Summary This position is located at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. The primary function of the incumbent is to perform as a Laborer requiring significant manual skill, prior work experience or training and very heavy physical effort. The work requires the use of large complex riding equipment, hydraulic and mechanical devices. Responsibilities Major duties include but not limited to: Performs a variety of lifting and moving moderately heavy objects such as furniture and equipment by hand, hand truck or dolly. Preventative maintenance of equipment; changing blades, changing belts, changing oil, greasing equipment, changing flat tires, changing hoses, washing equipment. Maintaining grounds on grades or slopes, removing snow from sidewalks, stairs and driveways, using manual equipment to fill holes, rake leaves, or dig ditches using simple powered equipment such as push lawn mower, blower, edger, trimmer, etc. Maintain grounds using tools and equipment for instance salt spreader, plow and shovel for the removal of snow and ice from walkways and stairs. Collecting and emptying garbage cans, repairing sprinkler system etc. Operate zero-turn both stand-up and sit-down mowers. Operate riding mowers, bush hog, box blade, belly mowers, straight blades, and rotary brooms on irregular terrain. Operate Polaris Ranger or John Deere Gator with various attachments, front straight blade, sand and salt spreader for snow removal, and seed spreader for seeds and fertilizer on irregular terrain. Operate large power tillers to prepare flower beds and lawn areas for bedding plants. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:00 am -3:30 pm or 6:00 am - 2:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD13646A Physical Requirements: This position requires the incumbent to push and lift items weighing more than 50-lbs daily. These items will be lifted with the assistance from other co-workers. Most of the work required for this position involves twisting, climbing, crawling, lifting, bending, crouching, leaning, stretching, sitting, standing, stooping, and carrying up and down stairs and on irregular terrain in extreme temperatures from -20-degree wind chills to 120-degree heat index. Safety equipment is available and will be issued to the incumbent in order to minimize the possibility of injury. Strengthening Probationary Periods: During the first year of your employment, you will be required to serve a probationary period beginning the effective date of your appointment. This period is considered to be an extension of the interview process and will provide your supervisor with an opportunity to evaluate your conduct and performance on the job. During this period if it is determined that your performance or conduct fails to demonstrate your qualifications for employment, you may be terminated. At least 60 days prior to the end of each employee's initial probationary or trial period, management officials shall, to the extent practicable, meet to discuss the employee's performance and conduct (based in part on input from the employees supervisor), the needs of the agency, and whether their continued employment would advance the public interest, the organizational goals of the agency, and the efficiency of the service. Within 30 days prior to the end of each employee's probationary or trial period, management officials shall determine whether to finalize the employee's appointment to the Federal service, or whether to terminate their service. Before the employee is terminated, they shall be notified in writing of the effective date of action. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
