Laborer

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Grounds & Equipment Section of the Facilities Management Service at the VA Central Western Massachusetts (VACWM) in Leeds MA.

The primary purpose of this position is to maintain the roads and grounds of the Medical Center consisting of approx. 25 buildings and 110 acres.

This position is under the direct supervision of the Grounds & Equipment Supervisor. The operations and equipment are similar to what is found at a municipal Department of Public Works (DPW).

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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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.

Major Duties:

Duties are but limited to the following: Accomplish the seasonal tasks of gardening, lawn mowing, snow removal and related daily tasks of a general laborer similar to a municipal DPW.

Prepares ground, lays seed or sod, planting flowers or shrubs, using simple drawings to establish a planting pattern and/or design in accordance with project requirements.

Knowledge and ability to use a variety of power tools, small tractors, snow blowers and mowers in order to accomplish all related duties.

Ability to exert very heavy physical effort to frequently lift, move and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted and occasionally items weighing 100 pounds or more, with assistance or mechanized equipment.

At entry, the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, in any state, to operate Government vehicles.

Understand the importance of the new Safety Data Sheet (SDS) under the new Global Harmonization System (GHS) and how it pertains to worker safety and chemical storage & use for such chemicals as: gasoline, diesel fuel, oils, grease, lubricants, de-greasers, etc Responsible for all equipment assigned, including but not limited to: equipment pre-checks for proper engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil levels, tire pressures, cleans radiators and air filters of debris, lubricates zerk fittings at pivot points and rotating assemblies, sharpens blades and adjusts deck heights and castor wheel clearance both manually and hydraulically, before and during equipment operation and on steep terrain.

Support for pot hole & concrete sidewalk repairs as well as paint striping of cross walks, parking lots and fire lanes.

Seasonal leaf removal using hand rakes, push & backpack blowers and a gas powered leaf vacuum system Knowledge of proper Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) practices to ensure personal safety during equipment adjustment, maintenance, cleaning or repair.

Use all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure work is completed safely and in compliance with all OSHA and VA laws, regulations and requirements.

All VA employees are required to be literate in both the English language and computer usage in order to: communicate effectively with staff and patients, complete mandatory training, email communications, to view and manage their own pay/allotments/personnel file, as well as submit their own leave requests electronically.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 06:00 am - 2:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer/PD00410A Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting, walking, standing, stooping, bending, carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting and shoveling.

Must be physically able to frequently lift, move and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted and occasionally items weighing 100 pounds or more, with assistance or mechanized equipment.

Incumbent must have the physical ability to exert very heavy physical effort in order to operate large riding mowers on grades, shovel, rake, lift, grade, tamp, screed and bull float: asphalt, concrete, stone, earth spoils, snow & ice, loam and mulch.

S/he must be able to load and unload materials & supplies, cut & trim grass, trim bushes & trees, clean ditches and rain gutters up to 3-stories high.

Working Conditions: All employees are required to use all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure work is completed safely and in compliance with all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and VA laws, regulations and requirements.

PPE includes but is not limited to: Tyvek coveralls, hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, safety rated footwear, dust masks or respirators, fall restraints, etc.

The incumbent is required to work outside in all types of weather and is exposed to extreme conditions including, but not limited to: hot, cold, snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain, dusty conditions, steep muddy, loose terrain, loud noise and vibrations while performing all required work and equipment operations.

Works at times is under disagreeable conditions while cutting weeds, grass and/or trees in hot weather and is subject to slips and falls during snow & ice conditions.

S/he may be exposed to bees, wasps, hornets and other types of insects and animals while working on or near un-improved grounds.

Must operate equipment in all types of weather and is frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises and strains.

Occasionally exposed to the possibility of serious accidents, roll-overs, broken bones, electrical shock and burns.