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Summary The position is established in the Grounds Section of Facilities Management Service at VA SORCC, White City, Oregon. Provides gardening and general labor services to the facility. Responsibilities Major Duties: Performs other related duties as assigned. Transplants, Aerates, Prunes, & Trims Performs seasonal gardening tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming and applying chemical 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. Measures, Mixes & Applies Selects, measures, mixes, and applies fertilizers and chemical control agents to control common plant diseases, insects, and weeds. Prepares, Roots, Grafts, Layers, & Documents Prepares, roots, grafts, layers, and documents soil beds, plants, seedlings, cuttings and seeds using knowledge of correct conditions (chemical composition, depth, moisture, temperature, humidity, and ventilation requirements to encourage germination and growth.) Performs gardening work (i.e., preparing soil for plants, seeding, thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, and dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees) with little or no review of completed work required. Transplants, Aerates, Prunes & Trims 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, seeds, fertilizer to be used. Independently prepares nursery and cold frame beds. Selects appropriate chemicals to control common plant diseases, insects and weeds. Transplants, aerates, prunes, and trims a wide variety of unusual plants, seeds, and plant materials using knowledge and techniques including slope stabilization, proper growing conditions, and climate to achieve required results. Prunes and trims unusual plant conditions, difficult repairs, or plant extensive damage. Propagates and cultivates wide variety of unusual plants, seeds and plant materials considering individual needs and characteristics of plants, such as mineral content of soil. Prunes and trims using advanced techniques to stimulate plant healing, reshape trees/shrubs, and increase fruit/flower production. Selects, Measures, Mixes & Applies Fertilizers Selects, measures, mixes, and applies fertilizers and chemical control agents by adjusting soil conditions (pH) to provide required growth conditions. Prepares, Roots, Grafts, Layers, & Documents Uses project plans, master landscape, and long range plans making judgments within good gardening practices to achieve required results. Performs gardening work (i.e., preparing soil for plants, seeding, thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, and dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees) using independent judgment and decisions. Propagates & Cultivates Adjusts mineral content of the soil. Slopes and plants terraces and transplants a wide variety of grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees. Makes independent judgments based on information contained in long-range landscape plans. Propagates and cultivates wide variety of unusual plants, seeds, and plant materials considering individual needs and characteristics of plants, such as mineral content of soil. Uses project plans, master landscape, and long range plans. Selects, measures, mixes, and applies fertilizers and chemical control agents using various foliage feeding, root feeding, and soil additive techniques. Selects, measures, mixes, and applies by adjusting soil conditions (pH) to provide required growth conditions. Prunes & Trims Prunes and trims unusual plant conditions, difficult repairs, or plant extensive damage. Preferred Experience: Performs a variety of functions to maintain and improve the overall appearance of the grounds at the White City VA Medical Center. Requires an elevated level of understanding of gardening/horticulture techniques, mechanical knowledge, irrigation design and maintenance, and the ability to operate and maintain equipment safely and independently, to ensure successful completion of tasks. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD021670 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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 You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/31/2025. 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 ability to do the position of a Gardener without more than normal supervision. This includes ability to use and maintains tools of the Gardener's trade in a safe and effective working condition. Knowledge of plant characteristics so as to be able to identify, correct and/or prevent such problems as nutrient imbalances, pest infestations, poor drainage, crowding and improper lighting. Knowledge of basic landscaping concepts and procedures so as to be able to make recommendations for improvements and to implement landscape plans. Ability to create a yearly grounds maintenance management plan and submit to supervisor for review and discussion. Ability and knowledge to maintain, install irrigation systems and implement in a landscape plan. This position has a Selective Placement Factor: Failure to meet a selective placement factor will result in you not receiving further consideration. In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following selective placement factor: Applicants MUST have a current valid state issued driver's license. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision 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: Frequent walking, standing, pushing, bending, stooping. Frequently lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer and grass seed. Working Conditions: Frequent walking, standing, pushing, bending, stooping. Frequently lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer and grass seed. Education There is no educational substitution at this wage level. Additional Information 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. 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.