Tractor Operator

Summary

This position is in the Grounds Section of the Facilities and Engineering Service at the Perry Point VA Medical Center. The incumbent operates commercial groundskeeping and mowing equipment & vehicles, and a full range of diesel & gasoline powered tractors and associated implements to perform grounds maintenance and limited construction work, including cutting grass, snow removal, street sweeping, road maintenance & repair, and utility excavations.

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Duties

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• Operates large scale mowing equipment used in grounds maintenance and tractors to move materials, draw implements, tow trailers, and pull objects embedded in ground.
• Operates a small grader to scrape dirt and gravel roads.
• Operates back-hoes to load trucks with stone, dirt, sand, and salt; remove demolished roadway and building materials; and remove snow from facility grounds.
• Operates dump trucks to plow snow, spread salt, and haul grounds materials.
• Operates tractors for lawn and related grounds functions, including cultipacker disc attachments for packing grass seed, a boom tractor for mowing, post hole digger attachments, a high reach, and buckets to trim and decorate trees.
• Operates a forklift with extended boom to place materials on roofs and move pallets.
• Operates rented equipment for special projects including bulldozers for parking lot excavations and settling ponds, asphalt pavers and rollers for repaving work, and smaller trenchers (ditch wenches) to trench for electrical and similar cables.
• Fastens attachments such as graders, snowplows, rollers, mowers, backhoes, spreaders, seeders or vacuums to tractors; Inspects tractors and equipment per manufacturers requirements to ensure proper operation and safe conditions.
• Maintains tractors and equipment, responsible for keeping the equipment clean, well lubricated and in good running condition.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of all assigned equipment at all times.
• Performs safety checks before operating equipment; tightens loose nuts or bolts before operation.
• Adheres to OSHA regulations and VAMHCS policy regarding excavations and trench safety at all times, including any applicable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Operates equipment slowly and deliberately around other persons, other equipment, buildings and utility lines to reduce the chances of injury, damage to equipment, buildings or utilities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7;00am -3:30 pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD23616A

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 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, 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, 09/11/2026.

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
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Measurement and Layout
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• 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.

Physical Requirements: Heavy physical effort is required by the operator in constant bending, reaching, lifting, and turning as well as constant movement of the extremities to operate assigned equipment and controls. Because of the nature of this type of work and equipment, operators are often working in awkward or strained positions.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in all types of weather in all seasons of the year. This includes work from an open seat or operator platform. The incumbent is subject to noisy, dusty, muddy, wet, cold, and hot environments, sometimes including smoke or exhaust fumes. Incumbents may be called in during storms or to work extended hours for utility emergencies such as water main breaks.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

"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."

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.