Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer

Veterans Health Administration • Jamaica Plain, MA

3d

About The Position

The Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, New England Health Care Network (VISN 1), at a Medical Center within Environmental Management Services. The incumbent has overall management and program responsibility for hospital housekeeping operations and related ancillary functions.

The role directs a broad environmental management program, including uniform appropriation, environmental health and sanitation, pest control, biohazardous waste, traditional waste management, and the maintenance of sanitary and visually clean hospital spaces. It also oversees facility programs such as fitness centers and Fisher House. The incumbent develops personnel policies, carries out personnel actions, establishes training programs, sets objectives, and evaluates program results to support a clean and appealing hospital environment.

The officer serves on the Director’s advisory or executive board and facility committees, contributing to the medical center’s mission, planning, policy development, and budgeting. The role coordinates between Administrative and Clinical Services on epidemiology and infection control, participates in infection prevention and surgical services committees, interprets and drafts policies, and addresses environmental and regulatory compliance. It administers labor-management agreements, delegates and oversees work through subordinate supervisors, ensures employee safety and training, and manages staff plans, resources, and competencies.

The position oversees sanitation, linen, waste and recycling, and pest control programs or contracts. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Telework may be authorized, subject to discussion during the interview; this is not a virtual position. The incumbent may need to travel to other Boston VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics. The work covers a large medical center campus and involves movement among facilities, with possible standing, walking, bending, crouching, stretching, stooping, inspections, and lifting items under 50 pounds. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the Hospital Housekeeping Management Series 0673 Individual Occupational Requirement through qualifying education or experience.
• For the GS-11 grade based on experience, have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level or equivalent, including experience in at least two qualifying areas related to hospital housekeeping management.
• Qualifying specialized experience may include environmental sanitation and infection control; laundry and linen management; interior design management; hazardous, toxic, and infectious waste management; or pest management.
• Alternatively, for GS-11 qualification based on education, possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M., related to public health or business administration with an emphasis in hospital administration.
• Education may be combined with experience under the stated qualification rules; a transcript is required when using education to qualify.
• Current federal employees and certain former federal employees must meet the GS-11 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-09 and provide supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Demonstrate knowledge or experience with regulatory standards governing hospital environmental operations, including safety, sanitation, and infection control; this is a quality ranking factor.
• Complete all required application steps, including the application, assessment, questionnaire, and Supervisory Situational Judgment Test.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding and employment eligibility verification.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Serve a probationary or trial period as applicable; a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may also be required.
• Be able to perform duties involving movement across a large campus and possible extended standing or walking, recurring crouching, bending, stooping, stretching, inspections, and lifting items under 50 pounds, with accommodation or workplace adjustment where needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, manage, review, and evaluate hospital housekeeping and environmental management programs, including uniform appropriation, environmental health and sanitation, pest control, biohazardous waste, waste management, and cleanliness of hospital spaces.
• Oversee facility programs such as fitness centers and Fisher House, as well as environmental sanitation, linen management, waste management and recycling, and pest-control programs or contracts.
• Develop personnel management policies and carry out personnel actions for service staff.
• Establish training programs and ensure compliance with Veterans Health Administration and local policies.
• Set objectives and coordinate program reviews and evaluations to maintain a clean and aesthetically pleasing hospital environment.
• Serve on the Director’s advisory or executive board and facility committees, including administrative executive, strategic planning, infection prevention, and surgical services committees.
• Contribute to facility planning, policy development, budgeting, and formulation of the overall hospital mission; advocate for management improvement across the facility and dependent facilities.
• Coordinate between Administrative Services and Clinical Services on epidemiology and infection control.
• Provide input on infection-control matters, including Clostridium difficile control, disinfection, biohazardous waste handling and disposal, bloodborne pathogen precautions, and disposal of antineoplastic materials.
• Interpret agency and local policies and draft policies for local facility approval.
• Administer labor-management agreements and confer with union officials to resolve issues concerning contract interpretation or application.
• Delegate work to subordinate supervisors and hold them accountable for performance.
• Ensure environmental regulatory compliance through applicable environmental programs and standard operating procedures.
• Use independent judgment to direct assigned operations and program-management responsibilities within established limits.
• Ensure employees understand and follow safety rules, receive required safety training, and meet safety program requirements.
• Review and evaluate Sanitation Section activities, objectives, and the effectiveness of cleaning methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Train, counsel, discipline, evaluate, and support the development of employees.
• Develop organizational structures, operating plans, and procedures; determine resource needs, allocation, and effectiveness.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor staff work plans and utilization.
• Identify training and competency needs and ensure on-the-job training develops technical competence.
• Travel to other Boston VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics when required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available; specific benefits depend on position and eligibility.
• Prior qualifying federal or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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