TRACTOR OPERATOR (GARDNER)

This TRACTOR OPERATOR (GARDNER) position is with Air Education and Training Command (Department of the Air Force) in Luke AFB, AZ. Department: 56 Force Support Squadron (FSS) Marketing Department Funding Type: Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) Employment Type: Flexible (No guaranteed hours, no benefits) Core Mission: In this role, you will play a critical part in maintaining the pristine condition of our course greens, fairways, and grounds. Physical Effort: Physically able to frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds, stoop, bend, reach, and climb. Exposed to extreme heat: possibility of cuts and bruises. Key duties: • Duties As a Tractor Operator (Gardener), NA-5705-06, your primary purpose is to provide professional grounds keeping and mowing services to fairways, roughs, and greens, as well as administer weed control and fertilizer applications. Major Duties & Responsibilities: Equipment Operation: Operate field-type tractors with specialized attachments and other diesel-powered grounds maintenance mowers to cut, groom, and maintain various species of grass across the golf course. Specialized Machinery: Operate a variety of light-to-heavy grounds equipment, including but not limited to mowers, aerators, plows, harrows, clippers, sprayers, disks, post-hole diggers, movable dozer blades, backhoes, and tractor-drawn liquid/solid dispensers. Equipment Care & Adjustments: Adjust settings, attachments, and connections to ensure safety, mechanical soundness, and proper equipment operation. Perform routine operator maintenance (e.g., checking fluid levels, cleaning, and basic lubricating) on tractors and associated machinery. Course Upkeep: Perform daily course preparation tasks, such as setting cups, raking sand bunkers, trimming trees, and removing debris and trash. Gardening & Turf Management: Perform hands-on gardening and landscaping operations on greens, tees, fairways, roughs, clubhouse grounds, and surrounding areas. This includes seeding, sodding, plugging, planting, pruning, top-dressing, aerating, verticutting, changing cups, moving tees, and maintaining flag/pole setups. Irrigation Control: Irrigate all areas of the golf course to ensure appropriate moisture and turf health. Safety Compliance: Adhere strictly to all vehicle operation regulations, safety rules, and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines. If interested in applying for this position you may preview the online application: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13054154 Qualifications: Who May Apply: Open to everyone. Applicants will be categorized by preference(s) and/or priority consideration eligibilities. An applicant's eligibility will be determined based on eligibility claimed in the questionnaire and proof of eligibility MUST be provided with application by the closing date, 09/16/2026 Business Based Action, Military Spouse Preference, Outside Applicant Veteran, Spouse/Widow/Parent of Veteran, and Transition Hiring Preference In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if the position allows for qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Qualifying Experience: Equipment Coordination: Experience demonstrating the ability to manipulate both tractor and equipment controls simultaneously. Technical Skill: Knowledge of equipment connections to hook up mechanical drive shafts and hydraulic lines safely. Terrain Handling: Skill to manipulate, maneuver, and operate equipment over different and uneven types of terrain. Tractor Operations: Direct experience operating and performing operator-level preventive maintenance on field-type tractors and associated equipment. Gardening Procedures: Basic knowledge of gardening, turf management, and landscaping techniques. Communication: Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with supervisors, team members, and golf course patrons. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.