Summary This Laborer position is within the Facilities Management Service (FMS) at the White River Junction VA Medical Center located in White River Junction, VT. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities Laborers follow general instructions or simple drawings to perform tasks that require significant manual skill, prior work experience or training, and very heavy physical effort. They operate large, complex riding lawn mowers (e.g., multiple and independently-controlled cutting decks) and/or specially designed riding mowers / tractors that operate on steep slopes. Equipment characteristics include single-function performance and components that are independently controlled through various hydraulic and/or mechanical devices. Duties include but are not limited to: Performs such functions as planting, fertilizing and watering flowers; edging and weeding flower beds; installing bark mulch; and pruning shrubs. Required to break up pavement using jackhammers and repair sidewalks and curbs. Laborers will be required to clear sidewalks using large, industrial-type, powered snow blowers. Dig Ditches and trenches with picks and shovels where dirt is hard and compact. Operates large power tillers (walking- or riding-type) to prepare flower beds and lawn areas for sod and bedding plants. Operates large, industrial, walking-type power mowers (e.g., one or more cutting decks, mechanical controls, and attachable implements) and/or riding-type mowers (e.g., a fixed or floating cutting deck(s) with limited adjustments. Maintains the cleanliness of all equipment assigned as needed and following service policies including cleaning of salt and dirt after use. Maintains complete records and logs for all required maintenance and operations. Anticipate and schedule more complex maintenance. Provide troubleshooting and feedback to mechanics. Communicate effectively and succinctly to supervisor and maintenance personnel orally and in writing as required. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD00506A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Notification: This position is in the Competitive Service. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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: Be required to help in loading and unloading of motor vehicles such as vans, shuttle van, box truck, jitneys etc. Must properly secure loads in all vehicles. Have to exert heavy physical work, i.e., bending, lifting, turning or moving arms, feet, legs; operates hand and foot controls, changes tires, makes emergency repairs on vehicles, is capable of lifting 50 lbs or more, especially patients, materials, supplies, equipment, and furniture. Need to be able to cut grass, mow lawns, trim trees, fertilize grass and flowers, and shovel snow. Be able to operate equipment in snowstorms which requires strenuous effort and endurance during long hours. Working Conditions: Will be required to work outside in both good and inclement weather and on rough and steep terrain. Will be exposed to sudden changes in temperature due to demands of the job. Will be required to work in contaminated and contagious areas and with contaminated equipment. Will be required to lift items in excess of 50 lbs. Is subject to the possibility of severe injury including cuts, bruises, broken bones, strained muscles, etc., as a result of accidents while operating equipment, from falling objects, slips and falls, etc. May have to work with contaminated materials, i.e., medical wastes, and supplies. Will work with equipment requiring the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) not limited to items such as safety glasses, hearing protection and gloves. May be exposed to noise hazards at a level reaching regulatory standards and may necessitate enrollment in the Hearing Conservation Program. May be exposed to environmental hazards such as biting and stinging insects, ultraviolet rays, and hot/cold contact surfaces while working outside. Education Additional Information 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. A supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.