
Engineering Equipment Operator
- Operates a variety of equipment to move materials, draw implements, tow trailers, and pull objects embedded in ground.
- Pull cable of winch to raise, lower, or load heavy material or equipment
- Fasten attachments such as graders, snow plows, rollers, mowers, backhoes, spreaders, seeders or vacuums to tractor.
- Monitors and reviews equipment, structures, materials, events, and environment to detect and assess problems. Identifies the cause and evaluates options for the best solution.
- Adheres to procedures, regulations and guidelines while minimizing errors and safety risks.
- Required to lubricate and make minor repairs to tractors, implements and attachments
- Inspects equipment per manufacturers requirements to ensure proper operation and safe condition.
- Reports any damaged or unsafe equipment to supervisor immediately upon recognition.
- Where required, also performs grounds maintenance, laborer duties
- Performs other duties and special projects as assigned
Requirements
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
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- 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 (). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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)
Qualifications
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 .
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 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: Heavy physical effort is required by the operator in constant bending, reaching, lifting, and turning as well as constant movement of the extremities to operate assigned equipment and controls. This effort may occur in adverse or sub-optimal conditions outdoors in many different types of weather. Operators are also subject to vibration, jerking, jolting and strain when operation requires being on rough terrain or steep inclines. Because of the nature of this type of work and equipment, operators are often working in awkward or strained positions. Employees must have the ability to perform the following physical demands for extended periods of time with or without assistance: - Maneuvering over uneven ground - Maneuvering in, around, and on equipment - Climbing and working from high platforms requiring fall protection - Reaching, pushing, and pulling gears to operate levers, and steering wheel - Bending, stooping, and reaching - Lifting or moving tools, equipment and/or materials up to 80 pounds
Working Conditions: As mentioned, work may be required to be performed in all types of weather in all seasons of the year. This may include work from an open seat or operator platform and in cases of the aerial platforms from heights up to 100 feet. Operators must remain very focused on the operation and performance of equipment in adverse conditions to maintain safety and efficiency. Adverse conditions may also reduce reaction times for attachments and equipment being used. This should be at the forefront of the operators mind when operating on uneven or sloped ground, especially when tipping or overturning a piece of equipment is a possibility. Operators will also be subject to noisy, dusty, muddy, wet, cold and hot environments, sometimes including smoke or exhaust fumes. Incumbent will also be engaged in strenuous physical labor that could involve lifting heavy objects, continuous shoveling or digging, walking and pushing/pulling as required. Use of smaller hand-held power equipment is also required. Operators will also be engaged in snow removal, which may mean being called in during storms or working extended hours. Utility emergencies such as water main breaks may also require long hours or being called in while off-duty.
Education
No Education Substituted at this grade level.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- 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 (). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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)
Qualifications
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 .
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 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: Heavy physical effort is required by the operator in constant bending, reaching, lifting, and turning as well as constant movement of the extremities to operate assigned equipment and controls. This effort may occur in adverse or sub-optimal conditions outdoors in many different types of weather. Operators are also subject to vibration, jerking, jolting and strain when operation requires being on rough terrain or steep inclines. Because of the nature of this type of work and equipment, operators are often working in awkward or strained positions. Employees must have the ability to perform the following physical demands for extended periods of time with or without assistance: - Maneuvering over uneven ground - Maneuvering in, around, and on equipment - Climbing and working from high platforms requiring fall protection - Reaching, pushing, and pulling gears to operate levers, and steering wheel - Bending, stooping, and reaching - Lifting or moving tools, equipment and/or materials up to 80 pounds
Working Conditions: As mentioned, work may be required to be performed in all types of weather in all seasons of the year. This may include work from an open seat or operator platform and in cases of the aerial platforms from heights up to 100 feet. Operators must remain very focused on the operation and performance of equipment in adverse conditions to maintain safety and efficiency. Adverse conditions may also reduce reaction times for attachments and equipment being used. This should be at the forefront of the operators mind when operating on uneven or sloped ground, especially when tipping or overturning a piece of equipment is a possibility. Operators will also be subject to noisy, dusty, muddy, wet, cold and hot environments, sometimes including smoke or exhaust fumes. Incumbent will also be engaged in strenuous physical labor that could involve lifting heavy objects, continuous shoveling or digging, walking and pushing/pulling as required. Use of smaller hand-held power equipment is also required. Operators will also be engaged in snow removal, which may mean being called in during storms or working extended hours. Utility emergencies such as water main breaks may also require long hours or being called in while off-duty.
Education
No Education Substituted at this grade level.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .