Gardener

Summary

This position is located at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

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Duties

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The Gardener performs seasonal gardening tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming and applying chemicals according to specific directions. Transplants, aerates, prunes and trims a variety of plants, seeds, and plant materials using developing knowledge of seasonal schedules, project plans, weather suitability, soil moisture and plant growth stages. Reviews seasonal planting schedules and project plans, compares with the suitability of weather conditions, moisture in the soil and stage of plant growth, before deciding to plant. Determines quantities of plants, and fertilizer to be used, selects appropriate chemicals to control common plant diseases, insects and weeds. The Gardner prepares the soil for plants, seeds, thins, transplants, trims, prunes, fertilizers, mulches, sprays, dust grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees using independent judgment and decision making. Incumbent prepares new planting areas. Employee is required to maintain a current state pesticide/herbicide license if required by the state the facility is located in.

Work schedule : May be required to work Monday through Friday to include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available

Position Description Title/PD# : Gardener/ PD135640

The full performance level of this position is WG - 08.

Relocation Expenses : Not Authorized

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report : Not Required

If interested in applying for this position you may preview the online application:

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must possess a valid REAL ID compliant state driver's license.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,09/11/2026.

Your background must demonstrate the potential in preparing soil for plants, seeding, thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, and dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees.

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 Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C (

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.

The screen-out element(s) for this position are/is:

• Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision.
• Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID compliant state driver's license.

JOB ELEMENTS: Those who meet the minimum level of experience and training for the screen-out element will then be evaluated in each of the following job elements:

• Technical Practices
• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials

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: This position requires moderate to heavy physical effort with reaching, bending, turning and moving hands, arms, feet and legs to operate different controls on various types of equipment. Work requires frequent bending stooping, kneeling, walking and exposure to constant vibrations and jolting caused by movement of equipment over uneven and rough terrain and running of other power tools. Position may require lifting and moving weight exceeding 50 pounds with or without assistance.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in all types of weather, ranging from hot and humid to wet, windy and cold. Working conditions also include dust, dirt, mud and water. The incumbent will be exposed to chemicals and pesticides. Wearing of safety shoes at all times and personal protectiveequipment (PPE) as required bythe labels of theseproducts ismandatory. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing. Wearing hearing protection that will contain the noise level of 85dBA or below is mandatory while operating equipment. While wearing hearing protection devices, the employee must still be able to hear at a level to perform duties in a safe manner

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

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.

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

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.