Summary This position serves as a Tractor Operator performing grounds maintenance using various mobile vehicles, equipment, and attachments and performs operator maintenance on tractors and equipment. This position is located within the Facilities Engineering Service Department at the VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA. Responsibilities Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: 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. Assist other workmen in the Facility Site Services Section and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD01921A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required 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 identification 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 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 probationary period or 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, 11/16/2026. 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: 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 Requirements/Working 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. Education No education requirement for this position. Additional Information 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.
