Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent employees of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center facility and CTAP eligible applicants only.

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The incumbent performs duties as a laborer in direct support of the supervisor/facility planner and/or other trades and crafts employees engaged in maintenance-related activities. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs a variety of labor tasks such as grounds maintenance, trash collection, policing grounds, washing, cleaning, and similar tasks which typically require only the use of hand tools and which are less physically demanding
• Performs grading and sloping and occasionally breaks up pavement and concrete
• Manual labor tasks in support of facility grounds maintenance activities (e.g., seeding, liming, fertilizing, installing, and removing signs, etc.
• Performs grounds maintenance on grades or slopes; dig ditches and trenches with picks and shovels where dirt is hard and compact
• Clears sidewalks using large, industrial-type, powered snow blowers and shovels
• Loads, unloads, relocates, moves, and carries furniture, heavy boxes, bulky supplies, equipment, office supplies tools and material to, from, and between storage, trucks, and working sites to accommodate moves needed internal to the facility using various types of moving equipment including dollies and carts designed for furniture and appliance relocation
• Assists in maintaining and fabricating structures, facilities, and equipment to support operations; maintaining storage areas, roads, facilities, and signage
• Completes internal facility projects, special construction projects, and upgrades
• Performs basic painting and carpentry duties
• Restocks and cleans storage buildings
• Operates, controls, and maintains push mowers, simple riding-type mowers, large industrial zero-turn mowers, walking-type power mowers, large, complex riding mowers, and specialized mowing equipment
• Operates hand and powered tools in difficult working conditions (e.g., heavy brush areas, steep slopes, and grades)
• Performs routine preventive maintenance on tools and equipment
• Cuts trees and brush using axes, weed eaters, and chain saws
• Operates pickups and similar light vehicles and box truck (less than 26,000 lbs.) in transporting work materials between work areas on the campus and clinics
• Performs other duties as assigned

Applicants resume should demonstrate the ability to follow general instructions or simple drawings to perform tasks that require significant manual skill, prior work experience or training, and very heavy physical effort; skill and ability to add correct fluids and check belts for pre-trip inspections on box trucks under (26,000 lbs.); skill and knowledge to safely operate and perform routine preventive maintenance on simple power equipment such as leaf blowers, weed trimmers, and low-pressure sprayers; Skill and knowledge to safely operate and moving dollies, carts and other equipment designed for moving heavy items such as furniture, appliances and filing cabinets; to safely operate, clean, and perform routine preventive maintenance on heavy power equipment such as snow blowers, chainsaws, and in using basic hand tools, and/or heavy tools (axes, picks, chain saws, etc.); to safely operate a variety of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in areas that require constant attention to working space and environment; to operate push mowers, simple riding-type mowers, large industrial, walking-type power mowers, large, complex riding mowers, and specialized mowing equipment. In addition, it is suggested that applicant's resume demonstrates the ability to independently complete routine assignments within designated time frames or schedules and demonstrates safe and efficient operating techniques and exercises judgment to accomplish work when operating specialized equipment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD09683A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/26/2025.

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 Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Reliability And Dependability
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• 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 Requirements/Working Conditions: Position requires exerting heavy physical effort in frequently lifting, carrying, and moving facility maintenance equipment, supplies, furniture, and other items weighing over 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Work involves continuous walking, bending, moving, and reaching.
Works outside in all kinds of weather and temperature extremes, and inside in areas that may be dusty, drafty, dirty, and noisy. Employee is frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises, muscle strains, sprains, and to occasional chance of serious injury (e.g., broken bones, backinjury, etc.). Special care must be exercised to avoid serious injury while using powered tools and equipment. Employee must follow established safety procedures and use appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment to minimize hazards in the work area. Some work sites are remote andhave no facilities. The equipment, tools, and tasks involved at this level frequently require extreme care and use of safety gloves, ear plugs, safety glasses, or respirators, to avoid severe injuries.

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.

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.