Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

• Dig ditches and trenches with a pick or shovel, completing grading and sloping, breaking up concrete with a jackhammer, mixes concrete, applies hot and cold patch asphalt when filling holes in roadways.
• Performs daily policing of the grounds, empties trash cans outside of the buildings (including parking lots/garage) and clean under and around refuse dumpsters.
• Complete planting, cultivating, feeding, weeding, trimming and watering flowers and trees as necessary. Removes diseased or damage tree, including root removal. Also, responsible for spreading mulch and/or stone, trimming of grass along curbs and installing lawn edging, as assigned.
• During the fall season, remove fallen leaves, twigs and branches by bagging or disposing to designated areas. In addition, utilizes the two (1) ton pick up trucks, stake body truck, utility vehicles and vacuum to pick up and dispose of leaves/trash.
• During the winter season, they are responsible for snow removal. Includes operation of two (1) ton pick-ups with plows and salt spreaders, 1 stake body truck and several utility vehicles for the snow removal and spreading salt when necessary.
• Utilize walk behind snow blowers/brushes and manually shovel sidewalks and entry ways and then spreads salt when necessary.
• May drive buses and other vehicles with air brakes. Buses are operated occasionally contingent upon activities scheduled by other services and not on a regular and recurring basis.
• More regular use of the buses may occur during the months of less inclement seasons (Spring, Summer and Fall). Drivers must also operate wheelchair lifts as well as provide instructional training to staff on operation, function, security and safety of the lifts.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• 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 or 2-year trial 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
Physical Requirements: Exerts very heavy physical effort when moving items (lifts up to 100 pounds), handling 60-pound bags of salt and operating the jackhammer. Operates power mowers on steep slopes and grades and pushes wheel barrel loads of cement, stone, and mulch. Required to perform frequent walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. May require heavy physical effort when shoveling snow in the winter.

Work Environment: Works mostly outside and operates equipment and vehicles in all kinds of weather (sunshine, rain, sleet, snow, etc.) for long periods of time. In danger of objects and debris hitting him/herself when operating power mowers and trimmers and possibility of cuts and bruises. Special care and safety equipment must be used to avoid serious injuries. During winter season, exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees F when performing snow removal duties. Wear prescribed uniform in accordance with Altoona VAMC dress code policy and uses appropriate personal protective safety equipment as required.

****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes, to support eligibility.****

Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• 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.

Next steps