Motor Vehicle Operator

Clarification from the agency

All status merit applicants once Career Transition Assistant Plan (CTAP), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) have cleared.

The incumbent will operate patient transport vehicles i.e., patient transport vans/buses and/or other types transport vehicles, capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers, to and from VA Medical Center facilities, private healthcare facilities and/or other private sector areas e.g., patient homes, railway, bus stations and airports. They will drive predetermined and/or scheduled routes or special runs. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Arrive at and depart from pick- up and/or discharge points at scheduled times.
• Operate the doors to allow passengers to enter and leave the vehicle.
• Read installation maps and judges road/traffic conditions to determine the shortest and safest route.
• Enforce passenger safety and seatbelt use.
• Check I.D. cards to ensure authorization of passengers as required.
• Drive over roads and/or streets through various types of traffic and possible weather conditions.
• Drive and follow rules, laws and traffic regulations pertaining to state laws.
• Load and unload patients safely.
• Make trip to medical facilities, homes, railway, bus stations and/or airport.
• Trip/s may require pick up from private homes, nursing homes, hospitals and/or doctors' offices and in some cases housing and/or employment areas.
• Incumbent loads/unloads patients and/or medical supplies.
• Incumbent may operate e.g., a stretcher van, 1-ton wheelchair van, a passenger van, a large passenger bus, Dual Use Vehicles and/or other vehicles as assigned.
• Pick up and deliver patients mainly throughout the Catchment area, as assigned by the Mobility Manager.
• Maintain records and/or document actions, such as operator inspection checklists/forms and accident/incident reports.
• Use two-way radio (or other device) to maintain communications with dispatcher/supervisor on assignments and locations, in accordance with FCC rules and regulations.
• Utilize safety practices and/or procedures following established safety rules and regulations and/or maintaining a safe and clean work environment.
• Use and assure proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing.
• Participate in Service Safety activities and attends scheduled safety training as directed by supervisor.
• Identify existing or potential safety hazards, promptly notify supervisor and initiate corrective action as required.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, Rotating Schedule
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Position Description/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD99793S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Pre-employment physical required
• Maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with passenger endorsement and must successfully complete Basic Life Support training.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your background must demonstrate experience in the safe transportation of eligible passengers and cargo; operate and provide preventive maintenance for patient transport vehicles; operate multi-passenger, wheelchair equipped vans; how to manipulate the controls for starting-stopping, backing and driving the vehicle in all types of traffic and road conditions; familiarity with National Department of Transportation and interstate policies governing motor vehicle operations and be well versed in every aspect of patient safety during transport and must be able to recognize hazardous conditions and change routes to avoid them.

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. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factor are a pre-requisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

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 eligible applicants are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation)
• Operation of Motor Vehicles
• Reliability and Dependability

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.

Physical Requirements: Work requires reaching, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Incumbent will be required to assist patients with a variety of medical conditions and/or disabilities. Associated duties require stooping, bending, lifting, climbing, and securing patients, oxygen, and wheelchairs with appropriate securing devices. Lifts and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier. Must follow prescribed safety procedures using appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving of heavy objects. Must be able to drive for a minimum of a four-hour period and stay mentally alert. If driver realizes they are not mentally alert, they must use good judgment in pulling over at the first safe area, road- checking vehicle with walk-around inspection, and continue driving as soon as possible. Incumbent must pass a VA Physical and adhere to all VA and DOT drug and alcohol testing and guidelines.

Drivers are required to be able to drive, handle, manipulate and control in a proper and safe manner gasoline, diesel, or electronic-powered wheeled vehicles to transport passengers.

Working Conditions: Vehicles are operated in all types of traffic and weather conditions over Federal, state and county roads to transport personnel, supplies, materials or equipment and tools in all traffic conditions with exposure to danger of serious accidents. Incumbent drives in heavy traffic and at highway speeds over complicated road and interchange system.

Vehicles are driven in restricted traffic environments on Government installations, over public roads and highways, or under cross-country conditions with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds.

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect 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

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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