Summary This position is located in the Grounds Section of the Engineering department in Facilities Management Service (FMS) Line of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). The incumbent is a motor vehicle operator/laborer, responsible for all facets of grounds keeping and general labor activities. The incumbent will be assigned a duty station; however, may be required to work at both the HJ Heinz and University Drive campuses as directed. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: Operate various gasoline powered equipment and assorted hand tools including lawn trackers/mowers, weed whackers, chain saws and tree trimming equipment. Perform maintenance on equipment operated (e.g., replacing air filters and changing oil, etc.). Digs ditches and trenches with a pick and shovel, does grading and sloping, breaks up concrete with a jackhammer, mixes concrete and applies hot and cold patch asphalt when filling in holes in roadways. Responsible for snow removal. Includes operation of one (1) ton pick-up and five (5) ton dump truck for the snow removal and spreading of salt. Also, manually shovels sidewalks and entry ways and then spreads salt. Performs daily policing of the grounds, empties trash cans and cleans under and around refuse dumpsters. Cleans window wells and storm sewers and picks up and disposes of rubbish and trash utilizing the off-road vehicle, one (1) ton pick-up and/or dump trucks. Use pressure washer to clean side walls, walkways and equipment. Assist gardener with planting, cultivating, feeding, weeding, trimming and watering flowers and trees. Removes diseased or damaged trees, including root removal. Spreading mulch and/or stone, and installing lawn edging. Removes fallen leaves, twigs and branches by bagging or disposing to designated areas. In addition, utilizes the one (1) ton dump truck and vacuum to pick up and dispose of leaves. Performs all phases of moving furniture throughout the hospital and the loading and unloading of construction materials, supplies and equipment. Compliance with all safety regulations to avoid injury. Perform general labor duties as directed by the supervisor and other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD00532A Physical Requirements: Exerts very heavy physical effort when moving furniture (lifts up to 100 pounds),handling 60-pound bags of salt, and operating the jackhammer. Operates power mowers on steep slopes and grades and pushes wheel barrel loads of cement, stone and mulch. Required to perform frequent walking, bending, stooping and reaching. May require heavy physical effort when shoveling snow in the winter. 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: Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations) Reliability And Dependability 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. Education There is no education substitute for experience with this position. Additional Information 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/.