This position is located within the Facility Maintenance Service at the VA Medical Center, Syracuse, New York.

Qualifications:

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR

(SCREEN-OUT): A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is : Requires a current/valid State Driver's License.

NOTE:

We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.

SCREEN-OUT

Requires the ability to perform the duties of a Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator) without more than normal supervision.

Examples of experience includes:

working in a Commercial/Industrial setting, operating a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered equipment (e.g., self-propelled mowers; week whackers, vacuum, leaf blower, garden tractor, power sweeper); operating snow removal equipment with large PTO attachments (e.g., 445 tractor with slow blade; 10 HP snow blower; 4-wheel drive 3/4-ton truck with snow plow/controls; etc.); policing lawns before mowing to remove dead trees/flowers and other debris; planning/preparing seasonal tasks to prepare soil and fertilizing, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming, etc. and applying chemicals to plants; and maintain the cleanliness of equipment and tools.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS

Must be able to perform tasks necessitating heavy physical effort such as frequent lifting and moving of objects weighing 80 pounds, such as fertilizer, grass seed, rock salt and melt. Frequent running, walking, standing, bending, stooping and pushing of carts and wheelbarrows. Occasionally climbing ladders to prune or trim vegetation. Performs heavy physical effort when operating all types of vehicles for gardening , snow removal and cleaning medical center grounds. Must work outside for long periods in hot sun, rain, snow and below freezing weather. The incumbent is exposed to dirt, dust, mud and chemical sprays and dusts and must wear protective clothing such as gloves, eye protection, dust masks, safety shoes and boots.

The incumbent must be available for emergencies such as inclement weather, major utility failure, floods and other similar emergencies and be subject to call back. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications . For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision

IMPORTANT

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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). 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.