Motor Vehicle Operator

Veterans Health Administration • Leeds, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Environmental Management Service at the VA Medical Center in Northampton (Leeds), Massachusetts. The employee operates vehicles on and off station to transport contaminated waste, furniture, everyday trash, sewage, cargo, and regulated medical waste (RMW). Vehicles include gasoline-, diesel-, or electric-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 10,000 pounds, such as pickup, panel, flatbed, carryall, sedan, crew cab, van, and wheelchair van models.

The position also includes routine vehicle maintenance, driving established routes and assigned trips, preparing manifests for contaminated needles and RMW, and performing custodial and minor equipment maintenance duties. Work includes cleaning floors, windows, walls, furniture, and fixtures; moving furniture and equipment; setting up offices; and hanging items on walls. The employee works throughout a medical facility, including patient care areas, and must remain alert to the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, staff, and coworkers.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Physical demands include walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, crawling, carrying and setting up ladders or staging, and lifting or moving heavy equipment and furniture that may exceed 50 pounds. Work may involve tight, awkward, wet, dry, or dusty areas, exposure to cleaning chemicals, and vehicle operation in varied weather and traffic conditions.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must meet the prescribed screen-out element and demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities; experience descriptions on the resume must support questionnaire responses.
• Must be able to perform considerable walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, bending, and crawling, including working in cramped or awkward positions.
• Must be able to carry and set up ladders and indoor scaffolding or staging and lift or move heavy equipment or furniture that may weigh more than 50 pounds.
• Must be able to perform considerable effort that may be required to change vehicle tires.
• Must remain alert to the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, staff, and fellow employees while working throughout a medical facility.
• Must be able to work with possible exposure to cleaning chemicals and skin irritations from strong chemical solutions; PPE or respirators may be necessary.
• Must be able to operate vehicles in all types of weather and traffic conditions.
• A pre-employment physical is required.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding.
• Must provide acceptable identification for employment verification; beginning May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state identification cards are not acceptable.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• For experience credit, applicants must provide month and year start and end dates on resumes; part-time experience is credited based on time spent in relevant activities, and weekly hours and duties should be stated.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.

Responsibilities

• Operate vehicles on and off station to transport contaminated waste, furniture, everyday trash, sewage, cargo, and regulated medical waste.
• Operate gasoline-, diesel-, or electric-powered wheeled vehicles, including vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 10,000 pounds.
• Perform routine operator maintenance on driven vehicles.
• Drive regularly established schedules and routes and complete specific trip assignments.
• Prepare manifests for the pickup or transport of contaminated needles and regulated medical waste.
• Use common cleaning tools and lightweight cleaning equipment.
• Use, move, and control heavy equipment; carry and set up ladders and indoor scaffolding or staging.
• Perform custodial duties, including sweeping, scrubbing, and waxing floors; washing windows and walls; dusting and polishing furniture and fixtures; and emptying waste cans.
• Perform minor maintenance on vacuum cleaners, power scrubbers, buffers, and polishers.
• Lift and move objects and furniture to set up offices and hang pictures, whiteboards, and other items on walls.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive annual leave accrual based on years of federal service; selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service experience, subject to approval.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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