GARDENER (MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR)

Duties

THE HOURLY RATE FOR THIS POSITION IS:  $ 19.43- $ 22.67

The primary purpose is: to plan and perform seasonal gardening and grounds maintenance duties. The position requires the use of motor vehicles and tractors. Additionally, as required by the supervisor, passes instructions and assigns immediate tasks to Federal inmates.

 MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Plans and carries out gardening work according to the schedule or project assignment, keeping within the framework of established gardening practices.

2. Performs grounds maintenance work, such as mowing, weeding, watering, pruning, and trimming, selecting and applying established gardening methods.

3. Uses and maintains a variety of hand and power operated garden tools and equipment, such as seeders, spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, sprayer, spades, hoes, rakes, and mowers.

4. Operates a farm-type tractor and towed or attached equipment on level or rolling terrain, such as open fields, parks, orchards, lawns, and along roadways.

5. Determines equipment operations for maneuvering over level or rolling terrain that are appropriate to the operating characteristics of the tractor and towed or attached equipment.

6. Drives one or more types of light trucks which typically have a gross vehicle weight 9GVW) of up to 10,000 pounds, such as pick-up trucks, panel trucks, flatbed trucks, carryalls, and sedans to transport materials and equipment.

7. Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C; for additional information click here.  Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must meet any screen-out element(s) listed, and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which applying.  Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

 

The screen out element for this position is ability to do the work of a Gardner (Motor Vehicle Operator), WG-5003-06, without more than normal supervision.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):  Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 

1.Knowledge of seasonal gardening tasks such as preparing seedbeds, fertilizing, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming, and applying chemicals to plants; and grounds maintenance, such as mowing grass and trimming trees and shrubs.

2. Knowledge of safety practices and procedures including traffic and safety regulations, practices, and procedures pertaining to motor vehicle and farm-type tractor operation, cargo handling, and load hauling.

3. Skill in using and maintaining hand and power tools, such as seeders, spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, sprayers, spades, hoes, rakes, and mowers.

4. Skill in operating one or more gasoline, diesel, or electric powered wheeled vehicles with a GVW of up to 10,000 pounds such as pick-up trucks, panel trucks, flatbed trucks, carryalls, sedans, crew cab pick-up trucks, jeeps, and station wagons; performing preventive maintenance on any vehicle operated; and loading, handling and hauling tools, equipment, and other cargo (while safeguarding and protecting cargo).

5. Skill in operating a variety of tractors to include manipulating equipment controls simultaneously; adjusting equipment for various job requirements; and judging clearances, heights, and turning angles of tractor and towed vehicles/equipment.

6. Ability to recognize common plant diseases, plant insects, and unusual or poor plant growth.

7. Ability to follow instructions, work orders, and specifications related to gardening, motor vehicle and tractor equipment.

 

 

 

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE**:** Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.  You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:  Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.