Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

This position is located in in the Environmental Management Service (EMS) at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Subject to physical exertion due to frequent walking, standing, bending, and stooping required for the various grounds duties. Climbing of ladders is required to prune and trim trees. Frequently lifts and moves objects weighing over 50 pounds and may operate push-type power mowers on grades. Pushes heavy equipment including push mowers and wheelbarrows. Occasionally requires working on lifts for cleaning gutters of building and on scaffolding, etc.

Work is generally performed outdoors in all kinds of weather including extreme heat, rain, freezing conditions, and snow. Work is dirty, dusty, and noisy. Subject to machinery hazards and requires special care to avoid serious injury. Must utilize proper PPE. There is the potential for falls, bruises, cuts, and occasional broken bones, and there is potential exposure to chemicals. 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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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 volunteer experience.