Duties

Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license.

Operate Field type tractors, backhoes, forklifts, lawn mowers, grounds maintenance equipment vehicles, weed eaters, blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, various portable generators, and other equipment associated with the Grounds Section of Environmental Management Service.

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

Performs under the general supervision of the Gardener (Grounds) Supervisor. In some cases, he/she must use his own judgment in carrying out assignments and in other cases refers to his/her supervisor for information and guidance.

Conduct grounds laborer duties such as empty trash cans, spread mulch, pull weeds and pick up trash from the grounds.

Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.

Exposed to potentially dangerous and contaminated materials and work environment, such as chemicals of insecticides, weed killer, and contaminated trash. In such emergencies as snowstorms, water line breaks, or fallen tree limbs, is expected to work hours of overtime often under hazardous conditions.

Other duties as required.

Work Schedule: 6:00am-2:30pm Monday - Friday (with seasonal shifts)
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not applicable
Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD02537A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/01/2021.

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:

• Customer Service
• Dexterity and Safety
• Drive Safely
• Follow Directions
• Likelihood of Success
• Motor Vehicles
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery

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: Required to do many strenuous tasks. Is subject to the extremes of temperature variations and weather inclemency often performing in hot humid atmosphere in summer and in cold and sleet/snow in the winter. The position requires more frequent arm and leg movement to operate equipment controls, and lifting bags of fertilizer and seed, etc, weighing up to 100 pounds. The incumbent will be expected to apply heavy physical effort in doing such tasks as frequently lifting and moving objects weighing over 50 pounds, operating (push type) power mowers on rough terrain or pushing heavy equipment.

Working Conditions: Exposed to potentially dangerous and contaminated materials and work environment, such as chemicals of insecticides, weed killer, and contaminated trash. In such emergencies as snowstorms, water line breaks, or fallen tree limbs, incumbent is expected to work hours of overtime often under hazardous conditions.

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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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/ .

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

Financial disclosure not required.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .