Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (COVID-19 - VA 005) in-accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3) and 5 CFR 337.205(b)(1)-(4).

The position reports to and is accountable to the Grounds Supervisor for the quality and quantity of work performed by the work unit. The position normally acts within general VA instructions, VA standard procedures, and established Engineering Service policies to assure efficient and economical accomplishment of work assignments within general schedules and instructions set forth by the Engineering Manager. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Engineering Equipment Operator - 50 Percent:

• This position is located at an assigned Veterans Affairs medical facility performing work to handle different sets of controls to operate the equipment and attachments involved in the operation of gasoline- and diesel-powered engineering and construction equipment with wheeled traction. This includes the operation of all facility owned or rental equipment to perform such functions as cutting, moving, digging, grading, and rolling earth, sand, stone, snow, and other materials. Equipment utilized includes:
• A770 all wheel steer skid loader with buckets and blades to remove paving, concrete, construction debris, or cut back soil to prepare for horizontal construction (roadways, sidewalks, parking areas).
• Volvo front-end loaders with bucket and backhoe implements to move earth and various materials. Additionally, utilize various implements to include hoisting bars for equipment and material, utilizing all terrain forklift attachments to place material on difficult terrain, operation with personal cage for aerial work. Loads dump trucks or 30-yard dumpsters with refuse. Fills dump trucks and equipment with material such as salt, sand, loam, and mulch.
• Utilization of backhoes and trench diggers to excavate buried utilities requiring repair by in house labor such as water and sewer main lines. Operation of tractor mounted hydraulic hammers to break and remove concrete and asphalt surfaces.
• Operation of commercial dump truck (highway sized) with hydraulic attachments including highway rated plow and sander.
• Required to safely operate all types of equipment utilized in grounds operations including the ability to obtain and maintain Massachusetts Hoist Operators License.
• Adjusts the attachments for proper level, angle, or depth, according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used.
• Work is generally performed on flat or rolling terrain and paved roads.
• Performs work near buildings, trees or shrubs.
• Performs preventative maintenance prior to, during and after operation.

Gardener - 50 Percent:

• Prepares the soil for plants, seeds, thins, transplants, trims, prunes, fertilizes, aerates, mulches, sprays, and dusts grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs and trees using independent judgment and decision making. Prepares new planting areas for propagation of wildflower beds, domestic flowers beds, trees, shrubs and grasses. Prunes shrubs, trees and other plants to remove obvious defects and excess branches to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth, and to modify or retain the natural form of the tree, shrub, or plant. Installs landscaping materials.
• Operates mowing and trimming equipment routinely used in the maintenance of high­quality stand of turfgrass. This equipment includes aerification and thatch removal devices, woody plant trimming and tree pruning equipment, and automatic turfgrass irrigation systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Position Description Title/PD#: Engineering Equipment Operator/PD523-02869-A
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.
Work Environment: 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.

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.

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.

Skills and Knowledge Required by the Position:

• The operator must know how to use all the various attachments on the various vehicles.
• 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.
• Must be knowledgeable and skilled in the operation of heavy equipment, i.e., dump trucks, and be knowledgeable of State motor vehicle regulations.
• Must have knowledge and ability to propagate and cultivate a wide variety of plants, trees, and grasses.
• 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.
• 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.
• Must be skilled in the installation of material for borders and to use materials and equipment needed for installation.
• Must have knowledge of erosion control techniques and practices.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operates gasoline- and diesel-powered engineering and construction equipment with wheeled traction.
• Utilizes implements to include hoisting bars for equipment and material, all terrain forklift attachments to place material, operation with personal cage for aerial work.
• Adjusts the attachments for proper level, angle, or depth, according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used.
• Prepares soil for plants, seeds, thins, transplants, trims, prunes, fertilizes, aerates, mulches, sprays, and dusts grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs and trees.
• Prunes shrubs, trees and other plants to remove obvious defects and excess branches.
• Operates mowing and trimming equipment routinely used in the maintenance of high quality stand of turf grass.
• Operates commercial dump truck (highway sized) with hydraulic attachments including highway rated plow and sander.
• Utilizes backhoes and trench diggers to excavate buried utilities requiring repair by in house labor such as water and sewer main lines.
• Operates tractor mounted hydraulic hammers to break and remove concrete and asphalt surfaces.
• Fills dump trucks and equipment with material such as salt, sand, loam, and mulch.
• Functions independently in determining proper work methods.
• Plans and lays outs work using blueprints, sketches, work orders, and other specifications.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following information each job listed:

1. Job title
2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

• 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 position is in the Competitive Service.
• The restriction on movement of an employee following appointment using Direct Hire Authority (following competitive appointment in 5 C.F.R. 330.502) applies for the first 90 days.
• This position is covered by Federal Wage System Special Wage Rates for Skilled Trades Positions Boston, Massachusetts, AC-F068.
• Individuals appointed under Direct Hire Authority procedures receive appointments to competitive service positions. Consistent with 5 C.F.R. 315.801, 5 C.F.R. 315.802 and 5 C.F.R. 316.304, an individual is required to serve a 1 year probationary unless the individual has prior service that counts toward completion of the probationary period.
• Veterans' preference in hiring does not apply when selecting individuals under VA's Direct Hire Authority. When hiring under Direct Hire Authority, the law allows selecting officials to hire applicants without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3309-3318, which eliminates the requirement for applying Veterans' preference. VA HR Offices may assess and select any qualified applicant in the order applicants are received.