Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Central Virginia VA Healthcare Services located in Richmond. The position is organizationally aligned under Environmental Management Service (EMS). This position serves in the Grounds Section in the Environmental Management Service. The primary duties involve the operation of field type tractors and mowers with attached, tow and push type equipment etc.
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Responsibilities

Operates field type tractors and mowers with attached, tow and push type equipment, backhoes, forklifts (capable of lifting loads weighing less than 4,500 kilograms (10 ,000 pounds) as high as 420 centimeters (168 inches)), lawnmowers, grounds maintenance vehicles, weed eaters, blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, various portable generators, and other equipment.

Operates snow plows, snow blowers, chemical spreaders, shovels, and other related equipment to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, roadways, and parking lots.

Operates equipment's such assprayers, leaf vacuum, fertilizer spreader, edgers, and mowers may be direct drive, hydraulic, or mechanically operated and controlled.Make sound judgments in operating motor vehicles and other equipment.

Must be well versed in State, Local , and VAMC laws and regulations governing the operation of equipment and vehicles.

Knowledge of loading and arranging cargo and personnel, overhead and side clearances, turning radiuses, braking distance, and safe operating distances from other vehicles.

Works under the supervision of the Grounds and Transportation Supervisor with guidance from the Grounds and Transportation Leader, and is responsible to him/her for the satisfactory completion of all assigned tasks.

Responsible for observation and enforcement of safety regulations and must exercise care when using hand tools, power equipment, motorized equipment, motor vehicles, and machinery to prevent injury to self and others.

Devises simplified work procedures, makes minor procedural changes.

Safeguard all assigned tools, machines and equipment and maintain such in clean and proper working order at all times.

Performs other duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time
Position Description Title/PD#: 2537
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/19/2021.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards .

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Drive Safely
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
• Motor Vehicles
• Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Work Practices

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Daily duties include climbing into and out of vehicles in all weather conditions, lifting of heavy freight, equipment, supplies, etc.; climbing stairs, loading/ unloading equipment and supplies. Incumbent must be of good physical condition and have good coordination of eyes, hands, and feet, as well as good vision and depth perception. Incumbent must be mentally alert to traffic hazards and dangers of the highway. Physical efforts require lifting, climbing, stooping, and working in cramped positions possibly lasting for long periods of time.

Working Conditions: The majority of work is performed outdoors. Incumbent is exposed to all types of weather including extreme heat and cold , wind, rain , ice, and snow. Incumbent is exposed to dust and fumes often requiring use of dust masks and/or respirators and falls when using hand tools, ladders, chain saws, or any type of motorized equipment. Incumbent is subject to cuts, bruises and minor electrical shocks in addition to physical discomfort and injuries associated with the application of fertilizer, herbicides and fungicides as utilized in agricultural applications Incumbent has the potential of being exposed to patients with all types of diseases, colds, and viruses while transporting in closed vehicles. Universal infection control precautions shall be practiced. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to 8 hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing if proper hearing protection is not worn. The wearing of ear protection devices while operating all combustion engine-powered grounds maintenance equipment is mandatory as is participation in the Hearing Conservation Program.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Financial disclosure not required.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness , National security

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .