Groundskeeper

Summary

The incumbent is responsible for the overall appearance and maintenance of the external grounds and facilities of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO. Performs seasonal gardening 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.

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Duties

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Lawn/Grounds Maintenance: 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 Sulphur to achieve a proper Ph balance (alkaline or acidity) in soils for specific plants. S/he must 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. Through aeration and top dressing, reduces turf disease and water usage while promoting a more vigorous lawn with fewer weeds. Diagnoses gardening problems and records corrective procedures used, including any new processes applied and the results achieved and takes corrective action. Manages growth of both ornamental and functional turf and herbaceous plantings. The incumbent 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.

Equipment Operation/Maintenance: 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, tractor with implements, snow removal equipment, etc. Backhoes, and front-end loaders are used to push, pull, pile, or load materials such as sand, gravel, earth, or refuse. For example, the operator 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. May occasionally drive a cargo van and pick-up truck with a dump bed which have a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds and up to 26,000 pounds.

Pruning: 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. Reshapes to maintain a natural form using sealants and bark tracing to stimulate flow of healing sap and growth of new tissue over cuts. When areas of trees are diseased, determines what pest or disease is causing the issue and hollows the area in the tree for proper drainage and/or uses proper chemical compounds for the specific condition of the plant.

Labor: 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. Reshapes to maintain a natural form using sealants and bark tracing to stimulate flow of healing sap and growth of new tissue over cuts. When areas of trees are diseased, determines what pest or disease is causing the issue and hollows the area in the tree for proper drainage and/or uses proper chemical compounds for the specific condition of the plant.

Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm (Excluding Federal Holidays

Position Description Title/PD#: Groundskeeper/PD10361A

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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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 ( 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, 09/01/2026.

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:

• 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: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. The gardener occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim shrubs and trees and frequently lifts heavy objects, such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc. Incumbent uses heavy physical effort in constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to manipulate different sets of controls in operating the equipment and attachments. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces.

Working Conditions: Work is performed outside, and the incumbent is subject to discomfort for long periods of time in heat, sun, cold, rainy, or snowy weather conditions. The incumbent is exposed to dust, dirt, mud, snow, ice, and sometimes to chemical products during their application. Required to wear protective PPE clothing, such as gloves, safety shoes, goggles, hearing protection, and boots at all times. There is a chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Incumbent works in all types of weather, often in an open driver's seat or platform, on hills, or slopes. The position is also subject to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from motor exhaust. The position also works in indoor areas that may be dusty, drafty, and noisy, and is subject to discomfort from standing on damp concrete floors for short periods of time while loading or stacking materials. Work assignments routinely require walking, squatting, and/or kneeling for long periods of time. The equipment, tools, and task involved at this level frequently require special care to avoid serious injuries.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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 applicant's 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.

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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.

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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.