Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Tractor Operator in Biloxi, Mississippi
Summary This position is assigned to Engineering Service, Grounds Maintenance Shop. The incumbent reports directly to the Engineering Equipment Operations Supervisor and is responsible for performing work involved in operating wheel mounted tractors and towed or attached equipment. The work includes transporting materials and equipment, digging, loading, planting, spraying, fertilizing, edging, clearing, or mowing. Responsibilities Major Duties : Operate skid steers, forklifts, and manlifts safely around buildings and public areas. Stump grinders, augers, aerators, pressure washers, and small gas/battery hand tools. Maintain and secure shop tools/equipment; keep shop/work areas clean and orderly. Apply fertilizers/insecticides/herbicides per instructions; ensure safe handling/storage/disposal. Weed flower beds; trim/edge around walks/beds/walls using hand/power clippers, edgers. Clean culverts/gutters/drainage ditches; remove hazardous/damaged trees using chain saws and chippers Perform landscaping planting transplanting cultivating irrigating fertilizing spraying and pruning. Operate wheel-mounted tractors to maintain grounds, roads, ditches, walkways. Attach equipment (mowers, sweepers, trailers, brush hogs, planters, spreaders, sprayers). Operate front-end loaders/backhoes to clear, dig, grade ditches; prepare landscapes for sod; haul fill dirt. Follow written/oral instructions; complete documentation and orders accurately. Conduct periodic inspections, adjustments, and preventive maintenance on tractors/attachments. Operate trucks (1⁄2-21⁄2 tons); correctly load and secure loads for transport. Adjust equipment settings (mower blade height, disk blade depth, sprayer application rates). Use PTO to power auxiliary equipment; manipulate controls to understand/operate accessories. Work in steep/rough/treacherous terrain; maneuver equipment in tight spaces safely. Use and maintain PPE (eye/ear protection, dust masks, gloves, safety shoes, rain gear, hi-vis clothing Assist other Engineering Shops with cleanup/relocation (e.g., hurricane prep or construction moves) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm ( Subject to change based on agency needs) Position Description Title/PD#: Tractor Operator/PD03554-A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Driver's License: A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/19/2026. 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Operation of Equipment/Machinery Safety Engineering Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Work as Member of Team 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/Working Conditions: Work is usually performed outside and may include operating in mud, rough terrain and steep slopes or other treacherous conditions which could result in injury from falls or overturned equipment. Operator is exposed to long periods of noisy conditions, hot sun, dust, and adverse weather conditions. Cuts and bruises may result from flying objects and branches hitting the operator. Incumbent is exposed to dust, fertilizers, etc., and may be subject to insect bites, stings, and exposure to poisonous plants such as poison ivy and poison oak. Operator is exposed to hazardous moving parts when operating electrical or gas-powered equipment. Incumbent is subject to exposure from chemicals which can cause skin irritations and burns. Serious injury may result from moving parts and getting caught in equipment while operating. Injury may occur from collisions with automobiles when operating on or near various roadways and parking areas. Incumbent will be aware of all job specific health and safety hazards and shall maintain and wear the appropriate/required personal protective equipment (PPE), (safety shoes, glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, rain gear, high visibility clothing, etc.). 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. 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 Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.