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WDVA Grounds and Nursery Services Spec. 2, Full-Time - Project (Int. Only), Washington Veterans Home

Washington State

Description

Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 2

Full-Time - Project (Internal Only)

Washington Veterans Home

Please note, this position is open only to current WDVA employees.

We are pleased to announce we are now accepting applications from internal employees for our Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 2 at the Washington Veterans Home in scenic Port Orchard, Washington! This position is a full-time, project role with an expected end date of September 1st, 2024.

Please Note: The expected work hours for this position is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Incumbent may be expected to adjust work schedule to meet business needs and may be asked to work beyond 3:30 p.m. to support unique circumstances and meet the business needs of the home. Infrequent travel is required to conduct business or attend required training.

  • This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.

Position(s) at this location will also receive 5% Premium Pay for facilities open twenty four hours per day. Employees must physically work at the facility 3 days per workweek to qualify. The 5% Premium Pay is in effect until June 29th, 2025. 

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to honorably discharged veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star families.

As a Grounds and Nursery Services Specialist 2, you will maintain the grounds of the Washington Veterans Home while working under limited and general supervision. You will also perform experienced gardening work, including the maintenance of all grounds, landscapes, nurseries, and/or greenhouses. Your efforts have a direct impact on our customers' decisions as to whether they select our facility as the final resting place for our Veterans and their Families. Help us maintain and honor the natural beauty of our grounds at the Washington Veterans Home and apply today!

Duties

Some of what you'll be doing includes:

  • Preparing soil for planting of plants, transplants, and trees.
  • Trimming and watering plants, trees, flowers, and shrubs.
  • Applying pesticides and herbicides to flowers and shrubs.
  • Seeding and mowing the nursing care facility campus.
  • Irrigating, fertilizing, and maintaining lawns.
  • Using a variety of manual tools and equipment, including but not limited to rakes, pruning shears, hand edgers, loppers, wheelbarrows, and pesticide sprayers.
  • Operating power and motorized equipment such as weed trimmers, chainsaws, backpack blowers, rototillers, light tractors, front-end loaders, small trucks, lawn mowers, sweepers, aerators, sod cutters, and snow blowers.
  • Performing various grounds maintenance tasks such as weeding, edging, mowing, pruning, raking, sweeping, blowing, seeding, etc.
  • Cleaning, maintaining, straightening, securing, aligning, and repairing headstones and grave markers.
  • Pressure washing, removing weeds and debris, and realigning headstones and grave markers using various hand tools.
  • Performing burials at home Cemetery setup, tear down graveside ceremonies, and preparing site and order internment marker, and performing burial for the Veterans services.
  • And more!

Qualifications

Required:

  • One (1) year of experience of grounds maintenance, gardening, plant care, cultivation, and landscape installation.
  • Must be capable of safely operating gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles with gross vehicle weights of up to 25,000 lbs.
  • Must be capable of performing a variety of tasks that require the operation of small tractors, front end loader, skid steer with attachments, and other equipment.
  • Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 100 lbs.; any structure greater than 50 lbs. will be lifted with assistance. Position requires frequent bending, twisting, kneeling, sitting, standing, and carrying throughout the entire workday.
  • Must possess a valid Washington State driver license.
  • Must possess relationship-building skills, critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and a customer-focused mindset.
  • Must be comfortable interacting with guests who are grieving, distraught, seeking information or guidance while on the grounds or at the cemetery.

Preferred/Desired:

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Infection control experience as related to medical experience.
  • Ability to prepare messages and simple reports.
  • Ability to maintain accurate records, make simple arithmetic calculations, and maintain accurate records.

Supplemental Information

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA! 

Application Process: 

Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.

2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

  • Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  • Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by Washington Industrial Safety and Act Standards.
  • Must comply with health screening requirements by undergoing a tuberculosis skin test at initial hire and then annually thereafter.
  • Must submit to law enforcement fingerprinting.
  • Must have a valid driver license.
  • This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service. 

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. 

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

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Confirmed 12 hours ago. Posted 3 days ago.

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