Gardener

Summary This position is located in the Facilities Management Service at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and supports year round grounds maintenance, landscaping, irrigation, snow removal operations, and related facility functions. The incumbent maintains outdoor grounds and landscaped areas, operates equipment and vehicles, performs seasonal irrigation tasks, and supports winter operations and other assigned duties that contribute to a safe, clean, and well maintained medical center environment. Responsibilities Major duties include but not limited to: Maintains lawns, landscaped areas, garden beds, and natural grounds throughout the medical center. Plants, transplants, and maintains trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials, selecting appropriate species based on site conditions, hardiness, and seasonal requirements. Prunes, shapes, trims, removes, or replaces trees and shrubs as needed for safety, plant health, or appearance. Prepares soil, installs sod, and resolves difficult growth problems using appropriate landscaping techniques including ground covers, edging, rock, and slope treatments. Applies fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and related products following established safety procedures and regulatory guidelines. Inspects plants for signs of disease, infestation, or environmental stress and performs corrective actions. Assists with seasonal start up, operation, troubleshooting, and shut down of the facility irrigation system. Performs routine maintenance and minor repairs on irrigation components to ensure reliable operation. Operates grounds maintenance equipment such as mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, pruners, leaf blowers, wood chippers, hand tools, and related power equipment. Operates government vehicles, including pickups, vans, and trucks, to transport tools, equipment, supplies, and materials on and off station. Performs snowplowing and sanding during winter operations and supports road repair activities as assigned. Removes snow and ice from sidewalks, building entrances, roadways, and parking lots. Provides routine care for small game birds housed on the grounds. Performs laundry pick up and delivery when laborer coverage is insufficient due to leave, illness, or other staffing gaps. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, some weekend and holiday work may be required. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD656-90380A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Requirements 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) Current, valid, unrestricted driver's license required 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, 08/31/2026. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments 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: Performs frequent walking, standing, bending, lifting, stooping, and climbing associated with grounds and landscaping work. Lifts and carries tools, materials, and equipment up to 50 pounds. Working Conditions: Works outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow. Exposed to dust, noise, fumes, chemicals, and hazards associated with working around power equipment, heavy tools, and snow removal operations.Works indoors for shop support, equipment maintenance, and administrative tasks. Works at elevated heights using aerial lifts during tree maintenance and other grounds activities, requiring use of safety harnesses and fall protection equipment. Education There is no educational substitution for this position. Additional Information 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.