Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Summary
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position, Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator), WG-5003-06, is to plan and perform seasonal gardening and grounds maintenance duties. The position requires the use of MOTOR VEHICLEs and tractors.
Duty Title: Grounds Maintenance Journeyman
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Family of overseas employees
  Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.
• Land & base management
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
Eligible NAF employees are considered under Hiring Path - "Federal employees-Excepted service"
Videos
Duties

• Plan and carry out gardening work according to the schedule or project assignment, keeping within the framework of established gardening practices.
• Perform grounds maintenance work, such as mowing, weeding, watering, pruning, and trimming, selecting and applying established gardening methods.
• Use and maintain a variety of hand and power operated garden tools and equipment, such as seeders, spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, sprayers, spades, hoes, rakes, and mowers.
• Operate a farm-type tractor and towed or attached equipment on level or rolling terrain, such as open fields, parks, orchards, lawns, and along roadways.
• Determine equipment operations for maneuvering over level or rolling terrain that are appropriate to the operating characteristics of the tractor and towed or attached equipment.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• This position may require travel.
• Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
• The work requires the employee to drive a MOTOR VEHICLE. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position.
• May be required to participate in mobility exercises.
• PHYSICAL: This position requires a pre-employment physical.

Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-5000 Plant And Animal Work Family. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element 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 you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.
The screen out element for this position is Ability to Do the Work of the Position Without More Than Normal Supervision.
JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Technical Practices: theoretical precise, artistic
2. Use of Measuring Instruments
3. Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications; other than blueprints
4. Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
5. Knowledge of Materials
6. Dexterity and Safety

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 WORK 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.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. The gardener occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation and frequently lifts heavy objects, such as bags of fertilizer and grass seed. Motor VEHICLE OPERATORs at this level require greater physical effort to maneuver the longer and heavier vehicles, especially when backing these vehicles. Operators reach, bend, turn, or move hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Moderate physical effort may be required in making couplings between the vehicle and towed equipment because of safety chains, towbars, and hooks must be lifted and properly secured. Lifts and carries parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally moves heavier items with assistance of other workers or mechanical lifting devices. The tractor operator exerts additional effort in operating equipment controls, making frequent arm and leg movements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is done outside or in a greenhouse. In working outside, the gardener is subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot sun, and sometimes to chilly or rainy weather. Exposed to dirt, dust, mud, and frequently to chemical sprays and dusts, may wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety shoes, and boots. There is a chance of minor injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes, and occasional possibility of broken bones from falls. Motor VEHICLE OPERATORs work mostly outside and operate vehicles in all kinds of weather throughout a government installation.
Exposed to dirt and fumes, and to the possibility of cuts, bruises, and broken bones as a result of accidents while driving or from falling objects when loading and unloading the vehicle. Tractor operators work primarily outside and are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, as well as high noise levels, vibrations, and jolts from the tractor and towed equipment.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
A BOLD SPIRIT. A PROUD HISTORY. Ad Inexplorata. It means "Toward The Unexplored." This motto defines the very spirit and history of Edwards Air Force Base, CA. It is where Capt. "Chuck" Yeager became the first human to break the sound barrier, where tomorrow's ambitious aviation breakthroughs continue to become reality and where talented civilian professionals experience truly unique careers. Why work at Edwards AFB? Visit the following link to learn more about the Air Force Test Center mission.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.
If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.
All Federal Wage Schedule (FWS) applicants must complete the assessment questionnaire in its entirety or it will result in an ineligible rating. Applicants who meet the requirements for and apply as a non-competitive eligible that meet minimal qualifications and other requirements of this position, will be given consideration as a non-competitive candidate and will be referred unless blocked by an individual with priority/preference.
APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
  
  1. Online Application: Questionnaire
  2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this ...