Gardener Leader

The Gardener Work Leader, WL-5003-6 is assigned to the Grounds and Transportation Unit within the Engineering Service of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN Health Care System. The incumbent serves as the Head Gardener and Grounds and Transportation Unit Work Leader under the direct supervision of the Supervisor Gardener.

Major duties

Duties include but not limited too: The Head Gardener/Work Leader leads ten or more workers including WG-8 Automotive Mechanic, WG-6 Gardener, WG-6 Motor Vehicle Operator, WG-4 Gardener and WG-2 Laborer to accomplish Grounds and TraRsportation Unit duties and assignments. Performs work alongside unit employees, coordinates schedules, and assigns all grounds maintenance work. Follows local and national safety rules·and guidelines, including those pertaining to grounds and transportation safety and those of the Joint Commission, EPA, OSHA, CEOSH, and other agencies. Provides assistance to the Supervisor to maintain a grounds maintenance program . Assists the Supervisor in overseeing this program to ensure all equipment and within the area of assigned responsibility are maintained according to the established guidelines and include appropriate documentation. Ensures that performance contributes to, and directly supports, the performance measures established by the VISN or organizational goals of the medical center. Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established work practices, assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, and assure that each employee has enough work to keep busy. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work and makes day- to- day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs which cannot be disposed of promptly. Estimates and reports on expected time of completion of wo??, and maintains records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepares production reports as requested. Instructs employees in specific tasks ahd job techniques and makes available written instructions, reference materials and supplies. Gives on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up. Checks on work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review (e. g., filing or direct services) and reviews completed work to see that supervisor's instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met. Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, etc. Approves leave for a few hours or for emergencies. Informs employees of available services and employee activities. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees, and refers others to supervisor. Reports to supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems. Provides information to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance, and personnel needs. Plans and carries out projects from initial layout to completion. On occasion when the Supervisor is absent, plans daily and weekly work schedules from work orders. Works with the Supervisor to specify personnel needed, time required to perform job, equipment, and materials required for individual work orders. Obtains supplies and materials for the work unit to complete each assigned task. Determines work sequence. Assigns the immediate tasks to be performed by work unit employees. Gets work started. Works along with other workers and sets the pace. Demonstrates proper work methods. Ensures that needed plans, blueprints, materials, and tools are available, and that needed stock is obtained from supply locations. Obtains needed information or decisions from the Supervisor on problems that come up during work. Ensures there is enough work to keep everyone busy. Checks work while in progress and when finished to ensure the Supervisor's instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines are met. Advises other workers to follow instructions received from the Supervisor and to meet deadlines. Assures that safety and housekeeping rules are followed. For example, assures that limits of safe machine operation are not exceeded and that all tools are used properly. Reports to the Supervisor on status and progress of work, and causes of work delays. Answers questions of the Supervisor on overall work operations and problems, to include those concerning additional on-the-job training requirements far individual employees. Inspects work during progress and upon completion. Reports on work accomplished, time spent, materials used, status, and progress of work, causes for delays, etc. Work Schedule: Friday to Monday 6:45am to 5:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener Leader/PD602690 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2026. 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: Ability to Lead or Supervise Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety 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/Working Conditions: Work will be performed over 250 acres and, as such, requires frequent walking, and the use of a tractor for transportation of equipment and materials. Frequent bending, stooping, and standing are required due to the nature of the work. The The Head Gardener/Work Leader will climb ladders to prune, plant material, or perform tasks such as placing Christmas lights. Incumbent will be required to lift heavy objects such as fertilizer, salt; plant material and maneuver loaded wheelbarrows. The majority of work is done outdoors. The Head Gardener/Work Leader will be subject to discomfort from long periods of heat and humidity, cold, wind, rain and snow, and will perform responsibilities with minimum interruption under these conditions. Incumbent will be exposed to chemical sprays and dusts. Employee will be provided protective clothing and equipment such as gloves, respirator, safety shoes and boots. The work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and stooping.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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 identification 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.