Summary This position is located within Facilities Management Service at the Eastern Kansas Health Care System and is located at the VA Medical Center in Topeka, KS. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to the following: Must have the knowledge, skill, and dexterity to operate mowing equipment, farm equipment, and industrial @type tractors through 50 hp and 4x4 truck through 1 1/2 ton. This includes dual and triple hydraulic control systems which control length, depth load, draft and control speed of the equipment and attachments. Since equipment being operated is much larger and heavier than normal, special judgments concerning equipment operations such as lift capacity and balance must be considered during operation. When operating mowers with triple mowing decks, operators must be aware of large path required, watching for obstructions that could cause damage to lawns, shrubs, trees, or equipment. More judgment is required along with better depth perception when mowing around obstacles, curbs, fire hydrants, etc. Must be familiar with coupling these systems to the equipment which includes three-point hitch, both manual and hydraulic, and power take-off shafts which exceed 540 RPM. Must have knowledge to make necessary adjustments to establish correct length, depth and angle lateral movement of equipment and accessory equipment such as snow blades; disk-scarifies, and aerators. Operates the tractor and equipment to avoid damaging shrubs, trees, crops, etc. Is also responsible for operating in a safe manner at the work site. Must have the skill and knowledge to service and make minor repairs such as checking for loose bolts and nuts, greasing, and checking oil in all @types of equipment operated. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) 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. Qualifications (SCREEN OUT) You must have the ability to perform the duties of the Tractor Operator without more than normal supervision. Related experience includes operating farm-@type tractors/machinery and towed or attached equipment to maintain grounds/landscapes; using equipment and tractors that have hydraulic and/or mechanical controls such as mowers, aerators, plows, harrows, and/or chippers; and using a variety of hand and power tools such as edgers, saws, sweepers, hedge shears, trimmers, and/or sprayers, etc. Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The selectee must have good eyesight and normal coordination of hands, arms, legs, and feet; and must be able to bend and stoop. Will be expected to lift and handle more than 75 pounds while loading and unloading cargo and while making couplings between equipment and vehicles. Working conditions are sometimes difficult working with grease, in extreme heat or cold, unventilated areas, near steam and hot water lines, in rain, high winds, snow, and ice, etc. The selectee is expected to work in adverse weather conditions depending on requirements of the job assigned. Will be required to report for duty for emergencies that may occur at the Medical Center regardless of day or time. Enters and exits buildings in all @types of weather. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation) Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Education Additional Information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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. 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. 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. 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.
