Tractor Operator (Gardner)
Air Education and Training Command
Posted: February 13, 2026 (3 days ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
North Chicago, Illinois
Salary
$26.90 - $31.36
per hour
Type
Full-Time
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This job involves operating tractors and heavy equipment like bulldozers, backhoes, and snowplows to maintain facilities at a veterans' health center in North Chicago, Illinois, including snow removal and routine maintenance tasks.
It requires working outdoors in tough weather and handling physical labor such as lifting up to 50 pounds.
A good fit would be someone reliable with hands-on experience in equipment operation, a strong work ethic, and no fear of physical demands or variable conditions.
This position is located within the Facility Management Department of the Facility Support Directorate located at the Captain James A.
Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago Illinois. DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid state commercial driver's license.
Do not upload a copy of your license at this time. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current, valid, and unrestricted commercial driver's license.
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Performs moderately heavy lifting, pulling, and carrying of equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds Independently.
Occasionally, may be required to lift or pull heavy equipment weighing more than 50 pounds with the help of weight handling equipment or with assistance from other workers.
Work requires crouching, standing, kneeling, climbing, bending and stooping to accomplish assigned duties.
Works in variable heights from 8 feet and above through the use of ladders, scaffolding or aerial equipment.
Must have good hearing (corrected with an aid), good eyesight (corrected with glasses) and acceptable color vision.
Performs majority of work assignments outdoors in varying temperatures, oftentimes under conditions of dampness, excessive heat and/or cold, or during other disagreeable climatic and environmental conditions.
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications.
For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for.
Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success.
Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1).
Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration.
The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements.
While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.
You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: 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 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.
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. Major Duties:
Duties include but may not be limited to: Operates diesel and gasoline powered tractors; Operates a variety of heavy equipment with attachments or towing equipment, bulldozers, backhoes, snowplows, dump trucks, street sweeper, etc; Operates select pieces of snow removal equipment to remove snow from sidewalks, walkways and roadways during periods of inclement weather; Performs routine maintenance to vehicles and heavy equipment including maintaining oil levels, water, tire pressure, adjusting blades, tightening screws, bolts and lubrication; Operates lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams and swivel-hooks, hoists, and elevating platforms, to load, unload, and stack material; Operates lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams and swivel-hooks, hoists, and elevating platforms, to load, unload, and stack material; Utilizes knowledge of soil and terrain to determine the proper approach according to the condition of surface and subsurface; Follows established methods or special instructions such as mowing grass at standard heights or preparing seed beds according to specific instructions; Operates pneumatic hammers, augers, high ranger and other related equipment; Performs excavation, backfilling and trenching in support of project related work; Assists with planting of trees, shrubs and bushes, as directed; Maintains ornamentals by trimming, pruning and irrigating; Applies various fertilizers during season planting time; Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-2:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
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