Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent VA Employees, current, Federal employees on a Career/Career-Conditional appointment or in the Excepted service covered by an Interchange Agreement; Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP) eligibles, Veterans eligible under the VEOA, Individuals with Disabilities, and Land Management employees.

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until August 26, 2026, or until all positions are filled. The first cut-off date is June 5, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period.--


Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Operates farm-type tractors and towed or attached equipment through hydraulic or mechanical controls.
• Manipulates both tractor and equipment controls simultaneously.
• Works on level or rolling terrain in such places as open fields, parks, and lawns.
• Uses mowers, plows, aerators, chippers, sprayers, disks, front-end loading devices, backhoes, and equipment that may be operated by direct drive or a power take off.
• Operates heavy equipment to push, pull, pile or load materials.
• Moves bulky/heavy items using hand trucks and/or dollies.
• Cuts grass with push lawn mowers, rakes leaves, and pulls weeds.
• Spreads salt/chemicals on icy surfaces, shovels snow and/or snowplows.
• Operates farm-type tractors, backhoe attachments and front end loaders;
• Operates trucks for delivery of items from one area to another, such as supplies, equipment,furniture, food, soiled linen etc.;
• Operates mowers to mow lawns, to remove leaves, to remove snow, clean parking lots, roads,sidewalks, entranceways, and to remove and replace soil;
• Performs daily cleaning and maintenance of tractor, truck and all equipment used;
• Performs backhoe operations and snow/ice removal;
• Plants trees, shrubs and flower beds;
• Keeps trash and debris removed from roadways, sidewalks and entrances;
• Completes specific assignments operating platforms, stakes, and dump trucks.
• Completes routine operator maintenance on vehicles and equipment used.
• Assist other workmen in the Facility Site Services Section and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD08613A
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)
• You will be required to obtain a Pest Control License/Certification for the use of fungicides,herbicides and insecticides in support of grounds maintenance.

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, 08/26/2026.

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: For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities(called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1).Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements.

• Accountability
• Agility
• Attention to Detail
• Horticulture
• Landscape Architecture
• Self Management
• Teamwork
• Vehicle Operation

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.

A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identifi ed for this position:
Selective Placement Factors(SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Do you have a valid state driver's license? (Please do not submit a copy of your driver's license; we may not accept pictures. (This will be verified if interviewed)


Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
The position requires more frequent bending, stooping, reaching with both legs, and arm movement to operate truck and tractor like equipment. The incumbent is expected to apply heavy physical effort in doing such tasks as frequently lifting and moving objects, and operating (push type) power mowers on rough terrain or pushing heavy equipment attachments. Precise work is required when performing backhoe operations and snow/ice removal.

Generally, work is performed outside in all kinds of weather, including freezing conditions. Work is dirty, dusty and noisy. Equipment operated requires special care to avoid serious injury. Incumbent must utilize proper personal protective equipment. Incumbent is subject to falls, bruises, cuts and occasional broken bones. Incumbent may be exposed to injury from overturned tractors, which are operated on steep grades and slopes.

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.