Summary The purpose of this position is to operate patient transport vehicles, including emergency vehicles, patient transport vans/buses and other types transport vehicles, capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers, to and from VA Medical Center facilities, private healthcare facilities, and other private sector areas like patient homes, railway, bus stations and airports. The Motor Vehicle Operator (MVO) drives pre-determined and/or scheduled routes or special runs. Responsibilities The Motor Vehicle Operator (MVO) is under the supervision of the Mobility Manager/MVO Supervisor/Transportation Coordinator. The MVO receives work assignments and direction regarding work methods, procedures, and schedules from either the Transportation Coordinator and/or the Mobility Manager. The MVO operates one or more types of patient transport vehicles, including emergency vehicles, patient transport vans/buses and other types of transport vehicles, capable of carrying up to 14 passengers, to and from VA Medical Center facilities, private healthcare facilities, and other private sector areas like patient homes, railway, bus stations and airports. The MVO drives predetermined and/or scheduled routes or special runs. Arrives at and departs from pick- up and discharge points at scheduled times. Driver cannot alter routes unless directed by dispatcher or due to road/traffic conditions; proceeds only to designated areas or hospital; cooperates in a coordinated, constantly flowing efforts. Operates the doors to allow passengers to enter and leave the vehicle. Read installation maps and judges road/traffic conditions to determine the shortest and safest route. Provide friendly, polite, and courteous service. Enforce passenger safety and seatbelt use. Check I.D. cards to ensure authorization of passengers as required. Vehicles are driven over roads and streets through various types of traffic and possible weather conditions. Vehicle types may include special purpose vehicles equipped with special purpose equipment and levers, buttons, pedals, and control equipment (e.g., wheelchair lifts). Responsibilities are to safely transport patients in a manner that minimizes disruption to personnel and ensure maximum comfort during travel. Knows and abides by rules, laws and traffic regulations pertaining to state laws. When transporting patients, the MVO must be able to load and unload patients safely. Makes trip to medical facilities, homes, railway, bus stations and airport. Trips may require pick up from private homes, nursing homes, hospitals, and doctors' offices and in some cases housing and employment areas in a timely and courteous manner. Use multiple variations of Mobile Data Computer (MDC) in and out of the vehicles for assigned trips and duties daily. Employee required to deal with patients, families of patients, charge nurses, doctors, and other medical staff in a professional and courteous manner. May be required to transfer neurotic patients with and without assistance depending on the patient's condition and medical approval. The MVO loads and unloads patients, medical supplies and may be required to perform other duties as assigned. MVO may operate a stretcher van, 1-ton wheelchair van, a passenger van, a large passenger bus, Dual Use Vehicles and other vehicles as assigned and needed to transport patients. Required to pick up and deliver patients mainly throughout the Catchment area, as assigned by the Mobility Manager/MVO Supervisor/Transportation Coordinator. Vehicles will range from 8,900 GVW to 26,000 GVW with wheelchair lift or ramp. The Motor Vehicle Operator will follow all applicable and current laws, regulations, VA directives, policies etc. Perform operator maintenance such as checking fluid levels and air pressure in tires, cleaning and washing of vehicles, and performing inspection checklists to ensure safe and proper operation. The Motor Vehicle Operator performs other related duties as assigned. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm or as determined by supervisor. Position Description/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD08873A Requirements 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Current/Permanent Drivers License Required Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/15/2024. 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 eligible candidates are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: The ability to do the duty of a Motor Vehicle Operator, WG-5706-06, without more than normal supervision Drive Safely Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations) Motor Vehicles Reliability And Dependability Without more than normal supervision Work Practices Training/Certifications: Driver must have a valid, Driver License and have a working knowledge of all Federal and California Vehicle Codes Driver is required to meet National Department of Transportation requirements including random drug testing. Driver is required to maintain a current Basic Life Support Card. Employee demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients being served. Will be required to attend job-related skills and training as coordinated through the Veterans Transportation Service program. 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: Light physical effort in reaching, bending, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Moderate physical effort in the frequent handling of objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Considerable physical efforts may be required to change tires and make limited emergency repairs, such as installing an emergency fan belt or replacing an electrical fuse on open highways. Patient transport vehicle driver must be able to assist patients into and out of the vehicle, which involves physical exertion and frequent stooping, bending, and lifting of patients. Driver must also be able to load and assist wheelchair patients, often with no assistance. Working Conditions: Employee works mostly outside, is exposed to dirt and fumes, and to the possibility of cuts and bruises, and broken bones as a result of accidents while driving or from falling objects when loading and unloading the vehicle. Operates vehicle in all types of traffic and weather on public roads (or the equivalent), and is exposed to the danger of serious accidents. Employee will drive in heavy traffic and at highway speeds over complicated road and interchange systems. Education There is no education substitution. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. If you are unable to apply online and request information about the Alternate Application process, please contact the Agency Contact listed for this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA).