Engineering Equipment Operator

This position is at the full performance level, located at the Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital, Loma Linda, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Facilities Management Service. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a subject matter expert in the Grounds Shop, engaged in the maintenance, repair, and construction of the VA Loma Linda grounds including irrigation systems, seasonal gardening tasks to maintain the landscape and interior patios, and ponds on a 39.5-acre campus

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
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
• Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)

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.

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Have knowledge in the use of all power and manual equipment tools of the trade
• Posses the ability to set up the necessary equipment, tools, and materials to complete the task assigned
• Have knowledge of what preventive maintenance is required for all equipment and tools of the trade
• Develop a bill of materials for all landscaping projects and obtain market research proposals
• Maintain the proper amount of moisture (water) to lawns, grasses, trees, shrubs, and ground cover on the Hospital Grounds
• Posses knowledge and skill in ornamental horticulture to transplant, fertilize, seed, aerate soil, lay sod, plant, shear hedges and prune trees.
• Posses a basic understanding of irrigation system programming, repairs, and installation
• Possess the ability to repair small motors for equipment utilized in maintaining the grounds to include, including chainsaws, lawnmowers, blowers, and pressure washers
• Skill in operating backhoes and front-end loaders to dig ditches, move trees, load and unload soil, etc.
• Operate one or more types of heavy equipment to push, pull, pile, or load materials such as sand, gravel, earth, coal, or refuse
• Operate boom slope mowers to cut grass on slopes, as applicable, while operating a tractor on level ground, such as along roadsides

Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 7:00 AM-3:30 PM

Position Description Title/PD#: Engineering Equipment Operator/PD14825A
Physical Requirements: Work is performed in all types of weather, often in an open driver's seat or platform, on hills, slopes, grades, rolling surfaces, and forests. The operators are exposed to injury due to the possibility of the equipment overturning. They are subject to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from the motor and exhaust. 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. Safety shoes and wearing personal protective equipment as required by the labels of these products are mandatory. Employees may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day.

Elements considered under this factor include, but are not limited to:
(1) Lighting, heating, and ventilation in work area.
(2) Weather conditions to which exposed when working outdoors.
(3) Temperature to which exposed in the work area.
(4) Dust, grease, and soiling of clothing and skin surfaces.
(5) Noise and vibration.
(6) Gases and fumes.
(7) Hazards in working above ground level, on slippery surfaces, or in crowded areas near moving vehicles or cutting tools

Salary : $30