Engineering Equipment Operator

Summary This Engineering Equipment Operator position is located in Engineering Service with VA Boston Healthcare System at the West Roxbury, MA campus. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. ***This is an open and continuous job opportunity announcement and may close at any time once all positions are filled.*** Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation 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. Continuing Education: Must complete Massachusetts Hoist Operators course for operation of hydraulic equipment. Skills and Knowledge Required by the Position: The operator must know how to use all the various attachments on the various vehicles. The operator must have foot, hand, eye coordination to-handle the various controls on the vehicles. The operator is required to have a basic knowledge of the nature of the soil and features of the terrain to determine the proper approach according to the condition of the surface and subsurface. The operator must be able to move the equipment about in confined areas. The operator must be knowledgeable and skilled in the operation of heavy equipment, i.e., dump trucks, and be knowledgeable of State motor vehicle regulations. The operator must have knowledge and ability to propagate and cultivate a wide variety of plants, trees, and grasses. The operator must have knowledge and skill to test the soil and decide corrective action to promote growth and Ph balance required for each species with the use of chemicals or natural remedies insuring plants survival. The operator must have knowledge to select the correct plant for the best results considering the soil conditions, sun/shade, adverse climate conditions, moisture, foliage at various stages of growth, flowering periods, weed control, insect control, drainage, and wild animal control, as well as for low maintenance. The operator must be skilled in the installation of material for borders and to use materials and equipment needed for installation. The operator must have knowledge of erosion control techniques and practices. Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate to heavy physical effort with reaching, bending, turning and moving hands, arms, feet and legs to operate different controls on various types of equipment. Work requires frequent bending stooping, kneeling, walking and exposure to constant vibrations and jolting caused by movement of equipment over uneven and rough terrain and running of other power tools. Position may require lifting and moving weight exceeding 50 pounds with or without assistance. Working Conditions: Work is performed in all types of weather, ranging from hot and humid to wet, windy and cold. Working conditions also include dust, dirt, mud and water. Wearing of safety shoes always and personal protective equipment as required by the labels of these products is mandatory. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing. Wearing of hearing protection that will contain the noise level of 85dBA or below is mandatory while operating equipment. While wearing hearing protection devices, the employee must still be able to hear at a level to perform duties in a safe manner. The position shall assist in snow and ice removal using hand tools and other equipment in addition to chemicals of various types without injury to plant material. 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 Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles) Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation) Ability to Operate Safely (Non-motor Vehicles) Operation of Motor Vehicles Reliability and Dependability Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) 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. 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. 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. 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/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. 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. Read more Benefits 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 window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits 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.