Clarification from the agency

Open to Current permanent employees of the VA Connecticut Healthcare Systems including permanent Veterans Canteen Service employees, current permanent full-time Hybrid Title 38 and permanent full-time Title 38 employees. This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.

This position is located in the Warehouse area of the Logistics Service in a Veteran Affairs Health Care System (VA HCS) and supported catchment area. The position is located at an assigned Veterans Administration medical facility performing warehouse work. Handles or oversees one or more product lines, a segment of a large warehouse, or may serve as the senior employee in a smaller warehouse or supply facility. The duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for storage and space handling in accordance with regulations for specific commodity or equipment groups (i.e. general supplies, construction materials, medical supplies, high value items, etc.).
• Lays out storage space, establishes item location and determines organization and arrangement of stock.
• Utilizes regulatory requirements when receiving, storing and moving hazardous and toxic materials and substances (i.e. certain types of chemicals, radioactive materials, etc.).
• Maintains warehouse in a neat, clean and orderly manner.
• Operates a vehicle, truck, or van not exceeding 4500 lbs. vehicular weight, with electrical or hydraulic lift.
• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes daily deliveries.
• Handles delivering and warehousing materials including hazardous, flammable and temperature sensitive products.
• Completes monthly reports and supporting benchmarks.
• Reads, writes and maintains files of various government and commercial documents to include turn in requests, discrepancy reports, shipping/receiving documents, etc.
• Interprets a variety of standards operation procedures (SOPs), directives, and policies.
• Follows all guidance provided by various directives, handbooks, memorandum, property management regulations, supply and distribution policies, checklists, etc.
• Manages discrepancy process and follow ups utilizing an electronic record and tracking program in accordance with regulations and policies.
• Understands how to load supply carts, vehicles or pallets to ensure safety and most efficient process.
• Understands physical distribution functions to include material receiving, safeguarding (preserving from damage or exposure), storage and issuing.
• Prepares authorized materials for shipment (both small packages and bulk).
• Familiar with automated purchasing and inventory systems.
• Handles hazardous and sensitive materials according to established procedures.
• Adheres to all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) operating and safety standards.
• Utilizes proper safety techniques when handling a variety of material and equipment.
• Uses all types of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Takes all precautionary measures in an attempt to prevent serious accidents.
• Must possess a valid, state driver's license.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Position Description Title/PD#: Materials Handler/PD00600A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station: Not authorized.

Notifications:

• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment.
• 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.
• This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Pre-employment physical required.
• Selectee must have a valid unrestricted driving license.
• Selectee must have a safe driving record.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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 probationary period or 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, 04/24/2026.

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.

Experience includes: performing warehouse work involving receiving, storing, selecting and shipping of general or specialized bulk materials and equipment; assisting in developing plans for storage and arrangement of stock; coordinating incoming and outgoing shipments and placement of materials; uses own initiative to consolidate materials, provide maximum space utilization and protection of materials.

• 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.

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:

• A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. You may be required to provide your license at the time of interview.

• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Technical Practices
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

Physical Requirements: Work involves considerable walking, pushing and pulling a variety of carts and materials handling equipment; offloading and loading trucks, lifting products on and off shelves, handling boxes frequently weighing over 40 pounds; handles equipment, furniture and materials of an awkward and heavier nature in excess of 100 pounds (typically using specialized equipment and/or assistance of co-workers). Greater physical effort may be required on projects involving the movement of large quantities of products over an extended period including turn-ins, large shipments and deliveries. While operating vehicles, may be required to exert a greater level of physical exertion while backing and turning trucks, operating forklifts, or hand trucks on uneven terrains and uncertain conditions.

Working Conditions: Required to work in storage buildings, pods, trailers, vehicles and warehouses that may be hot, cold, drafty and poor lighting; work outdoors, on docks, making deliveries in all types of weather conditions during all seasons; hazardous materials may be encountered in daily work activities; will be subject to the possibility of trips, falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, or injury from the use of equipment; may be subject to conditions that could result in serious accidents; personal protective equipment may be required.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed:
1. Job title
2. Duties (be as detailed as possible)
3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
4. 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.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

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.

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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