This position is located in the Grounds & Equipment Section of the Facilities Management Service at the VA Central Western Massachusetts (VACWM) in Leeds MA. The primary purpose of this position is to maintain the roads and grounds of the Medical Center consisting of approx. 25 buildings and 110 acres. This position is under the direct supervision of the Grounds & Equipment Supervisor. The operations and equipment are similar to what is found at a municipal Department of Public Works (DPW).

Duties

This is an Open and Continuous Announcement (OCA), intended for current and future vacancies at the location listed. This announcement will remain open until the closing date of 12/27/2024. Applications will be reviewed and referred at regular intervals every two weeks starting on 9/27/2024 or based on the needs of the facility. The Grounds & Equipment section is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all roads, grounds, sidewalks, parking lots, street drainage systems, rain gutters, lawns, tree's, flower beds, and other miscellaneous outside areas and activities, as well as snow removal operations. The incumbent is responsible to perform all labor and small equipment operations in order to complete the sections work assignments, including other duties as assigned in order to meet common team goals. Some duties may include: Accomplish the seasonal tasks of gardening, lawn mowing, snow removal and related daily tasks of a general laborer similar to a municipal DPW. Prepares ground, lays seed or sod, planting flowers or shrubs, using simple drawings to establish a planting pattern and/or design in accordance with project requirements. Knowledge and ability to use a variety of power tools, small tractors, snow blowers and mowers in order to accomplish all related duties. Ability to exert very heavy physical effort to frequently lift, move and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted and occasionally items weighing 100 pounds or more, with assistance or mechanized equipment. At entry, the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, in any state, to operate Government vehicles. Understand the importance of the new Safety Data Sheet (SDS) under the new Global Harmonization System (GHS) and how it pertains to worker safety and chemical storage & use for such chemicals as: gasoline, diesel fuel, oils, grease, lubricants, de-greasers, etc Responsible for all equipment assigned, including but not limited to: equipment pre-checks for proper engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil levels, tire pressures, cleans radiators and air filters of debris, lubricates zerk fittings at pivot points and rotating assemblies, sharpens blades and adjusts deck heights and castor wheel clearance both manually and hydraulically, before and during equipment operation and on steep terrain. Support for pot hole & concrete sidewalk repairs as well as paint striping of cross walks, parking lots and fire lanes. Seasonal leaf removal using hand rakes, push & backpack blowers and a gas powered leaf vacuum system. Knowledge of proper Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) practices to ensure personal safety during equipment adjustment, maintenance, cleaning or repair. Use all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure work is completed safely and in compliance with all OSHA and VA laws, regulations and requirements. All VA employees are required to be literate in both the English language and computer usage in order to: communicate effectively with staff and patients, complete mandatory training, email communications, to view and manage their own pay/allotments/personnel file, as well as submit their own leave requests electronically. Work Schedule: 40 hours a Week, Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm, EST. Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD00410A Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting, walking, stopping, bending, carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, and shoveling. Must be physically able to frequently lift, move, and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted and occasionally items weighing 100 pounds or more, with assistance or mechanized equipment. Incumbent must have the physical ability to exert very heavy physical effort in order to operate large riding mowers on on grades, shovel, rake, lift, grade, tamp, screed and bull float: asphalt, concrete, stone, earth spoils, snow and ice, loam and mulch. NOTIFICATIONS: This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. Selectee must possess a Current Valid Drivers License from a State. Selectee must have a safe driving record. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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 SafetyDrive SafelyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)Use and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout more than normal supervisionWork Practices Preferred Experience: Laborer Experience from a Department of Public Works (DPW) or in Commercial Landscaping. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: To qualify you must possess a Current and Valid Driver's License. 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Northampton VA Medical Center 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 US
• Name: Emily Wayne-Lane
• Phone: 781-687-2000 (6764)
• Email: [email protected]