What are the responsibilities and job description for the Gardener(Tractor Operator) position at SD Department of Veterans Affairs?
Incumbent is charged with overseeing all gardening & gardening-related tasks at the Ft Harrison Veterans Administration Medical Center. Performs a wide range of gardening work on their own. Consults gardening books or catalogues regarding physical characteristics of plants & individual plant requirements. Recommends changes for improvement in the overall landscape plan & obtains approval on projects which require unplanned expense or significant periods of time.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/16/2026.
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:
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: The work requires the expenditure of a high degree of physical and mental effort in the preparation of and the utilization of sod, flower beds and various lawn equipment. Incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune trees, and frequently lifts objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc., up to and including 100 lbs. The gardening and tree farm tasks require considerable walking, stooping, climbing and lifting. In addition, position requires more work involving climbing ladders and stretching to reach tree limbs.
Working Conditions: Incumbent will be subject to long hours in cold, snow, wet weather, hot weather, dust, pollen exposure and insect stings. Also, is subject to injury from lifting, handling toxic materials such as chemical over-spray and from the hazards of operating high power lawn maintenance equipment.Education:There is no education substitution at this grade level.Employment Type: OTHER
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. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
- Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Dexterity (Assembly, Disassembly, Reassembly, etc.)
- 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: The work requires the expenditure of a high degree of physical and mental effort in the preparation of and the utilization of sod, flower beds and various lawn equipment. Incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune trees, and frequently lifts objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc., up to and including 100 lbs. The gardening and tree farm tasks require considerable walking, stooping, climbing and lifting. In addition, position requires more work involving climbing ladders and stretching to reach tree limbs.
Working Conditions: Incumbent will be subject to long hours in cold, snow, wet weather, hot weather, dust, pollen exposure and insect stings. Also, is subject to injury from lifting, handling toxic materials such as chemical over-spray and from the hazards of operating high power lawn maintenance equipment.Education:There is no education substitution at this grade level.Employment Type: OTHER
Salary : $33