Tractor Operator

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Leavenworth (KS); On-site; USD 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, KS seeks a Tractor Operator. The role involves heavy physical effort, frequent lifting and outdoor work in varying weather, including snow and heat.

Candidates must be able to operate heavy machinery and drive safely while performing grounds maintenance and related tasks. Applicants should be prepared for shifts that may require responding to emergencies at any time, with safety gear and procedures emphasized to minimize risk in

Qualifications

• Drive safely with mobile equipment and vehicles.
• Interpret instructions and specifications for equipment operations.
• Operate motor vehicles and non-motor equipment safely.
• Demonstrate reliability and dependability in tasks.
• Work with minimal supervision and follow procedures.
• Adopt proper work practices in varied environments.

Skills

Drive Safely

Interpret Instructions, Specifications

Motor Vehicles

Operate Safely

Reliability And Dependability

Without more than normal supervision

Work Practices

Job description

This position is located in the Facilities Maintenance Service (FMS) of the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, KS. Physical Effort: The Tractor Operator position requires considerable physical effort on a regular basis. Duties involve frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying of tools, equipment attachments, and materials of varying weights, sizes, and shapes. The work requires substantial muscular exertion, including continuous standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, and occasional crawling or crouching in tight or uneven outdoor spaces. Assignments may require long periods of operating and maneuvering heavy machinery, which can involve repetitive motions and maintaining awkward or fixed positions for extended durations. The incumbent is regularly exposed to physically demanding tasks such as attaching/detaching implements, clearing snow and debris, and performing general grounds maintenance under varying and sometimes adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice. Frequent transition between indoor and outdoor environments is required. The position demands stamina and flexibility to respond to emergency situations at the Medical Center at any time, necessitating work under potentially hazardous or uncomfortable conditions, such as in poorly ventilated areas, near hot water lines, or in inclement weather.

Working Conditions: The Tractor Operator is frequently exposed to a range of potentially hazardous and uncomfortable working conditions. Work is often performed outdoors, subjecting the incumbent to all types of weather, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, high winds, and humidity. Operations may take place on uneven, slippery, or muddy terrain, increasing the risk of accidents. The nature of equipment operation often results in exposure to noise, vibration, fumes, dust, and dirt. Additionally, duties may require working in poorly ventilated areas, confined spaces, or in proximity to moving machinery, steam lines, and hot water pipes. The incumbent may encounter grease, oils, and chemical agents related to equipment maintenance and grounds care. There is also a risk of minor cuts, bruises, burns, or more serious injury if proper safety precautions are not observed. The position requires the flexibility to respond to emergencies at any hour, which may involve working under even more difficult or hazardous conditions. Personal protective equipment and safety adherence are essential aspects of the work environment to minimize health and safety risks.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. 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. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Drive Safely
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
• Motor Vehicles
• Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Reliability And Dependability
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.