Tractor Operator (Gardener/Motor Vehicle Operator)

Full Job Description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Positions in the Competitive Service to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: The Tractor Operator (Gardener/Motor Vehicle Operator) position is located with the Directorate of Public Works at Fort Riley, KS.

Who May Apply: US Citizens 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. There is no specific length of training or experience required.

However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Tractor Operator (Gardener/Motor Vehicle Operator) ~ without more than normal supervision.

Use pull saws, pruning shears, and mowers to maintain shrubs, plants and grassed areas - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

Physical Effort: Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, and stretching to reach tree limbs.

Requires arm and leg dexterity to operate tractor controls, equipment control and the motor vehicle.

May also be required to lift and handle items weighing 50 to 100 pounds such as bags of fertilizer, seed, bags of cement, large tree limbs. Lifts and aligns marker stones weighing 200 pounds or more.

Working Conditions: Work is usually performed outside with exposure to various weather conditions such as sun, wind, showers, sudden storms, snow, ice, extreme cold etc.

Is exposed to dirt, dust, chemical sprays, mud, concrete and water. Subject to cuts, scrapes, bruises and possible serious injury from power equipment such as mowers, chain saws and falls from trees.

Safety shoes, glasses, helmet, belts, ropes, ear muffs and ear plugs will be worn. Major Duties:

• Serve as a tree maintenance worker in the Grounds Maintenance Section using chain saws, pole saws, pruning shears, etc. to perform tree and shrub maintenance duties.
• Operate both a mini tractor (Hustler) and/or field type tractor with attachments to accomplish grounds maintenance.
• Perform duties at the Fort Riley Cemetery such as hand digging graves, setting headstones, mowing, etc.
• Performs tree pruning work such as; trimming, tree removal, planting and transplanting, damage repair, and treating diseased and decaying trees. Drives vehicles up to 5-10 tons.