Laborer (Groundskeeper)

This position is located within the Environmental Management Service of the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring, Texas. This position is under the direct supervision of the Gardener Foreman or designee. Incumbent will routinely perform grounds maintenance and move office furniture, equipment, and supplies as well as operate motor vehicles, utility vehicles, forklifts, lawn mowers, and on occasion, will operate an excavator/backhoe and a tractor with brush cutter.

Major duties include: Operates an excavator/backhoe with bucket weighing more than 16,000 pounds; a tractor with brush cutter weighing more than 3,700 pounds; and a forklift weighing more than 3,200 pounds. Responsible for the placing of the avenue of flags on flag days. Moves furniture to and from the Medical Center and at each of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Maintains the grounds free of litter and trash. Prunes trees and shrubs Removes snow/ice from parking lots, sidewalks, steps, and entrances and applies ice melt or sand where needed. Cleans the smoking shelter, outer entrances to the Medical Center, and the grounds shop and office. Applies proper fungicide to shrubs, plants, and trees for insects and disease. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer (Groundskeeper)/PD00670A Physical Requirements: Work requires very heavy physical effort such as frequent lifting and carrying objects weighing 50 pounds. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift and carry items over 50 pounds and push/pull loads weighing up to 500 pounds. Incumbent stands, walks, crouches, and kneels most of the working day. Operates heavy equipment on grades. Occasionally, incumbent climbs ladders, and balances to prune branches. Incumbent pushes and pulls such equipment such as lawn mowers and cultivators. Color vision is involved in determining colors of plants. Working Conditions: Work is both indoors and outdoors. While working indoors there is adequate temperature, light and ventilation. There may be exposure to drafts, noise, and dust. While working outdoors the incumbent may be exposed to all kinds of weather conditions and temperature extremes, including rain, snow, heat, cold, dirt, mud, chemical sprays, and dust. Work is often dirty and dusty. Frequently exposed to the possibilities of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes as is subject to falls from ladders and trees.

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation 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 Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.