Laborer - Veterans Health Administration

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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) 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. The incumbent performs duties which involve grounds and maintenance work, including moving materials, assisting other type journeymen due to urgency of work to be accomplished, gardener's helper, policing grounds, moving furniture, truck driver's helper, loading and unloading trucks and other various duties. Incumbent follows general instructions to perform work that requires moderately heavy physical effort and may involve a number of successive steps or processes and perform tasks that require prior work experience or training, and some degree of manual skill and involves very heavy physical effort. Incumbent is required to use common hand tools and simple power equipment such as hatchets, hand saws, clippers, buffers, grinders, screwdrivers, weed trimmers, low- pressure sprayers, powered push lawn mowers, and powered pavement vacuums. Use shovels to dig ditches where grading and sloping is required; fill holes with dirt and level bumps using shovels, hand tampers, and rakes; and dig holes for plants and posts. They use simple powered push lawn mowers, edgers and trimmers, water grounds, lay sod, and clear small trees and bushes using hand tools. Perform grounds maintenance on grades or slopes; dig ditches and trenches with picks and shovels where dirt is hard and compact. Operate large, walking-type power mowers and simple riding-type mowers with limited adjustments. Manually adjust blades for cutting height, prepare gasoline/oil mixtures for powered equipment, and clean and lubricate mowers. Perform limited roads maintenance work. They use concrete, gravel, and/or asphalt to fill and level holes in damaged roads. May be required to break up pavement using jackhammers and clear sidewalks using large, industrial-type, powered snow blowers. Cut trees, using axes or chain saws. May be required to wash buildings using a high-pressure sprayer; separate, stack, carry, and load/unload materials, supplies, and packages. Also does snow work with shovels. He/she gains job specific expertise through various sources (e.g. on-the-job training, trade publications, vendor publications and manuals, etc.) to become proficient in the identified primary field. Attend Engineering Monthly Staff Meetings to obtain and information and participate in discussions on appropriate resolutions to problems. The incumbent is required to wear safety equipment and clothing when appropriate and required. The incumbent may be required to work at any division of the VA Boston Healthcare System. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD523-00655-A Physical Requirements: Work requires very heavy physical effort in operating large, riding mowers on grades and in areas with bushes, trees, and other vi