AddressSummary This position is located within the Transportation Service at the VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. The Motor Vehicle Operator transports patients, employees, supplies, lab specimens, drugs, and other items to predetermined locations. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Operates gasoline, electric powered or diesel vehicles up to 26,000 pounds, Gross Vehicular Weight Rating (GVWR); Drives a variety of government vehicles for the purpose of transporting patients and employees, some of which are equipped with airbrakes; Maintains records and document actions, such as operator inspection checklists/forms/and accident/incident reports; Operates a wheelchair lift ramp, including the proper use of vehicle device restraint/lock down mechanisms to safely transport wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and scooters; Performs operator maintenance such as checking fluid levels and air pressure in tires, cleaning and washing of vehicles, and performing inspection checklists to ensure safe and proper operation; Transports patient records and maintain confidentiality until transferred to appropriate medical staff upon arrival at destination; Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations; Practices and promotes safe work and driving habits and follow standard safety procedures; Identifies existing or potential safety hazards and promptly notifying supervisor and initiating corrective action is required; Uses Two-Way radio (or other device) to maintain communications with dispatcher/supervisor on assignments and locations, in accordance with rules and regulations; Reads map in order to reach unfamiliar locations; Uses skill in Motor vehicle mechanics; Interprets operator's manual for assigned vehicles; Operates patient transport vehicles (including emergency vehicles, patient transport vans/buses and other types of transport vehicles, capable of carrying up to 8 or more passengers; Transports patients in a manner that minimizes disruption to personnel and ensure maximum comfort and safety during travel; Uses skill in defensive driving techniques; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Effort is required to assist Veterans and/or caregivers from entering and exiting government vehicles. The person in this position will be required to lift, push or pull moderate to heavy items (up to 45lbs) on a daily basis, such as wheelchair patients, machinery, mail bins, Dental Bins and other Medical Center supply goods. The position requires sitting for prolonged periods of time, regular stooping and bending and the arms and feet to operate the vehicle. Operates vehicles in all types of weather and traffic conditions on public roads and highways. Outside work may involve extreme cold or hot working conditions as well as rain, snow and Ice. Protective clothing is provided as protection from the outside elements. There is the possibility of both minor personal accidents, such as cuts or bruises while loading and unloading the vehicle as well as injuries as a result of a more serious vehicle accident. The person in this position is exposed to periods of driving in heavy traffic. 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. COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE (SCREEN OUT): A current and valid state-issued Class C Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement, allowing for Airbrake operation is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your CDL 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 A or Class B Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement. 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) Reliability And Dependability 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. Education Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (315) 425-4400. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.
