Summary This position is in the Grounds Crew section of Maintenance and Operations department in Facilities Management Service (FMS) Line of the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MC). The incumbent is a laborer (MVO), responsible for all facets of grounds keeping and general labor activities Responsibilities Duties include but not limited too: Dig ditches and trenches with a pick or shovel, completing grading and sloping, breaking up concrete with a jackhammer, mixes concrete, applies hot and cold patch asphalt when filling holes in roadways. Performs daily policing of the grounds, empties trash cans outside of the buildings (including parking lots/garage) and clean under and around refuse dumpsters. Complete planting, cultivating, feeding, weeding, trimming and watering flowers and trees as necessary. Removes diseased or damage tree, including root removal. Also, responsible for spreading mulch and/or stone, trimming of grass along curbs and installing lawn edging, as assigned. During the fall season, remove fallen leaves, twigs and branches by bagging or disposing to designated areas. In addition, utilizes the two (1) ton pick up trucks, stake body truck, utility vehicles and vacuum to pick up and dispose of leaves/trash. During the winter season, they are responsible for snow removal. Includes operation of two (1) ton pick-ups with plows and salt spreaders, 1 stake body truck and several utility vehicles for the snow removal and spreading salt when necessary. Utilize walk behind snow blowers/brushes and manually shovel sidewalks and entry ways and then spreads salt when necessary. May drive buses and other vehicles with air brakes. Buses are operated occasionally contingent upon activities scheduled by other services and not on a regular and recurring basis. More regular use of the buses may occur during the months of less inclement seasons (Spring, Summer and Fall). Drivers must also operate wheelchair lifts as well as provide instructional training to staff on operation, function, security and safety of the lifts. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30 am - 4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: No Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer (MVO)/06188A 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Physical Requirements: Exerts very heavy physical effort when moving items (lifts up to 100 pounds), handling 60-pound bags of salt and operating the jackhammer. Operates power mowers on steep slopes and grades and pushes wheel barrel loads of cement, stone, and mulch. Required to perform frequent walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. May require heavy physical effort when shoveling snow in the winter. Work Environment: Works mostly outside and operates equipment and vehicles in all kinds of weather (sunshine, rain, sleet, snow, etc.) for long periods of time. In danger of objects and debris hitting him/herself when operating power mowers and trimmers and possibility of cuts and bruises. Special care and safety equipment must be used to avoid serious injuries. During winter season, exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees F when performing snow removal duties. Wear prescribed uniform in accordance with Altoona VAMC dress code policy and uses appropriate personal protective safety equipment as required. All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility. Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral. Education Additional Information VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
