DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

**VA HEALTHCARE NETWORK UPSTATE NEW YORK**

**ALBANY, NEWYORK 12208**

**VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 528D-08-249**

## OPENING DATE: 09/26/2008 CLOSING DATE: 10/3/2008

**POSITION: Tractor Operator, WG-5705-06**

**SALARY RANGE: \$17.84 -- \$20.80 per hour**

**DUTY LOCATION: Facilities Management,** **VAMC Albany, NY**

## TOUR OF DUTY: Full time, Monday -- Friday (Permanent)

##  

**AREA OF CONSIDERATION:** Current permanent employees of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Canteen Service, current Federal employees
serving under a career or career conditional appointment, former Federal
employees with reinstatement eligibility, or persons eligible for
non-competitive appointment under Special Authorities such as those for
disabled veterans, veterans readjustment appointment (VRA) eligible,
severely handicapped individuals, those eligible under the VA/OPM
Interchange Agreement.  Veterans who are preference eligibles or who
have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions
after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply.

**NUMBER OF VACANCIES: One**

**RELOCATION EXPENSES: No**

**DUTIES:** Incumbent's position is in the Grounds Section of
Engineering Department. Incumbent's main duties include but are not
limited to: grounds care, mowing and grooming lawns, plowing, shoveling
snow, leaf pick-up, tree care and cutting, trimming shrubs and hedges,
moving offices, and picking up trash and recyclables. Incumbent operates
a variety of tractors with attachments for mowing lawns, plowing snow,
blowing snow, picking-up leaves or lawn debris. Tractors are equipped
with standard and automatic transmissions, and hydraulic operation.
Incumbent works beyond eight hours a day frequently while performing
snow removal duties or other tasks as required. Incumbent trims shrubs
and hedges, and mulches trees and flower beds. Incumbent's position
required knowledge of equipment and its operation and is able to perform
minor maintenance. Incumbent has good working knowledge of moving items,
desks, file cabinets, bookcases, etc. Incumbent works or operates in all
types of weather and weather conditions.

**Physical Requirements:** Selected candidate will be required to
successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination.

**BASIS OF RATING:** Only information provided in the application will
be used to evaluate applicants.

**RATING FACTORS:** Applicants will be rated on Job Qualifications
System for Trades and Labor Occupations, WG-5 which are found in the
Office of Personnel Management Handbook, X118C. The Handbook is
available for review in your servicing Human Resources Office. Please
note all your experience (including non-paid), education, training,
job-related awards and honors which address the following job elements.
Element number one is a screen-out element. If your background does not
reflect an acceptable level of performance in this element, your
application will not be given further consideration.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S):** Please explain how your
experience (including non-paid, education, training, job related honors
and awards indicate you meet the rating factors.

> **1. Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal
> supervision.**
>
> **2. Ability to interpret instructions and specifications.**
>
> **3. Ability to operate a variety of landscape and construction-type
> tractors.**
>
> **4. Ability to operate safely.**
>
> **5. Ability to perform the work processes of the position.**
>
> **6. Reliability and dependability as a tractor operator**

**PROMOTION POTENTIAL:** None.

## CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) EMPLOYEES: (1) Must be a current VA employee identified as displaced or surplus serving on a career or career-conditional competitive appointment, or an excepted service appointment without a time limit. (2) The vacancy is at or below the grade level and with no greater promotion potential than the position from which you have or may be separated. (3) You are found to be well-qualified. To be considered well-qualified you must meet the minimum education, experience, suitability and physical requirements. You must also meet all selective factors, where applicable, and exceed the minimum qualifications of the position for all knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristic factors. (4) You must occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the position for which you are applying. Individuals seeking CTAP must submit a copy of their Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, or Certificate of Expected Separation; a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50B which shows tenure and position occupied; and a copy of our most recent performance rating of record. 

## 

## REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

## 

## [HOW TO APPLY]{.underline}: Applicants must submit [completed]{.underline} application package the Human Resources Office by the closing date of the announcement in order to receive consideration. 

## 

**VA Medical Center (05)**

**Human Resources**

##  113 Holland Avenue

**Albany, NY 12208**

**Please submit the following:**

(1) [VA Form
    5-4078](http://vaww.amms.little-rock.med.va.gov/Forms/Forms/VAF 5-4078.dot)
    (Current VA Employees only);

(2) A resume **OR** the Optional Application for Federal Employment
    ([OF-612](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf));

(3) Written response to the rating factors (KSA's);

(4) Declaration for Federal Employment
    [OF-306](http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf)

(5) Current/Former Federal employees should submit most recent SF-50B,
    "Notification of Personnel Action," and a copy of most recent
    performance appraisal (if applicable);

(6) DD-214, if you are claiming veterans' preference provide a copy of
    your DD-214. If you are preference eligible, please submit the
    Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference SF-15 with the required
    documentation.

**PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:** Selected candidate may be required to
successfully pass a medical examination.

**INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES:** Failure to submit a complete
application package, as stated in the announcement, may result in your
application not being rated.

**NO POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE:** In accordance with 18 USC 1719 and USC
3201 the use of postage paid government envelopes for filing job
applications is a violation of federal law and regulations. Applications
submitted using postage paid government envelopes will be rated
ineligible.

**FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Rice 518-626-6773 or Ian Jacobs
518-626-6724.**

**INTERVIEWS:** Any interviews that may be conducted for this position
will utilize the Performance based Interviewing (PBI) process. Further
information is available at [www.va.gov/pbi](http://www.va.gov/pbi) or
from your local Human Resources Office.

**EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:** Selection for this position will be
based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age,
gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual
orientation, marital or family status or other differences.