Laborer (Motor Vehicle Operating) Job in Strong City, KS

Vacancy No. MW-1543-TAPR-25-12648906-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $24.49 to $28.56 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/20/2024 Close Date 1/10/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Strong City, KS


Summary

perform laboring duties that require moderately heavy physical effort requiring the use of common hand tools and power equipment involving any or all of the following duties. incumbent must on a regular and recurring basis operate light duty motor vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds (such as pick-up trucks, panel trucks, flatbed trucks, etc…) to transport personnel, material, or equipment to work sites over Federal, state, and county roads and city streets in all traffic conditions.



This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) and those eligible under ICTAP/CTAP.

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES

  • moderately heavy physical labor requiring the use of common hand tools and power equipment such as shovels, drills, paint sprayers, rakes, hammers, dollies, mowers, weed eaters, and chain saws.
  • Cleaning of restrooms, office spaces and visitor use spaces removing trash and using brooms, mops, vacuums and cleaning chemical.
  • Must be able to Conduct routine maintenance and upkeep duties, read and follow instructions.
  • Routine laborer tasks (janitorial, grounds, landscaping, manual labor)
  • Operate vehicles up to 10,000 GVW in all weather, traffic, and road conditions.
Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximately October 1-March 30, and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

Area
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located in the Flint Hills of Chase County, just north of Strong City, Kansas. Administrative offices are located adjacent to the Preserve Visitor Center, about two miles north of Strong City, Kansas. County is rural and lightly populated. Major groceries, medical and dental services are located in Emporia, Kansas (20 miles distant). Public schools are located in Cottonwood Falls and Strong City; a state university is located in Emporia. Climate is considered moderate, with average precipitation of over 30", summer high temperatures are 80-100° F, winter low temperatures 10-20° F. Park Housing is not available. Rentals and houses for sale are limited in Chase County but plentiful in Emporia.
Hiring Contact: Skip Willoughby, skip_willoughby@nps.gov

This position is being concurrently announced as merit promotion: MW-1543-25-12648906-IN

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.\
  • Probationary Period: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • Travel: You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
  • Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
  • Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)

Minimum Qualification:

I can perform most of the Laborer (Motor Vehicle Operator) duties including providing laboring assistance to journey level operators in the maintenance of grounds, and roads. Perform manual Labor work which requires frequent lifting and moving of objects and materials weighing up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting and moving of objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more with assistance; and uses a wide variety of light hand and power tools; Operate power equipment such as, lawnmowers, string trimmers, weed whackers, etc.)to clear brush and maintain grounds and roads; Operating motor vehicles up to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight over Federal, state, city streets and county roads in all traffic conditions; empty trash receptacles, clean offices, washing walls, scrubbing floors, cleaning public restrooms and outdoor recreation areas; and assisting higher level journeymen trades people in maintenance related tasks. I have the ability work without more than normal supervision.

Due to the nature of this position as a motor vehicle operator, a valid driver's license is required at time of entrance on duty.

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Physical Demands: The work performed requires the exertion of moderate to very heavy physical effort. The work involves lifting and moving objects over 50 pounds, and in some cases, carrying 80 to 100 pounds (or more) with assistance.

Working Conditions: Outside work is usually performed under all kinds of weather conditions. Indoor work is often accomplished in office buildings or in well-lighted, heated, and ventilated areas such as warehouses, loading docks, or trade shops. Frequently exposed to weather and temperature extremes, drafts, noise, dust, and dirt and the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts and scrapes. Work requires the employee to follow proper safety procedures and use standard safety equipment such as gloves, ear protectors, safety glasses, and steel-toe shoes to avoid possible hazards in the work area. On a regular and recurring basis this position operates light duty motor vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds (such as pick-up trucks, panel trucks, flatbed trucks, etc…) to transport personnel, material, or equipment to work sites over Federal, state, and county roads and city streets in all traffic conditions. The vehicles operated are driven on the basis of either specific trip assignments or regularly established schedules and standard routes over public roads (or the equivalent) at highway speeds to transport personnel, supplies, materials, or equipment and tools or to tow equipment throughout rural or urban areas. The JGS for Motor Vehicle Operating, WG-5703 is referenced in determining the grade level of the incidental duty to operate motor vehicles. As contained in the JGS, drivers at the WG-05 grade level operate one or more motor vehicles including pickup trucks, panel trucks, flatbed trucks, carryalls, sedans, crew cab pickup trucks, jeeps, and station wagons which typically have an approximate gross vehicle weight of up to 4500 kilograms (10,000 pounds) over Federal, state, and county roads and city streets in all traffic conditions. At the WG-05 grade level vehicles are driven on the basis of either specific trip assignments or regularly established schedules and standard routes to transport personnel, supplies, materials, or equipment and tools over public roads (or the equivalent) at highway speeds to transport personnel, supplies, materials, or equipment and tools or to tow equipment throughout rural or urban areas.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/10/2025:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
  3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  4. Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/10/2025.You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

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Agency contact information

NPS MW East Talent Team
Address
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
2480B KS Hwy 177
Strong City, KS 66869
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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