Laborer

Summary

This Laborer position is within the Facilities Management Service (FMS) at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont.

Duties

• Laborers follow general instructions or simple drawings to perform tasks that require significant manual skill, prior work experience or training, and very heavy physical effort.
• They operate large, complex riding lawn mowers (e.g., multiple and independently-controlled cutting decks) and/or specially designed riding mowers / tractors that operate on steep slopes.
• Equipment characteristics include single-function performance and components that are independently controlled through various hydraulic and/or mechanical devices.
• Duties include but are not limited to: Performs such functions as planting, fertilizing and watering flowers; edging and weeding flower beds; installing bark mulch; and pruning shrubs.
• Required to break up pavement using jackhammers and repair sidewalks and curbs.
• Laborers will be required to clear sidewalks using large, industrial-type, powered snow blowers.
• Dig Ditches and trenches with picks and shovels where dirt is hard and compact.
• Operates large power tillers (walking- or riding-type) to prepare flower beds and lawn areas for sod and bedding plants.
• Operates large, industrial, walking-type power mowers (e.g., one or more cutting decks, mechanical controls, and attachable implements) and/or riding-type mowers (e.g., a fixed or floating cutting deck(s) with limited adjustments.
• Maintains the cleanliness of all equipment assigned as needed and following service policies including cleaning of salt and dirt after use.
• Maintains complete records and logs for all required maintenance and operations.
• Anticipate and schedule more complex maintenance.
• Provide troubleshooting and feedback to mechanics.
• Communicate effectively and succinctly to supervisor and maintenance personnel orally and in writing as required.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday – Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD00506A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Notification: This position is in the Competitive Service.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• This position is a Bargaining Unit position.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC’s.
• Veterans’ preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).
• The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
• In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• Physical Requirements: Be required to help in loading and unloading of motor vehicles such as vans, shuttle van, box truck, jitneys etc. Must properly secure loads in all vehicles.
• Have to exert heavy physical work, i.e., bending, lifting, turning or moving arms, feet, legs; operates hand and foot controls, changes tires, makes emergency repairs on vehicles, is capable of lifting 50 lbs or more, especially patients, materials, supplies, equipment, and furniture.
• Need to be able to cut grass, mow lawns, trim trees, fertilize grass and flowers, and shovel snow.
• Be able to operate equipment in snowstorms which requires strenuous effort and endurance during long hours.
• Working Conditions: Will be required to work outside in both good and inclement weather and on rough and steep terrain.
• Will be exposed to sudden changes in temperature due to demands of the job.
• Will be required to work in contaminated and contagious areas and with contaminated equipment.
• Will be required to lift items in excess of 50 lbs.
• Is subject to the possibility of severe injury including cuts, bruises, broken bones, strained muscles, etc., as a result of accidents while operating equipment, from falling objects, slips and falls, etc. May have to work with contaminated materials, i.e., medical wastes, and supplies.
• Will work with equipment requiring the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) not limited to items such as safety glasses, hearing protection and gloves.
• May be exposed to noise hazards at a level reaching regulatory standards and may necessitate enrollment in the Hearing Conservation Program.
• May be exposed to environmental hazards such as biting and stinging insects, ultraviolet rays, and hot/cold contact surfaces while working outside.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Required: Resume Résumé Reminder:

• Your résumé must include the following information each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé.
• Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
• An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms).
• Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package.
• We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions. Documents Accepted:
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification
• Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
• Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
• Veterans’ Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans’ Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• Applications are accepted online.
• Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.