Summary The position is located at Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) within Facilities Management Service, Roads and Grounds Unit. The primary purpose of the position is to perform a variety of exterior maintenance on the grounds of the facility. Responsibilities The major duties include but are not limited to: Perform a variety of exterior maintenance on the grounds of the facility. Provide occasional assistance to plumbers, carpenters, and other tradesmen in routine tasks not requiring journeyman level knowledge or skills. In this regard the laborer may mix concrete or plaster. Transport materials to and from the job site and perform cleanup activities both during and following work. Break up pavement using jackhammers. Clear sidewalks using large, industrial-@type, powered blowers. Perform grounds maintenance on grades or slopes. Dig ditches and trenches with picks and shovels where dirt is hard and compact. Operate large, industrial, walking-@type power mowers (e.g., one or more cutting decks, mechanical controls, and attachable implements), aerators, detachers, and/or simple riding-@type mowers for treating and trimming grass (e.g., a fixed or floating cutting deck(s) with limited adjustments). Manually adjust blades for cutting height, prepare gasoline/oil mixtures for powered equipment , and clean and lubricate mowers. Cut trees, using axes or chain saws. Wash buildings using a high-pressure sprayer; separate, stack, carry, and load/unload materials, supplies, and packages. Lift and move very heavy furniture, equipment, supplies, etc., through confined spaces. Clean tools and equipment as well as work areas before, during, and after completion of alterations, repairs, and construction. Use powered equipment such as a weed eater, hedge trimmer, handsaw, and chainsaw. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 5:00 am - 1:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD11225A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Physical Requirements: Laborers exert very heavy physical effort daily doing such tasks as frequently lifting and moving objects weighing over 23 kilograms (50 pounds), walking, standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, operating heavy power mowers on grades or pushing wheelbarrow with loads of rock or cement. Incumbent must be in adequate physical condition. Working Conditions: Laborers work inside and outside. When working outside, they are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions. Inside work is often accomplished in office buildings or in well lighted, heated, and ventilated areas such as warehouses, loading docks, or trade shops. They are frequently exposed to weather and temperature extremes reaching over 100 degrees in the summer time, drafts, noise, dust, and dirt. They are exposed to the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts, and scrapes. Some exposure to contagious disease is possible in the handling of contaminated waste. Condition of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. 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.
