Gardener (Tractor Operator)
Job Location:
Marion, IA - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position functions as a Tractor Operator for the Marion VA Medical Center Marion IL within the Maintenance and Operations section (M&O) of the Engineering Service.
MAJOR DUTIES
Operates equipment used in landscape maintenance and turf management.
Safely operates motorized equipment and vehicles such as riding and push-type lawn mowers soil aerator sod cutter weed eaters power trim edgers chain saws hedge trimmers axes street cleaners backhoe farm-type tractor with implements snow removal equipment skid loaders fork trucks dump trucks etc. Backhoes and front-end loaders are used to push pull pile or load materials such as sand gravel earth or refuse.
Uses equipment which is fitted with a front-end loader to maneuver to a specific spot to transfer material; adjusts the attachments for proper level angle or depth according to the work to be done.
Work is performed on rolling or sloped terrain.
Performs small engine repair sharpens blades and performs preventative maintenance to include inspecting maintaining and replacing belts hoses filters fuel lines and greasing equipment.
Responsible for the overall appearance and maintenance of the external grounds and facilities of the Marion VA Medical Center in Marion IL.
Performs seasonal tasks such as fertilizing seeding cutting grass laying sod aerating lawns and general pruning and care of trees shrubs and plants.
Performs pruning trees and shrubs to maintain proper balance between root and top growth to keep natural shape.
Removes defects and excess branches using man lifts for tree trimming and shaping to eliminate damage to buildings fences and other property but maintaining natural shape.
Plans and carries out gardening work based on project plans master landscape long-range facility plans and supervisor guidance 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.
Performs gardening and grounds keeping tasks such as fertilizing preparing seed beds and grounds for planting seeding laying sod aerating planting transplanting pruning trimming and applying pesticides and herbicides to plants turf flowers and trees considering individual needs of specific plants to have a healthy growing media. Increases or decreases mineral content with lime calcium salt and sulfur to achieve a proper Ph balance (alkaline or acidity) in soils for specific plants. They consider weather moisture in the soil and stage of plant growth and calculates quantities of plants seeds fertilizer and other landscaping materials.
Selects and mixes fungicides insecticides and herbicides for the control of common plant diseases insects and weeds.
Operates weed sprayers both towed and handheld to apply herbicides and other chemical treatments for weed control on lawns landscapes. Cuts vegetation and clears land via snow and bush hogging.
Prepares equipment by mixing and loading chemicals according to safety procedures and manufacturer instructions.
Performs heavy and burdensome labor tasks necessary for the maintenance of grounds such as building and correctly sloping plant terraces and applying sod on steep slopes with staples to prevent sod from slipping until a root base can be established.
Removes debris of grass after mowing weeding parking islands and plant beds rakes leaves sweeps and general clean-up of grounds.
Maintains and replaces fence posts and signage as needed.
Drives a pick-up truck with a dump bed which have a gross vehicle weight of more than 10000 pounds and up to 26000 pounds.
Operates and performs routine maintenance on electric-powered wheeled vehicles such as utility carts lawn mowers to support grounds and facility. Responsible for snow and ice removal on facility grounds and may have to work irregular hours to ensure snow and ice is removed in a timely manner to mitigate safety risks to employees and patients.
Utilizes and sets up/removes a plow attached to a truck to spread gravel across parking lots and driveways smooth out the ground fill holes and low spots with dirt and plow snow.
Responsible for salting or utilizing ice melt products on sidewalks and on all entrances to the main facility to all out-buildings and to all roads within facility grounds.
Responsible for minor renovations to include asphalt topping and maintenance of curbs.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: M-F 7:00am-3:30pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener (Tractor Operator)/PD10526A
- 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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)
- 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.
To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/27/2026.
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. 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:
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/Working Conditions:
Work requires frequent walking standing bending reaching pushing carts and wheelbarrows bending and stooping. The gardener occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim shrubs and trees and frequently lifts heavy objects up to 50 pounds such as bags of fertilizer grass seed etc.
Connects and disconnects tractor from heavy towed equipment. Incumbent uses heavy physical effort in constantly reaching bending turning and moving hands arms feet and legs to simultaneously manipulate different sets of controls when operating tractor equipment and attachments.
Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
