Tractor Operator

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent VHA employees and CTAP eligibles only.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

• Operates a full range of vehicles and mobile equipment to support campus transportation and logistics.
• Drives passenger cars, sedans, station wagons, pickup trucks, 15 passenger vans, one ton dump trucks, and cargo trucks up to 24,000 pounds GVWR equipped with hydraulic or electronic lift gates.
• Transports self-sufficient patients, coworkers, medical records, supplies, and materials between VA locations.
• Selects safe travel routes using current road, weather, and traffic conditions; complies with State and Federal driving laws and VA policies; and loads/unloads cargo following safe handling and tie down procedures.
• Maneuvers vehicles in congested areas and during docking/positioning to protect pedestrians, vehicles, buildings, and grounds.
• Performs grounds tasks including seeding, sodding, fertilizing, planting, watering, pruning, mulching, and general landscape repair aligned to seasonal schedules and project work orders.
• Operates farm type tractors and implements mowers, aerators, plows, harrows, chippers, sprayers, disks, post hole diggers, front end loaders, dozer blades, and backhoes to complete assigned grounds projects.
• Operates tractors and attachments on steep slopes, ravines, ditches, soft ground, and other rough/uneven terrain where overturn hazards exist.
• Troubleshoots operating problems with tractors, implements, and mobile equipment; identifies hazards; performs minor adjustments (e.g., belts, chains, hydraulic couplers, tire pressure); lubricates, cleans, an conducts routine preventive maintenance; and refers non routine repairs to qualified maintenance staff.
• Maintains logs for equipment usage, vehicle mileage, hours of operation, fuel consumption, and minor maintenance performed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD30490A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.

SCREEN-OUT DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current and valid Class D Chauffeur license with Passenger Endorsement. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current and valid state-issued Class D Chauffeur license with Passenger Endorsement.

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:

• 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

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. Experience should include: operating and maintaining tractors with end loaders, power mowing equipment, and related equipment used in snow removal; operating vehicles over rough terrain (e.g. steep hills, ravines, holes, and ditches) to include steering to compensate for degree of the slop and the stability of the ground; and driving various vehicles, such as passenger cars, sedans, station wagons, pickup trucks, 15 passenger vans, one ton dump trucks, and cargo trucks up to 24,000 pounds GVWR equipped with hydraulic or electronic lift gates. 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 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 EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Operates and rides on equipment for extended periods; frequently bends, stoops, climbs, kneels, reaches, and works in cramped or awkward positions. Operates tractor and attachment controls requiring repetitive arm and leg movement; handles materials and tools; and lifts/carries items up to 100 pounds, using team lifts or mechanical assistance for heavier loads. Works outdoors and in vehicle cabs under all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, humidity, snow, and ice. Exposed to noise, vibration, fumes, dust, grease, and uneven or hazardous terrain. Risks include overturned equipment, falls, cuts, abrasions, burns, electrical hazards, and contact with moving parts. Work may occur in confined areas, on steep slopes, or at elevated locations (e.g., rooftops). May be called outside normal duty hours for snow removal or emergency transportation.

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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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.

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