Deadline: May 2, 2023

Contact: J Lea Roberts, Human Resources Specialist-Senior, jlea.roberts@wisconsin.gov, 608-266-3344

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
Making a difference in the lives of Wisconsin veterans

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is seeking a Groundskeeper for our Veterans Home in King, to work on the Ground Maintenance team. The Home is a 24/7/365 long-term care facility that specializes in providing comfort, support, and professional healthcare services to elderly or disabled veterans and their spouses. The facility is on the picturesque shoreline of the Chain O'Lakes, off Highway 10 between Stevens Point and Appleton. Come join our dedicated team!

WDVA employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package which includes:

• Substantial leave time including 9 paid holidays and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan

WDVA employees may also be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. To learn more about the complete compensation package, please visit the Total Rewards Calculator!

This agency is committed to serving Wisconsin's veteran population. Our positions offer the satisfaction of serving those who have served us all.

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.

Our Groundskeepers operate various motorized vehicles and equipment to maintain the grounds and roadways at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. The incumbent uses equipment such as trucks, lawn mowers, snowplows, front-end loaders, backhoes and industrial tractors; utilizes hand and power tools to maintain lawns and shrubs; provides landscaping services; assists crafts workers and other staff in building and project works; and operates trucks and non-motorized equipment to deliver stores and supplies. The position also assists in setting up equipment and furniture for special events; maintains streets and grounds; and transports various materials.

To view the full job description, click here.

Starting wage is $15.29 per hour, with additional compensation for evenings, weekends and holidays.

The position is eligible for an attractive employee benefits package.

The position is in pay schedule-range 03-08. For current State employees, pay on appointment will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

The position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

Job duties require the ability to perform light and heavy work, including exerting force at times over 100 pounds to move, remove and/or install objects; climb and work off ladders and/or scaffolding; handle chemicals, use personal protective equipment (e.g., hearing protection, hard hats, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, leg protection, etc.), work clothing and coverings; and work with loud, shaking and/or vibrating equipment.

Groundskeepers at the Home work a standard eight-hour shift Monday through Friday between the hours of 06:00 a.m. and 14:30 p.m. with on call for emergency services such as snow removal.

Due to the nature of the position, WDVA will conduct a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment.

Employment in this position is contingent upon passing a pre-employment tuberculosis (TB) skin test.

Employees at this healthcare facility are required to provide documentation of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by date of hire. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.

A 12-month probationary period may be required.

In their resume, minimally qualified applicants will describe their experience:

• Operating light and heavy motorized vehicles; and
• Operating hand and power tools

Well-qualified applicants will have a valid driver’s license and meet the requirements for driving a Wisconsin Fleet vehicle. To read the fleet requirements, click here.

Additional minimum and preferred experience that will be assessed at a later stage in the selection process are:

• Performing grounds maintenance duties; and
• Applying safety principles, including use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and
• Maintaining and repairing grounds-keeping equipment and tools; and/or
• Gardening

To be eligible for consideration for this job, complete the online application process. For instructions, refer to the following link: Applying to State Service. You will be required to attach a resume. To ease the application process, upload your resume to WiscJobs prior to attaching it.

Your resume is important and is used to figure out if your experience fits the job. For instructions on writing and what to include in your resume, click here.

NOTE: In the WiscJobs system that was implemented in April 2021, applicants are not able to update or change their application materials after they are submitted. Make certain that your resume and letter are how you want them to be before you finalize the application.

After the set deadline, resumes will be reviewed by one or more job experts and qualified applicants will be asked to participate in the next step of the hiring process. Failure to complete all steps of the process will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered. If you are eligible for an interview, you will be contacted via email or phone. Make certain your contact information is correct and check your messages regularly.

Current permanent, classified State employees, who are eligible for transfer or voluntary demotion into a position assigned to pay schedule-pay range 03-08, should complete the online application process.

Veterans with a 30% or greater service-related disability rating are eligible for consideration for non-competitive appointment to a permanent position in classified civil service under s. 230.275, WI Stats. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please send a letter of qualifications, resume, DD-214 clearly showing an honorable discharge, and documentation of your service-connected disability rating dated within 12 months, to the Human Resources contact listed in this announcement. Current state employees are not eligible for this consideration.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without WDVA sponsorship) at the time of application.

Questions should be directed to J Lea Roberts at jlea.roberts@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-3344.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 2, 2023.