NSA Hampton Roads CPOs give back to homeless veterans

ByKatishaDraughn-Fraguada

Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads

Public Affairs

Chief Petty Officers (CPOs) from Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads gave back to homeless veterans by rehabbing the outdoor recreation area for the Hampton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center’s Domiciliary Unit on March 28

“This day was designated as a volunteer day for Hampton Roads area CPOs leading up to the Chiefs Birthday,” said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Ryan Weimer, Senior Enlisted Leader at NSA Hampton

Roads-Northwest Annex. “I wanted to specifically do something where we were giving back to the veterans in our community, so I reached out to the VA and they were excited to have us help out.”

Approximately 15 CPOs spent the day refurbishingandre-stainingparkbenches, building a new horseshoe pit area, and cleaning,repainting,andpreservingashuffleboard court in the recreation area.

“This area plays an important role in the care and healing of our patients,” said Atalaya Horton-Keyes, Assistant Chief for the Center for Development and Civic Engagement with the VA “Recreation

Therapy helps improve social, cognitive, physical and leisure needs of the veteran. Other benefits include reduction of stress and depression while increasing life satisfaction, confidence and self-esteem.”

TheVAhousesover100homelessveterans at any given time, so having the recreation area available as an outlet for them is critical The area had not been in use because of degradation for many years

“For us to be able to come and give them aplacetogetoutsideandhavesomefunfelt really great, said Weimer “I think everyone who volunteered that day was aware that they will all be veterans themselves in the near future. So to give back to such an esteemed group of people that we will all be joining, meant even more.

The CPOs hope to continue this new partnershipwiththeVAandworkonadditional projects in the future.

“Itisimportantforournation’sheroesto seeactivedutyservicemembersshowtheir appreciationforthosewhohavefoughtfor our freedoms,” said Horton-Keyes “And time is one of the most precious things you can give.

Garden &Landscape Technician (00255A)

TheCare &Maintenance Department at OldDominion University is seekingcandidates for theGarden &Landscape Technician(full-time, 12 month) position.The Garden &LandscapeTechnicianwillproperlymaintainthe landscape of theUniversitytopresent aneat,clean andwell-maintained appearance.Thiswillinclude theperformance of grounds maintenance, operategroundmaintenance equipment such as truck with or withoutmanualtransmission, ridingand push mowers, tractors,and smallpowered equipment. This will also include horticulture practicessuch as mowing, planting, litter removaland other aspects associatedwith theupkeepofthe landscape of thecampus.

Required Education: Basic knowledgeofproperway to maintain and/or plant treesshrubsand flowers.

Required Qualifications: Basic knowledgeofthe properway to trim,spray,mow,remove trashand debris weed,fertilize, sweep,rake, cultivate,dig, water, shovelorplow snow, remove ice, spreadsaltand/orsandand other relatedfunctions.Demonstrated skill in pruningdifferentspeciesofshrubsand trees. Basic knowledgeand experience in theoperation of grounds equipment.Someknowledge of pesticides. Basic mechanical knowledgeto recognizemalfunctions of equipment. Demonstratedability to recognizeirrigation malfunction.Demonstrated ability to work in extreme heat or cold;tolift/move/carry 50 pounds many timesper week.Demonstratethe ability to read and write. Demonstrateability to work independentlyortoworkwithothers.

Speciallicenses, registration or certification:Valid driver’s licenseand insurabledriving recordwhich must be maintained.Demonstratethe abilitytoacquireavalid PesticideTechnicianLicense within 1year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications: VirginiaDepartmentofAgriculture CertifiedTechnicianorCommercial Applicator 3A or 3B License. ProfessionalCertifications, Licenses,and/orCredentials from: VNLA,ISA,PLANET, StateMaster Gardener Program, VTC, or anyother industry specificrecognized organization. Irrigation RepairExperience Associate or BachelorDegreefromrecognized institution in horticulture,forestry, biology,botany, naturalresource management, or other related industry.Membership in anyHorticulture related organization

Conditions of Employment: Facilities Management employees are considered essential personneland subject to working during university closings.Thisisanopenuntilfilled recruitment.Thisrecruitment mayclose afterthe five-day required posting period when asuitable poolofapplicants hasbeen generated Review Date: Theinitial application review date for this position is April17, 2023,and will remain open untilfilled To apply, please visithttps://jobs.odu.edu/postings/18354.Old Dominion University is an equalopportunity, affirmative action institution

Turf Maintenance Technician (00949A)

The Care &Maintenance Department at Old Dominion University is seeking candidates for the Turf Maintenance Technician (full-time, 12 month) position.The Turf Maintenance Technicianwill properly maintain the landscape of the Universitytopresent aneat, clean and well-maintained appearance. This will include the performance of grounds maintenance, operate ground maintenance equipment such as truck with or without manual transmission, riding and push mowers, pesticide application equipment, tractors, and small powered equipment. This will also include horticulture practices such as mowing, weed control, turfgrass maintenance, planting, litter removal and other aspects associated with the upkeep of the landscape of the campus.

Required Education: Basic knowledge of proper way to maintain and/or plant trees shrubs and flowers.

Required Qualifications: Working knowledge of the proper way to trim, spray,mow,remove trash and debris, weed, fertilize, sweep, rake, cultivate, dig, water,shovel or plowsnow, remove ice, spread salt and/or sand and other related functions. Demonstrated skill in pruning different species of shrubs and trees. Working knowledge and experience in the operation of grounds equipment. Working knowledge of pesticides. Basic mechanical knowledge to recognize malfunctions of equipment. Demonstrated ability to work in extreme heatorcold; to lift/move/carry 50 pounds manytimes per week. Demonstrate the ability to read and write. Demonstrate ability to work independently or to work with others. Ability to recognize irrigation malfunction.

Special licenses, registration or certification: Valid driver’slicense and insurable driving record which must be maintained. Demonstratethe ability to acquire avalid Pesticide Technician License within 1year of employment. Preferred Qualifications: Virginia Department of Agriculture Certified Technician or Commercial Applicator 3A or 3B License. Professional Certifications, Licenses, and/or Credentials from: VNLA, ISA, PLANET,State Master