Laborer

Summary

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Laborer. The Laborer will function under the Facilities Maintenance Service.

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Duties

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Performs a full range of laborer functions at the Battle Creek VAMC including but not limited to the following:

• Heaving, lifting moving, disassembling, assembling of moderately heavy objects such as furniture, moving large equipment items (both crated and uncrated) mowing (both walk behind and riding type mowers), tree trimming, pruning, and seeding.
• Regularly operates zero-turn riding mowers equipped with 72-inch mower decks. They are designed for precision maneuvering in confined or obstructed spaces. The laborer uses these mowers in tight and sloped areas such as those located around buildings, near trees, and on grades of up to 20 percent. Operation of this equipment requires significant and continual maneuvering and lever control, performed on a regular and recurring basis due to the layout and terrain of the Medical Center grounds.
• The employees dig and fills in holes, ditches, trenches with pick and shovel where dirt is hard and compact.
• Breaks up pavement with jackhammer mixes and pours concrete, applies asphalt and hot mix products fills and levels holes in damaged roads.
• Performs snow removal duties to include shoveling snow, using a snow blower, plowing, and spreading salt & sand. For snow removal duties, the laborer operates John Deere compact tractors with significant horsepower, including models 3047R, 4066R, 3046R, 3039R, and 3720. These tractors are outfitted with front snow-plow blades and rear salters, and are used to clear roadways, walkways, and parking areas throughout the facility during winter weather events.
• Performs basic operator maintenance (cleans/washes) vehicles. Loading, unloading, and transporting furniture and supplies.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Hours may vary based on Medical Center needs.

Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD94138A

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
• 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.
• A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.
• 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 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, 08/03/2026.

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:

• Follow Directions
• Handle Weights and Loads
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

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.

Working Conditions: Operating power mowers on grades or pushing heavy equipment. Lifting of furniture and landscaping materials, removal of trees and other shrubbery, hand digging trenches, asphalt and concrete repairs, and manual snow removal with a shovel. The position is subject to call-back due to unexpected events such as winter storms and other events to address snow & ice conditions, tree removal, etc.

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.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) 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 with three core elements, 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.