Tractor Operator

The Tractor Operator position is located in the Engineering Department within the Facilities Management Service Line at the Des Moines VA Medical Center. The position operates tractors and related mobile equipment to transport passengers and cargo between facilities; performs grounds installation, maintenance, and repair; and conducts routine equipment adjustments and preventive maintenance to ensure safe, efficient, and dependable facility operations.

*This announcement has been updated to extend the closing date.* Major duties and responsibilities include: Operates a full range of vehicles and mobile equipment to support campus transportation and logistics. Drives passenger cars, sedans, station wagons, pickup trucks, 15 passenger vans, one ton dump trucks, and cargo trucks up to 24,000 pounds GVWR equipped with hydraulic or electronic lift gates. Transports self-sufficient patients, coworkers, medical records, supplies, and materials between VA locations. Selects safe travel routes using current road, weather, and traffic conditions; complies with State and Federal driving laws and VA policies; and loads/unloads cargo following safe handling and tie down procedures. Maneuvers vehicles in congested areas and during docking/positioning to protect pedestrians, vehicles, buildings, and grounds. Performs grounds tasks including seeding, sodding, fertilizing, planting, watering, pruning, mulching, and general landscape repair aligned to seasonal schedules and project work orders. Operates farm type tractors and implements mowers, aerators, plows, harrows, chippers, sprayers, disks, post hole diggers, front end loaders, dozer blades, and backhoes to complete assigned grounds projects. Operates tractors and attachments on steep slopes, ravines, ditches, soft ground, and other rough/uneven terrain where overturn hazards exist. Troubleshoots operating problems with tractors, implements, and mobile equipment; identifies hazards; performs minor adjustments (e.g., belts, chains, hydraulic couplers, tire pressure); lubricates, cleans, an conducts routine preventive maintenance; and refers non routine repairs to qualified maintenance staff. Maintains logs for equipment usage, vehicle mileage, hours of operation, fuel consumption, and minor maintenance performed. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation 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 identification 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 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.