Motor Vehicle Operator

Veterans Health Administration • Baton Rouge, LA

2d

About The Position

This position transports passengers and cargo in light trucks, minivans, ambulances, automobiles, and other vehicles, including vehicles with gross weights typically above 26,000 pounds. The operator provides safe, non-emergency transportation for eligible veterans and cargo, including patient transport to destinations in various road and weather conditions. Duties include assisting passengers with boarding and exiting, safely loading and securing wheelchair users, and transferring and regulating oxygen for patients who need it.

The position also involves vehicle operation and preventive maintenance, such as checking fluid levels, tire pressure, hoses, filters, lights, and other equipment, as well as cleaning vehicles and making limited emergency repairs. The operator may use a forklift to load and unload vehicles, operate van lifts and other controls, install tire chains, and use map-reading skills to select routes and reach unfamiliar locations. Additional responsibilities include coordinating the unpacking, storage, and distribution of technical equipment and supplies, and reporting daily arrivals of veterans transported by the VTS van.

The role requires courteous interaction with passengers and others, annual certification in Basic First Aid and CPR, and knowledge of precautions for communicable diseases. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and may change based on facility needs. Employees work mostly outdoors and operate vehicles in varied traffic and weather conditions.

Requirements

• Possess a valid state-issued Commercial Driver's License with passenger and air brake endorsements.
• Independently operate a government vehicle and provide a clean driving record report from the DMV during pre-employment.
• Demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Demonstrate the ability to drive safely, interpret instructions and specifications, operate motor vehicles safely, and show reliability, dependability, and sound work practices.
• Be able to operate a forklift to assist with loading and unloading vehicles.
• Be skilled in map reading and able to select alternate routes to reach unfamiliar locations.
• Know how to install tire chains in hazardous, snow-packed, or icy conditions.
• Know how to load and secure wheelchair passengers and assist patients into and out of vehicles.
• Be certified annually in Basic First Aid and CPR and know protective precautions for communicable diseases.
• Meet the physical requirements, including frequent handling of objects weighing up to 40 pounds and assisting, lifting, and loading patients.
• Be a U.S. citizen; meet applicable background, security, drug-testing, pre-employment physical, identification, and onboarding requirements; and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Transport passengers and cargo in light trucks, minivans, ambulances, automobiles, and other motor vehicles.
• Provide safe, non-emergency transportation for eligible veterans and their cargo to the Medical Center or satellite clinics and return them to their pickup locations.
• Drive safely in varied road, traffic, and weather conditions; select alternate routes and use map-reading skills to reach unfamiliar locations.
• Assist disabled passengers with boarding and exiting; load and secure wheelchair passengers, sometimes without assistance.
• Operate patient-transport vehicles and van lifts, and use vehicle controls, gauges, instruments, and warning signals.
• Transfer empty oxygen tanks for full tanks, read gauges, and regulate oxygen flow for patients who require it.
• Perform vehicle checks, preventive maintenance, cleaning, and limited emergency repairs, including monitoring fluids, checking tires and hoses, and replacing filters and lights.
• Install tire chains when hazardous, snow-packed, or icy road conditions occur.
• Use a forklift to assist with loading and unloading vehicles.
• Plan, supervise, check, and coordinate the unpacking, storage, cleanliness, safety, rotation, and distribution of technical equipment and supplies.
• Provide the VTS program office with a daily list of veterans transported to the SLVHCS by VTS van.
• Attend job-related skills training coordinated by the Transportation Supply Section program.
• Maintain annual certification in Basic First Aid and CPR and follow protective precautions for communicable diseases.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed