Tractor Operator - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary This position is in the Grounds and Transportation section of the Facility Management Service (FMS), at Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC). Primary duties involve the operation of field type tractors and mowers with attached, tow and push type equipment. Responsibilities Primary duties involve the operation of field type tractors and mowers with attached, tow and push type equipment, while working without normal supervision. Operate equipment independently such as sprayers, leaf vacuum, fertilizer spreader, edgers, and mowers may be direct drive, hydraulic or mechanically operated and controlled. 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/or others. Operation of GSA & VA owned vehicles such as sedans, station wagons, vans (including wheelchair & 15 passenger), trucks up to 26,000 lbs. Inspect equipment and vehicles prior to and during use to be sure they are in safe operating conditions, and shall clean equipment/vehicles of any debris which as accumulated during usage. Required to operate vehicles in a safe and proper manner while transporting patients, equipment, supplies, linen, mail and VAMC personnel and be able to complete all assignments in a timely and effective manner. Incumbent works under the supervision of the Grounds and Transportation Supervisor with guidance from the Grounds and Transportation Leader. Work in the Grounds section 60-75% of the time and in the transportation section for the remainder of the time. Primarily works in the Grounds Department but subject to being detailed to the Transportation Department as needed but generally no more than 30% of the time. Work Schedule: M-F, 07:00am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: NO Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD02058A 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 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/08/2024. 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: 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. Education Mandatory Training Requirements: The incumbent must obtain certification via on-the-job training as a registered technician with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to spray pesticides within 6months of employment and sustain recertification every two years. Must be able to pass an annual respirator face mask fitting test. The incumbent must become certified within 6 months of employment via on-the-job- training to operate an aerial boom lift and be recertified every two years to trim trees and cut down tall trees and must not have a fear of heights. The incumbent must become certified within 6 months of employment via on-the-job training to operate a boom forklift and be recertified every two years to be able to load and unload supplies, materials, and equipment weighing over 100 pounds. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.