Motor Vehicle Operator

Summary

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is looking for Motor Vehicle Operator. The purpose of this position is to operate patient transport vehicles, including emergency vehicles, patient transport vans/buses and other types transport vehicles, capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers, to and from VA Medical Center facilities, private healthcare facilities, and other private sector areas like patient homes, railway, bus stations and airports.

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Duties

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Motor Vehicle Operator is under the supervision of the Mobility Manager. They receives work assignments and direction regarding work methods, procedures and schedules from either the Transportation Coordinator and/or the Mobility Manager. The Motor Vehicle Operator operates one or more types of patient transport vehicles, including emergency vehicles, patient transport vans/buses and other types transport vehicles, capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers, to and from VA Medical Center facilities, private healthcare facilities, and other private sector areas like patient homes, railway, bus stations and airports.

Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To:

• Drives predetermined and/or scheduled routes or special runs.
• Arrives at and departs from pickup and discharge points at scheduled times.
• Operates the doors to allow passengers to enter and leave the vehicle.
• Read installation maps and judges road/traffic conditions to determine the shortest and safest route.
• Provide friendly, polite, and courteous service.
• Enforce passenger safety and seatbelt use. Check I.D. cards to ensure authorization of passengers as required.
• Responsibilities are to safely transport patients in a manner that minimizes disruption to personnel and ensure maximum comfort during travel.
• Knows and abides by rules, laws and traffic regulations pertaining to state laws.
• Use multiple variations of Mobile Data Computer (MDC) in and out of the vehicles for assigned trips and duties daily.
• Employee required to work with patients, families of patients, charge nurses, doctors and other medical staff in a professional and courteous manner. May be required to transfer neurotic patients with and without assistance depending on the patient's condition and medical approval.
• Loads and unloads patients, medical supplies and may be required to perform other duties as assigned.
• May operate a stretcher van, 1-ton wheelchair van, a passenger van, a large passenger bus, Dual Use Vehicles and other vehicles as assigned and needed to transport patients.
• Required to pick up and deliver patients mainly throughout the Catchment area, as assigned by the Mobility Manager. Vehicles will range from 8,900 GVW to 26,000 GVW with wheelchair lift or ramp.
• Will follow all applicable and current laws, regulations, VA directives, policies etc.
• Perform operator maintenance such as checking fluid levels and air pressure in tires, cleaning and washing of vehicles, and performing inspection checklists to ensure safe and proper operation.
• Maintain records and document actions, such as operator inspection checklists/forms and accident/incident reports.
• Use two-way radio (or other device) to maintain communications with dispatcher/supervisor on assignments and locations, in accordance with FCC rules and regulations.
• Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment.
• Uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing.
• May be required to drive other type motor vehicles on a non-recurring or incidental basis.
• Participates in Service Safety activities and attends scheduled safety training as directed by supervisor.
• Must practice and promote safe work and driving habits and follow standard safety procedures, identify existing or potential safety hazards and promptly notifies supervisor, and initiates corrective action as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm.

Position Description Title/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD01367A

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorize.

Requirements

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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
• 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, 10/14/2026.

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)
• Operation of Motor Vehicles
• Reliability and Dependability
• Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)

Preferred Experience:

• Patient/Veteran transportation.
• Wheelchair and stretcher transportation.
• 8,900-26,000 GVW vehicle experience.
• Passenger vans and buses.
• Wheelchair lifts/ramps.
• Loading and unloading passengers/cargo.
• Route planning and navigation.
• MDC and two-way radio use.
• Vehicle inspections and operator maintenance.
• Accident/incident documentation.
• Traffic and safety regulations.
• Healthcare/customer-service environment.
• Communication with clinical staff, patients, and families.

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: Work requires reaching, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Will be required to assist patients with a variety of medical conditions and/or disabilities. Associated duties require stooping, bending, lifting, climbing, and securing patients, oxygen, and wheelchairs with appropriate securing devices. Lifts and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier. Must follow prescribed safety procedures using appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving of heavy objects.Must be able to drive for a minimum of a four-hour period and stay mentally alert. If driver realizes they are not mentally alert, they must use good judgment in pulling over at the first safe area, road- checking vehicle with walk-around inspection, and continue driving as soon as possible.Incumbent must pass a VA Physical and adhere to all VA and DOT drug and alcohol testing and guidelines.

Working Conditions: Drivers work mostly outside and operate vehicles in all kinds of weather. Drivers are exposed to dirt, fumes, and to the possibility of cuts, bruises, and broken bones as a result of accidents when loading and unloading the vehicle. Must have ability to drive in rural areas, very congested Metropolitan traffic and/or construction zones. Must safely handle patients, both stretcher and wheelchair, in loading and unloading from vans and buses. The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Shift work may be required. May be required to work overtime after normal working hours providing it is an emergency or their services are needed.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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.

Whole Health Statement: The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model that is based in a partnership across time, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.