeds and bulbs for future use.
• Trims and prunes trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants to maintain shape, remove excess growth, and support healthy development.
• Performs tree pruning to maintain balance between roots and upper growth and support overall plant health.

Work Schedule:
Tuesday to Saturday 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM, 11:00 PM - 7:30 AM or
Sunday to Thursday 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM, 11:00 PM - 7:30 AM or
Monday to Friday 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM, 11:00 PM - 7:30 AM
*Note-Exact TOD for this position will be discussed during the interview and may be adjusted to meet the facility/dept needs.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD07501A

Conditions of employment

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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)

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 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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. Screen out is the ability to perform Gardner duties without more than normal supervision. Duties include doing seasonal gardening, lawn mowing, planting a variety of of shrubs, flowers, grasses and trees, considering the seasonal schedules or project plans for the area, suitability of the weather, degree of moisture in the soil and stage of plant growth, figuring quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizer and other materials needed for specific areas, preparing soil from instructions on the proper mixture of such materials as sand, humus, topsoil and fertilizer, trimming and pruning trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. to shape and remove excess growth and adjusting irrigation, fertilization and mineral content of soil to meet the requirements and characteristics of each type of plant, tree, shrub, or grass. 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 (other than 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: Must be physically fit, as work requires prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing mowers, carts, edgers, wheelbarrows, etc. They must climb ladders in order to trim and prune. Employee must occasionally lift and carry heavy objects (weighing approximately 50 pounds) and frequently lift and carry moderately heavy objects weighing up to 40 pounds, such as bags of fertilizer containers of chemicals, trash bags, sod etc. Their work involves pulling, climbing and working with hands above the head.

Working Conditions:
Work is done outside or in a greenhouse. In working outside, the gardener is subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes to chilly or rainy weather. Being exposed to dirt, dust, mud, and sometimes to chemical sprays and dusts, they may wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety shoes, and boots. There is chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes and occasional possibility of broken bones from falls. Employee works with power equipment such as, but not limited to push mowers, power edgers, trimmers, chain saws, brush clippers, tractor mowers, street sweepers, etc. and is exposed to engine noise, heat and possible airborne debris.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Other Federal employees
4. All other applicants.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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