Massachusetts Green Jobs

Summary This Engineering Equipment Operator position is located in the Facilities Management Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities The position reports to and is accountable to the Grounds Supervisor for the quality and quantity of work performed by the work unit. The position normally acts within general VA instructions, VA standard procedures, and established Engineering Service policies to assure efficient and economical accomplishment of work assignments within general schedules and instructions set forth by the Engineering Manager. Operates gasoline- and diesel-powered engineering and construction equipment with wheeled traction. Utilizes implements to include hoisting bars for equipment and material, all terrain forklift attachments to place material, operation with personal cage for aerial work. Adjusts the attachments for proper level, angle, or depth, according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used. Prepares soil for plants, seeds, thins, transplants, trims, prunes, fertilizes, aerates, mulches, sprays, and dusts grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs and trees. Prunes shrubs, trees and other plants to remove obvious defects and excess branches. Operates mowing and trimming equipment routinely used in the maintenance of high quality stand of turf grass. Operates commercial dump truck (highway sized) with hydraulic attachments including highway rated plow and sander. Utilizes backhoes and trench diggers to excavate buried utilities requiring repair by in house labor such as water and sewer main lines. Operates tractor mounted hydraulic hammers to break and remove concrete and asphalt surfaces. Fills dump trucks and equipment with material such as salt, sand, loam, and mulch. Functions independently in determining proper work methods. Plans and lays outs work using blueprints, sketches, work orders, and other specifications. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Engineering Equipment Operator/PD523-02869-A Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate to heavy physical effort with reaching, bending, turning and moving hands, arms, feet and legs to operate different controls on various types of equipment. Work requires frequent bending stooping, kneeling, walking and exposure to constant vibrations and jolting caused by movement of equipment over uneven and rough terrain and running of other power tools. Position may require lifting and moving weight exceeding 50 pounds with or without assistance. Work Environment: Work is performed in all types of weather, ranging from hot and humid to wet, windy and cold. Working conditions also include dust, dirt, mud and water. Wearing of safety shoes always and personal protective equipment as required by the labels of these products is mandatory. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing. Wearing of hearing protection that will contain the noise level of 85dBA or below is mandatory while operating equipment. While wearing hearing protection devices, the employee must still be able to hear at a level to perform duties in a safe manner. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Motor Vehicles Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Education Additional Information The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.