Clarification from the agency

Open to Current, Permanent employees of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center and its associated outpatient clinics ONLY.

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Duties include but not limited to:

Driver operates and performs operator preventive maintenance for a variety of patient transport vehicles which typically have an approximate gross vehicle weight of 3,000 pounds and up to 26,000 pounds with occasional operation of vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds. Lighter weight vehicles have hydraulic brakes and heaver vehicles have air brakes. Vehicles are driven on the basis of either specific trip assignments or regularly established schedule over public improved and unimproved roads at highway speeds tinder varying types of traffic, weather and driving conditions. Driver operates vehicles on public roads at controlled speeds to insure the-patients comfort and safety.

Driver picks up and transports patients under nonemergency conditions from one location to another maneuvering assigned vehicle around sharp curves and corners and through narrow streets and roadways. Driver will operate a variety of vehicles on a variety of roads at controlled speeds to insure the patient's comfort when braking and maneuvering. Driver is knowledgeable about each assigned vehicle and which routes may be legally driven and the overpass clearances ,and other restrictions on such-routes. The drivers assist the patient and accompanying medical personnel in loading. unloading and securing wheelchair and litter patients. Driver is the first contact with the Veterans ·and is responsible for making the first positive impression. Driver will interact in a courteous and respectful manner with a wide variety of people daily.

Driver will operate passenger shuttle vans, panel vans, box trucks, or buses over a variety of routes and arrive at and depart from pick up and discharge points at scheduled times. Driver is required to plan the daily .primary and alternate routes and know applicable laws and restrictions pertaining to the route. Driver also may operate shuttle vans or buses on special runs for meetings and other activities. The driver checks authorized passes on all passengers. They adhere to all State, local, and installation traffic laws and ordnances. They are required to maneuver the vehicle in and out of constricted areas· including narrow city streets and congested parking lots.

Must be skilled in the operation of multi-passenger, dual axle, air brakes, hydraulic brakes vehicles. Must be familiar with National Department of Transportation and multi-state guidelines/policies .governing motor vehicle operators and well versed in every aspect of patient safety during transport.

Driver will have skill in manipulating controls for starting, stopping, backing, and driving the vehicle in all types of traffic, weather and road conditions. Driver must have knowledge of the height, width, length, weight, and braking systems of the various vehicles in order to judge overhead and side clearances, the turning radius, braking distance, and the safest assistance to be maintained from other vehicles.

The driver is required to have knowledge to make more difficult judgments concerning loading and arranging cargo, overhead and side clearances, the turning radius, braking distance, and the distance to be maintained from other vehicles. The driver will know how to be selective in determining which routes to take because of the size and weight of the vehicle and the laws restricting the use. Driver has skill In driving the various vehicles in various road conditions to transport patients, goods and resources to their destinations, and know how to properly load and secure litter patients, supplies, equipment, and goods in the vehicle.

Drivers of passenger shuttle vans must know the route and the time schedule to follow, and have skill in applying the braking and maneuvering the vehicle to avoid jostling the passengers. In connection with special routes or tour trips, the driver has the ability to deal effectively with people in a hospitable manner. Also, the driver has the skill in selecting alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic or other delaying conditions, and skills in map reading in order to reach unfamiliar locations.

Driver will be required to know office automation duties specifically, Microsoft Office (MS) to communicate using MS Outlook, utilize MS Word and Excel and Training Management System to maintain annual competencies. TMS work is routine and straightforward, requiring the execution of simple or well-defined functions. Driver will be required to attend job-related skills training as coordinated by the Supervisor of Gardener & Transportation Department with input from the VTS Mobility Manager.

Work Schedule: 6:45am to 3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD06269A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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)
• Have a current valid Tennessee drivers license and a Class B Commercial Driver's License (COL) with the ability to obtain and maintain a Class A CDL

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, 05/27/2026.

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)
• 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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The driver is required to exert moderate physical effort in reaching, bending, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls, assist patients and passengers and load and unload cargo daily. The driver will be involved in moderate physical effort in the frequent handling of objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Moderate 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. The driver must be able to assist patients into and out of the vehicle, which involves physical exertion and frequent patients into and out of the vehicle, which involves physical exertion and frequent stooping or bending doors are manual therefore require effort for the driver to operate.

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.