Motor Vehicle Operator @ Veterans Health Administration

Job Summary

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, in Engineering Service, Fleet Management Section. The Motor Vehicle Operator will provide transportation to veterans and their spouses who live in rural areas within the VA San Diego Healthcare System and surrounding satilite clinics

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/23/2026.

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: Drive Safely Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations) Motor Vehicles Reliability And Dependability Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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

Incumbent is expected to lift to 50 pounds. Incumbent assists patients in and out of patient transport vehicles. Drivers at this level exert moderate physical effort in operating, turning, backing, and controlling vehicles which carry heavy loads or many people. Working Conditions: Incumbent operates motor vehicles in all types of traffic and weather conditions. In addition, incumbent drives over a variety of roads including steep winding roads, complicated interchange systems and interstate highways.

Major Duties

• This position will operate in Fleet Management Program within the VA San Diego Healthcare System.
• This position will provide transportation within the VA San Diego Healthcare System and surrounding Community Based Clinics.
• MVO tours may vary from 4:30 am to 2:00 am five days a week, but may be assigned irregular tours of duty, including weekends and holidays.
• The position provides non-emergent, safe transportation of staff and cargo.
• The incumbent will operate and provide preventative maintenance for fleet vehicles Incumbent interacts in a courteous and respectful manner with a wide variety of people each day at many locations.
• The MVO is under the direct supervision of the Transportation Supervisor.
• The MVO works closely with the dispatcher for instructions to drivers as to the type of vehicle to be operated, destination, cargo, passengers or patients to be transported, the purpose of the trip, deadlines to be met, and any specific information important to the mission.
• Additionally, some drivers determine the route to be followed, taking into consideration such factors as the clearance of underpasses, overhead powerlines, weight limitations, highway restrictions.
• Much of assignments are completed independently.
• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Operates oversize buses with a gross vehicle weight of over 37,000 lbs.
• Required to drive hundreds of miles (over 200 hundred) to support various medical center conferences, state and local Government emergency response support, remedial services outings for Veterans, overnight recreational therapy outings for services, Veteran's Sports Clinics, VIP visitors and various other events throughout the counties.
• The motor vehicle operator may be required to stay overnight with his or her oversize vehicle.
• Read and analyze data on special gauges to ensure proper engine operation, gear selection and air pressure requirements for air-brake systems.
• Possess the knowledge and ability to perform routine vehicle preventive maintenance checks and service of all vehicles he/she is qualified and authorized to operate.
• Operates several types and classes of motor vehicles including buses, trucks, lift trucks, box trucks with lifts, passenger vans, patient transport vehicles, cargo vans, towing, wheelchair buses, passenger shuttle buses, combination vehicles with weights which typically have an approximate gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds and up to 37,000 pounds.
• Transports patients, wheelchairs, VA station visitors, specimens, prescriptions, medications, prosthetic equipment, supplies, laundry, and other items and materials essential to patient care.
• Performs routine preventive maintenance checks, washing, cleaning and service of all vehicles he or she is qualified to operate.
• Incumbent must be familiar with normal routes and must be able to establish any alternate routes in the local San Diego area.
• Must possess a valid Class B Commercial driver's license with air-brake, and passenger endorsement.
• The incumbent maintains all records and a filing system for information relevant to the general operations of the motor vehicle activities and maintenance Work Schedule: 9:30am - 6:00pm Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not available Position Description Title/PD#: Motor Vehicle Operator/PD11559A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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 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 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 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.