Job Summary

This position is located at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL (578) - a Level la Complexity VHA Facility, and is organizationally aligned to the Environmental Management Service - Motor Pool/Grounds Section. Incumbents of this position operate wheel-mounted tractors and towed or attached equipment.

Job Description

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/02/2024. 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. Experience should include, but is not limited to: Operates farm-type tractors and towed or attached equipment through hydraulic or mechanical controls; Manipulates both tractor and equipment controls simultaneously; Works on level or rolling terrain in such places as open fields, parks, and lawns; Uses mowers, plows, aerators, chippers, sprayers, disks, front-end loading devices, backhoes, and equipment that may be operated by direct drive or a power take off; Operates heavy equipment to push, pull, pile or load materials; Moves bulky/heavy items using hand trucks and/or dollies; Cuts grass with push lawn mowers, rakes leaves, and pulls weeds; Spreads salt/chemicals on icy surfaces, shovels snow and/or snowplows; Completes specific assignments operating platforms, stakes, and dump trucks; Completes routine operator maintenance on vehicles and equipment used; 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) Reliability And Dependability Without more than normal supervision 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 EFFORT: Operates tractors in all types of terrain (steep and level). Exerts moderate to heavy physical effort while performing duties and in operating equipment controls. The work requires frequent stooping, bending, reaching, and arm and leg movement to operate tractor controls. Performs heavy strenuous lifting and carrying parts and equipment weighing 50 pounds. Occasionally, moves heavier items with assistance of other workers or mechanical lifting devices. WORK CONDITIONS: Work is primarily performed outdoors. Operators are subject to drafts, noise, and varying temperatures inside and outside and are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, outdoor temperature extremes, as well as high noise levels, vibrations, and jolts from the tractor and towed equipment. Exposed to dust, dirt, grease, and fumes; some operators are exposed to chemical dust and sprays and may need to wear protective clothing and respirators. Subject to possible injury from equipment overturning. During snow removal operations, operators are subject to extremely cold temperatures, high winds and slippery walking and working surfaces.