Tractor Operator

Summary

The incumbent of this position performs Tractor Operator operating wheel-mounted tractors and towed or attached equipment. The work includes transporting materials and equipment, digging. loading, planting, spraying, fertilizing, harvesting, clearing, or mowing. Th duties involve the operation of gasoline and diesel powered mowers and farm type tractors.

This position is located at the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center, Bonham TX.

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Duties

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until August 26, 2026, or until all positions are filled. The first cut-off date is June 5, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period.

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.
• Operates farm-type tractors, backhoe attachments and front end loaders;
• Operates trucks for delivery of items from one area to another, such as supplies, equipment,furniture, food, soiled linen etc.;
• Operates mowers to mow lawns, to remove leaves, to remove snow, clean parking lots, roads,sidewalks, entranceways, and to remove and replace soil;
• Performs daily cleaning and maintenance of tractor, truck and all equipment used;
• Performs backhoe operations and snow/ice removal;
• Plants trees, shrubs and flower beds;
• Keeps trash and debris removed from roadways, sidewalks and entrances;
• 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, 8:00am-4:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD08613A

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 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)
• You will be required to obtain a Pest Control License/Certification for the use of fungicides,herbicides and insecticides in support of grounds maintenance.

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, 08/26/2026.

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: 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.

• Accountability
• Agility
• Attention to Detail
• Horticulture
• Landscape Architecture
• Self Management
• Teamwork
• Vehicle Operation

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.

A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identifi ed for this position:

Selective Placement Factors(SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Do you have a valid state driver's license? (Please do not submit a copy of your driver's license; we may not accept pictures. (This will be verified if interviewed)

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

The position requires more frequent bending, stooping, reaching with both legs, and arm movement to operate truck and tractor like equipment. The incumbent is expected to apply heavy physical effort in doing such tasks as frequently lifting and moving objects, and operating (push type) power mowers on rough terrain or pushing heavy equipment attachments. Precise work is required when performing backhoe operations and snow/ice removal.

Generally, work is performed outside in all kinds of weather, including freezing conditions. Work is dirty, dusty and noisy. Equipment operated requires special care to avoid serious injury. Incumbent must utilize proper personal protective equipment. Incumbent is subject to falls, bruises, cuts and occasional broken bones. Incumbent may be exposed to injury from overturned tractors, which are operated on steep grades and slopes.

Education

No education requirement for this position.

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.

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.