Gardener Tractor Operator Leader

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as Equipment Operator Leader for all field activities where he/she also operates wheel-mounted tractors and towed or attached equipment.

This position oversees all ground maintenance activities including observing and reporting problems with contractors.

This position is also responsible for moving and installation of office furniture and equipment at the main campus and outpatient clinics.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/03/2026.

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: Lead or Supervise Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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: Moderate to heavy exertion is required in daily operations, to include attaching orremoving implements from tractors.

Work requires arm and leg movement to manipulate equipment controls. Incumbent will be exposed to frequent walking, kneeling, stooping, bending, and lifting in excess of 40 pounds.

Work is primarily performed outdoors under prevailing weather conditions, which may result in exposure to cold, rain, fog, heat, sun, and dampness.

Incumbent will also be exposed to dirt, dust, and mud in the performance of duties. Incumbent must exercise care and caution in performing duties to avoid injury to self or fellow employees.

Incumbent will perform assigned task and duties in a safe manner in accordance with the Department of Veterans Affairs, OSHA regulations, and policies and procedures. Major Duties:

Major duties include, but not limited to: Direct employees working in the Grounds Section which includes

Tractor Operator,

Gardeners, and

Laborers and 16 Compensated Work Therapy workers that rotate or change every six months.

Distributes and balances workload among employees orally and through the work order system and establishes daily work flow. Prioritizes work order requests for emergency and patient care areas.

Passes on work instructions received from supervisor by assigning immediate tasks, sequence and priority of work, and making adjustments as necessary to maintain deadlines and unexpected delays.

Insures that needed plans, materials, equipment, and tools are available. Monitors and maintain records of work in progress and work accomplished.

Checks subordinate work for compliance with supervisor instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines.

Trains new employees in accordance with proper operation and safety of all grounds equipment and on established procedures and practices.

Answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives and technical orders.

Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up during work.

Provides information to supervisor as requested concerning status of assignments, progress of work, cause of delays, overall work operations and problems, additional job training requirements for individual employees, employee conduct problems, information about promotions and reassignments, recognition of outstanding performance, disciplinary action recommendations, and personal needs.

Ensures safety rules are followed and that proper safety equipment is operational and machine capacities are not exceeded.

Approves emergency leave and informs employees of available services and employee activities. Act as the supervisor in the absence of Operations Supervisor.

Incumbent uses initiative in carrying out daily and recurring assignments independently without specific instructions for daily grounds maintenance.

Works with employees, sets the pace for work assignments, and performs a variety of gardener work and grounds maintenance.

Maintain all landscaping including feeding, spraying, cutting, seeding, planting, trimming trees on all areas of a 164-acre campus.

Design new landscaping after construction projects are complete, planting trees, shrubs, and flowers. Installs and repairs irrigation systems.

Operate all equipment to maintain the grounds such as tractors, trucks, plows, front-end loaders, back-hoes, and skid loaders.

Makes minor adjustments and performs operator maintenance on equipment operated. Assists in transporting patients, supplies, equipment, and other item. Assists in scheduling and moving furniture.

Carries and moves furniture from one designated location to another. Unloads and installs furniture at designated locations in the main campus and at outpatient clinics.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardner - Tractor Operator Leader/7991-O Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized