Laborer (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Summary

This position is located in the Construction Section of Engineering Service at the VA Medical Center, Huntington, WV, a 1 (c)-complexity hospital.

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Duties

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The incumbent will serve as a general laborer assigned to the Construction Shop where they will assist journeyman carpenters.

Primary Duties:

• The primary duties of the incumbent include, but are not limited to:
  • Loading and unloading furniture
  • Assemble and disassemble furniture
  • Clean, sweep, pick up, and organize work/storage space areas throughout
  • Operate moving equipment (appliance dollies, flat carts, carpet dollies, etc.)
  • Perform or assist with minor carpenter work on an as needed basis (hang signage, soap/paper towel/toilet paper dispensers, as well as assist with hanging art work, dry erase boards, bulletin boards, etc.)
• Incumbent will also relocate and/or move furniture and heavy equipment in and between buildings as required. In all cases, this will require some kind of outside work and ability to drive a vehicle.
• The incumbent loads and unloads from trucks materials and equipment such as salt, fertilizer, furniture, and trash. Required to use forklifts for various operations. May clean other areas of the hospital such as attics, service rooms, or basement areas. Incumbent performs other labor type duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge:

• The incumbent must have ability, skill, and knowledge required for safe operation and control of heavy power equipment as well as manual equipment, like hand carts and dollies.
• Incumbent must have basic knowledge in the operation of basic hand tools to accomplish tasks or perform minor carpentry work. Equipment includes, but is not limited to: drills, hammers, screwdrivers, plyers, tape measures, etc. Incumbent should be able to, recognize typical health and safety hazards.
• Incumbent must maintain a current valid driver's license as a key function of the position is to operate various types of government owned and leased vehicles. Incumbent will be driving passenger grade trucks such as a Dodge Ram or Ford F150/250. Specifically, GVW <10,000 lbs.

Work Schedule: FT, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer (Motor Vehicle Operator)/PD19010A

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
• 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, 07/30/2026.

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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• 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/Working Conditions:

Physical Effort:

The incumbent is required to do frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending, stooping, lifting, and moving heavy objects weighing up to 40 pounds, mowing on steep grades, and working from ladders while assisting in the removal of dead branches and pruning of trees. Occasional lifting of heavy objects weighing 50 pounds is required.

Working Conditions:

Work is done indoors or outdoors, in garages, attics, sub-basements, or Medical Center buildings. When working outside the incumbent is subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot sun mowing, trimming, etc., and extremely cold weather removing snow and ice from walks and parking lots. The incumbent is exposed to dirt, dust, mud, and chemical sprays and dusts, is required to wear protective clothing, such as gloves, safety shoes, etc. The incumbent is exposed to minor injuries, such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes in the use of all grounds equipment and must use all safety precautions in performing these tasks.

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.

"Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care."

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.