Gardener

Summary This position is located in a National Park Service Unit. The primary purpose of the positon is to perform journey level gardener duties that are necessary for the proper maintenance and care of landscaped areas. Responsibilities Performs a wide variety and range of gardening work, using independent judgment within the framework of good gardening practices. Works from project plans, master landscape, and long-range plans, making independent judgments within the framework of good gardening practices. Plants and/or transplants a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, plants and trees. Prunes shrubs and trees to reduce risk of failure, provide clearance, reduce shade and wind resistance, maintain health, influence flower or fruit production, improve a view, and to improve aesthetics. Performs condition assessments of cultural landscape features. Trims shrubs, ornamental and fruit trees and hedges. This is a Career-Seasonal position. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. Selectee is guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year, with the work schedule determined upon appointment. Work schedule and periods of non-pay status are contingent upon funding and operational needs. On an annual basis, employee signs a "career-seasonal" agreement with the supervisor which defines the work schedule for that year. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, you will be placed in a pay status and can expect to work a minimum of 13 pay periods not to exceed a maximum of 25 pay periods. Though your non-pay time may be reduced, you will still be placed in non-pay status for a minimum of 1 pay period in accordance with NPS policy. Additional work must be in concurrence with applicable regulations and policies. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. Work Schedule: You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. Probationary Period: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Travel: You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority. Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors: Work demonstrating the ability to perform the duties of this position without more than normal supervision.(SCREEN OUT) If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. Volunteer Experience: 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. Education There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions. Additional Information Physical Demands: Work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. Climbs ladders to trim and/or prune trees. Frequently lifts heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer grass seed, etc. May work from an aerial lift. The gardener will use power equipment such as mowers, aerators, hedge trimmers, etc. When motor vehicle or tractor operator duties are performed, moderate effort is exerted to manipulate equipment controls. Working Conditions: 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. In some instances, the conditions will involve working in air contaminated with chemical dust and sprays being used on trees and shrubs. Will be required to wear protective clothing during pesticide/herbicide application; as well as, normal subject to minor injuries such as cuts, scratches, bruises, and scrapes. There is occasional the possibility of more serious injury. When vehicles are operated there is additional exposue to risk due to traffic accidents. Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, submission of ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s).

Created: 2025-01-07