Tractor Operator

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, employees of other Federal agencies, and Veterans. *See "How You Will Be Evaluated" for additional information.

The duties of the Tractor Operator includes but are not limited to:

Tractor & Equipment Operation

• Uses various power mowers to cut grass including tractors with mower attachments; adjusts blades and
  cleans and oils mowers.
• Operates 172 HP heavy, 28,000+ LB Loader with several attachments controlled by hydraulics and complex electronic controls
• Cut down trees and uses a manlift for tree trimming and banner placement on light poles.
• Uses various hand tools including an axe; shovels snow by hand; rakes leaves, waters and weeds grass, picks up trash, cleans around dumpsters, and performs general cleaning duties of entrance areas to the hospital.
• Incumbent is required to work snow removal during and after work hours, weekends, and holidays as weather conditions require.

General Maintenance

• Incumbent maintains and repairs all outside grounds equipment including large front-end loader, tractors, mowers, trimmers, spreaders, sprayers, portable generator, concreate saw, mason saw, chain saws, as required.
• Incumbent sharpens rotary lawn mower blades, chainsaw chains, and is responsible for the proper use of lawn mowers.
• Incumbent builds concrete forms for small, poured retaining walls, and manhole forms.
• Incumbent operates core saw for pole placement and other applications in impermeable surfaces.
• Incumbent performs any other duties relating to ground maintenance as assigned by supervisor or Work Leader.
• Incumbent cleans and maintains ambulance bay.
• The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of duties involving the maintenance and up-keep of the grounds surrounding the Medical Center. Typical assignments include mowing lawns and wooded areas, pruning and trimming of trees and bushes, planting and
  developing and creating landscape areas and flower beds as well as removal of debris, grass, limbs, and other trash, and snow removal.
• The incumbent receives assignments from the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor or Work leader, orally or in writing, outlining the work to
  be done and the specific methods and equipment to be used in accomplishing the tasks assigned. Incumbent works either individually or with a group.
• The incumbent must have working knowledge of the tools used for safe operation in the moving, cultivating and grounds work, and general knowledge concerning snow removal and de-icing, installing and maintaining paver and brick patios, and repairing and installing retaining walls using landscape brick and concrete.
• The incumbent shall perform ground maintenance activities using all types of hand tools like shovels and rakes including push mowers and power equipment. The incumbent is responsible for operator-level maintenance of all equipment to be used (pre-operation and post-operation checks).
• The incumbent must be able to read and understand equipment manuals and other written instructions.
• Incumbents shall conduct daily police calls of the grounds including trash from all receptacles at least twice a day (7:30 am and 2 pm).
• Incumbents have knowledge of decorative and ornamental plant needs, proper trimming, and nutrients required to make them prosper.
• Incumbents shall respond to callbacks within reasonable timeframes for snow removal, this includes nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Incumbent may be placed in an "on call" status during the winter months for snow removal, a phone will be provided.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 06:00am-04:30pm. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD93292A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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
• 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 identification 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 will 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, 09/23/2026.

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.

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:

1. Ability to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Related experience includes: Operating heavy equipment (i.e. tractors, mowers, chainsaws, portable generators, etc.), maintaining and repairing all outside grounds equipment including large front-end loaders, tractors, mowers, trimmers, spreaders, sprayers, portable generator, concrete saw, mason saw, chain saws, as required; completing a pre and post operator check of vehicles and equipment for proper fluid levels (water, windshield washer, oil, brake, and transmission) whenever required for use; performing a variety of duties involving maintenance and up-keep of the ground to include mowing lawns and wooded areas, pruning and trimming of trees and bushes, planting and developing and creating landscape areas and flower beds as well as removal of debris, grass, limbs, and other trash, and snow removal; have working knowledge of the tools used for safe operation in the moving, cultivating and grounds work, and general knowledge concerning snow removal and de-icing, installing and maintaining paver and brick patios, and repairing and installing retaining walls using landscape brick and concrete.

(NOTE: You must list your experience on your resume).

Applicants must receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element to be deemed eligible for consideration.

JOB ELEMENTS. The below job elements (skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal characteristics considered necessary for success on the job) are approved by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for individual occupations as well as for jobs having common requirements.

• Drive Safely
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
• Motor Vehicles
• Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
• Reliability And Dependability
• Without more than normal supervision
• Work Practices

Preferred Experience: Experience with Grounds Keeping and equipment operating.

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: Frequent arm and leg movement is required. The incumbent exerts very heavy physical effort in operating equipment controls and performing tasks that require frequent lifting, bending and moving objects weighing over 50 pounds. The incumbent may occasionally work from ladders, lifts and high places. The incumbent may be asked to extended hours due to weather conditions.

Working Conditions: The incumbent works primarily outside in all kinds of weather conditions and is exposed to temperature extremes, vibrations, and jolts from equipment. Operators are exposed to dust, dirt, grease, fumes and chemical sprays and be subjected to insect bites and probably bee stings. The incumbent is subject to cuts and bruises from flying objects, tree branches and the usual hazards associated with power equipment.

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.

Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration:

• First Area of Consideration (CTAP/ICTAP Employees) - Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Second Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent Aleda E. Lutz Medical Center employees (this includes Outpatient Clinics, permanent employees of the Veteran Canteen Service assigned to this facility, Office of Information & Technology employees assigned to this facility, CPAC bargaining unit employees located at the Saginaw VAMC, and Virtual bargaining unit employees assigned to the facility).
• Third Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located at other VA medical centers).
• Fourth Area of Consideration (Status Candidates) - Current, permanent Federal employees, former Federal employees with reinstatement rights, 30% or More Disabled, Schedule A, VRA and VEOA eligible, Former Overseas employees, Certain Military Spouses, Foreign Service employees, Land Management, and National Service.

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 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)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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 dated 01/11/2026 or after for GS Employees or 03/22/2026 or after for WG Employees.
• 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.

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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