Tractor Operator

Summary

This position will provide linen distribution services to all building on Bay Pines Campus and is located within the Environmental Management Services (EMS) of the VA Medical Center. Environmental Management Services (EMS) consists of five operational sections with Housekeeping being the largest. Laundry is accountable for providing services at all of these locations.

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Duties

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Major duties include but not limited to:

• Safely operate box truck, and or tram on the Bay Pines campus
• Determine the appropriate safety devices for each delivery and be able to manuver the vehicle in and around a congested loading dock area and have night driving skills.
• Responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle, including the hydraulic lifts in the process of loading and unloading linen carts onto and off the vehicle.
• Ensure all infection control, OSHA, Joint Commission requirements regarding linen deliveries are followed.
• Will have to keep vehicles clean and free of debris at all times, inside and out.
• Be responsible for prompt safe delivery service of clean textiles and collection of soiled linen in all areas.
• Familiar with the vehicle operation manual.
• Reads VA email daily regarding important personnel, training, safety information, and bulletins that may impact their personal needs or work environment.
• Understand and apply verbal and written instructions.
• Perform daily inspections of vehicle's tires, brakes, horn, lights, and windshield wipers. Check oil and coolant levels, refueling when necessary.
• Safely load and unload carts into vehicle.
• Work in the textile care facility daily, dumping, sorting soil, machine operating all phases of linen processing.
• Provide linen distribution services to all building on Bay Pines Campus.
• Assembles linen orders to deliver to required areas.
• Weight in soiled linens and weigh out clean linen, documenting all deliveries and pick ups.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday 6:00am-2:30pm with occasional weekends and holidays

Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD11296A

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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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 ( 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, 11/13/2026.

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:

• 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)

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: Incumbent must possess the ability to climb in and out of the vehicle. Position routinely requires the individual operate vehicles, electrical equipment and must extert physical effort to load, unload and transports by pushing and pulling clean and soiled linen carts in a controlled manner weighing up to 800 pounds, in and out of the laundry truck, tram trailers, to and from the loading docks to various locations within the textile care processing facility and medical center campus. These carts are equipped with pneumatic type wheels/tires for easy movement. Incumbent must be able to do a considerate amount of walking, standing, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling and will be exposed to repeatative motion of arms, wrists and hands to perform simple grasping and fine hand manipulation, reaching outward and above the shoulder, lift soiled linen bags up and into soild linen carts and frequently stopping, bending, twisting and kneeling. Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds. Must be able to stand and walk consistently, perform moderate bending and stooping and able to wear PPE for extended periods of time as directed by the work setting.

Working Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outside in all weather conditions. The incumbent must be constantly aware of fluctuating weather conditions, such as periods of extreme heat and rain slicked road conditions. Operates in all types of traffic conditions and weather, may encounter high winds. Driving is normally performed inside cab of box truck or tram. Incumbent is intermittently exposed to excess humidity, chemicals, solvents, fumes dust and noise. Work is completed in patient care buildings; the incumbent must be alert to safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and fellow employees. Indoor work is generally in areas of adequate light, heat/air conditions and ventilation. Individual is required to wear steel toe shoes/boots at all times and wear proper PPE such as gloves while moving soiled line carts. Individuals is exposed to possible contagions from the handling of contaminated linens in performance of collecting soiled line. Potential exists for sharps exposure in soiled linen. Incumbent is subject to cuts, scrapes, bumps, bruises, slips, fails and other injuries and to disagreeable odors in the performance required duties.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.