Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator) - Direct Hire Authority Job in Hanscom AFB, MA

Vacancy No. AFMC-5003-03-12680666-SRC Department Air Force Materiel Command
Salary $31.03 to $36.20 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/30/2025 Close Date 2/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Hanscom AFB, MA


Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to promote mission readiness by ensuring suitable housing is made available for military members and their families, unaccompanied military personnel, and eligible civilians through government provided assets and cooperation with private developers, property owners, and managers

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

  • Plans and carries out gardening work based on project plans, master landscape, and long-range plans, making independent judgments within the framework of good gardening practices. Recommends plants for particular purposes, such as shade, boundary lines, ground cover, erosion control, or pleasing appearance. Slopes and plants terraces and sods steep banks or heavy traffic patterns that involve difficult holding and growth problems. In transplanting, selects the location for best plant growth and development considering soil conditions, hardiness of plants, foliage at various stages of growth, flowering periods, and the overall landscape plan.
  • Performs grounds maintenance to trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and lawns, taking into consideration the individual
    needs and/or characteristics. Mows and trims grass evenly; weeds flower beds; and waters lawn, nursery, and plants
    using surface, root, and heat methods. Prunes/trims shrubs and trees to obtain a proper balance between roots and top
    growth, to modify or retain the natural form, and to increase fruit and flower productions. Reshapes tree wounds by bark
    tracing to stimulate the flow of healing sap and growth of tissue over the wound.
  • Uses and maintains a variety of hand and power operated garden tools and equipment, such as seeders,
    spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, sprayers, spades, hoes, rakes, and mowers. Washes,
    cleans, oils, sharpens, lubricates, and performs minor maintenance on equipment.
  • Operates a variety of gasoline, diesel, or electric powered wheeled vehicles, such as platform trucks, van trucks,
    stake trucks, or dump trucks, which typically have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 10,000 and up to
    26,000 pounds. Transports materials and equipment primarily within the confines of a military installation or under other
    limited driving conditions (low speeds, regular predetermined routes, etc.).
  • Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a
    safe and clean work environment. Uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing. Follows
    federal and state rules when storing, using, handling, labeling, and disposing of hazardous materials and waste in
    accordance with environmental standards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • A security clearance may be required
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • Recruitment incentives may be authorized
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Emergency overtime may be required. May be required to be available after duty hours when problems arise.
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • The work will require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. A valid motor vehicle operator’s license is required to drive an automobile to and from projects/meetings on and off base.
  • May be required to train and/or guide lower grade employees.
  • Hand, foot, and eye coordination, good depth perception and a high degree of concentration are required in handling and manipulating controls to perform the work of this position
  • This position requires a physical/medical examination
  • Comply with all Health and Safety guidelines and requirements for Federal employment.
  • May be required to serve on Architectural and Engineering selection boards or construction contract/privatization source selection boards.
  • Probationary period may be required

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-5000 - Plant And Animal Work Family Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed, and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

The screen out element for this position is The screen out element for this position is Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision

JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen Out)
Technical Practices: theoretical precise, artistic
Use of Measuring Instruments
Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications; other than blueprints
Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
Knowledge of Materials
Dexterity and Safety

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additoinal Information:

Mows and trims grass evenly; weeds flower beds; and waters lawn, nursery, and plants using surface, root, and heat methods. Prunes/trims shrubs and trees to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth, to modify or retain the natural form, and to increase fruit and flower productions. Reshapes tree wounds by bark tracing to stimulate the flow of healing sap and growth of tissue over the wound. When large areas of a tree are diseased or injured, hollows the area so that it will drain properly. Recommends or applies proper chemical compounds for specific conditions based on the type of pest or tree disease and age of tree. Recognizes and controls infrequent plant diseases, cold damage, and mineral deficiencies. Selects, mixes, and uses fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides for treatment/control of common plant diseases (e.g., molds, brown spot, rusts, blight, and mildew), plant insects (e.g., leaf miners, scale, borers, and slug), and weeds. May also spray or dust with these chemicals according to instructions. Rakes and disposes of clippings, leaves, and twigs prior to leaving job site.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

This job announcment will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

All Federal Wage Schedule (FWS) applicants must complete the assessment questionnaire in its entirety or it will result in an ineligible rating. Applicants who meet the requirements for and apply as a non-competitive eligible that meet minimal qualifications and other requirements of this position, will be given consideration as a non-competitive candidate and will be referred unless blocked by an individual with priority/preference.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

  1. Online Application: Questionnaire
  2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. WG-8852-10. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. To ensure full consideration of your experience and education we encourage you to use the USAJOBS resume builder to prepare your resume or to guide you in preparing your resume. See http://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Tutorials-Resume.pdf for more information.
  3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
  • Branch of Armed Forces
  • Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
  • Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/07/2025

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12680666

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

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

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Address
AF Life Cycle Management Center
2000 Allbrook Drive
Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements