Clarification from the agency

NOTE: This is an open continuous announcement and applications submitted prior to 09/30/2023 will be pulled and rated for referral. Further ratings will occur every week thereafter until positions are filled. Once all selections have been made, no further candidates will be rated/referred unless further vacancies occur. This announcement may be canceled at any time.

Videos

Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday - Friday; 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Tour of duty subject to change without more than normal supervision
Position Description Title/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD00088-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicant.

Duties for the position include but are not limited to:

• Operation of shuttles used for Patient Transportation, including 16-40 passenger buses, equipped with wheelchair lifts, Dual Use Vehicles (DUV), and Mobile Medical Units (MMU) to support medical mission activities. May operate 2014 Blue Bird Passenger Bus up to 45 feet in length and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is 26,001 - 33,000 pounds. The Blue Bird Bus is equipped with air brakes.
• Operation of gasoline, diesel, hybrid gas-electric, and electric motor vehicles including grounds utility carts, passenger cars, station wagons, vans, pick-ups, and panel, stake or open bed trucks over 26,001 to 32,000-pound GVWR capacities. Also operates cargo vans and trucks with up to and including 1O forward speeds and 6 driving wheels, and special purpose vehicles with equipment such as power takeoff, winches, power tailgates, lifts, 240v - 50-watt house-power generators, etc. Assignment of duties will not exceed any classification restrictions.
• Maintains vehicles, both interior and exterior, in a clean and serviceable condition; inspects vehicles for such items as coolant or water, oil, gas, grease and battery liquids, and that diesel exhaust fluid reservoirs are within safe operational limits. Ensures that vehicle is compliant with safety equipment and other operating equipment such as lights, signals, windshield wipers, and that passenger restraint systems are in good operating condition. Makes minor emergency repairs on the road such as changing tires and/or wheels when it is not practical or safe to obtain garage service.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2023.

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.

Licensure: Must possess an active/current class "B" California driver's license with passenger and air break endorsements.

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:

• Drive Safely
• Motor Vehicles
• Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Reliability And Dependability
• 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.

Physical Effort: Physical and mental coordination and concentration is required for starting, stopping, driving, turning, and otherwise safe operation of a motor vehicle. Moderate physical effort lifting to 40 pounds unassisted and occasional handling of objects greater than 40 pounds with assistance. Physical effort may be required in making couplings between the vehicle and towed equipment because safety chains, tow-bars, and hooks must be lifted and properly secured. Considerable physical effort 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.

Physical effort is needed at this level to maneuver the longer and heavier vehicles, especially when turning, backing, and controlling vehicles which carry heavier loads or larger numbers of people. Ambulance or patient transport vehicle drivers may be required to assist patients into and out of the vehicle, which involves physical exertion and frequent stooping and bending.

Must have rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, good hearing, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades. Glasses are permitted, hearing aid is permitted IAW medical certification requirements for CDL as established by Federal and State law.

Working Conditions: Ability to sit for extended hours while driving established shuttle routes over a variety of road and environmental conditions (day, night, wet, dry, snow, frost, hot, cold). Works outside when loading and unloading cargo, assisting passengers, and entering and exiting vehicles. Operate vehicles in all types of traffic and weather on public roads (or the equivalent), and are exposed to the danger of serious accidents. They drive in heavy traffic and at highway speeds over complicated road and interchange systems.

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Financial disclosure not required.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.