Environmental Care Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Bronx, NY

31d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as an Environmental Care Specialist in the Environmental Management Service Department at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center located in Bronx, New York. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder, with the major duties listed representing the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-9 grade level, duties will be of a more limited scope and performed with less independence, with progressive development towards the GS-11 level. Promotion is at the supervisor's discretion and contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and funds. The role requires understanding complex written instructions, policies, and environmental laws and regulations from various agencies such as VA, VHA, OSHA, JCAHO, and EPA. It also involves planning quality control measures, work schedules, production standards, and cleaning frequencies for the healthcare facility. The specialist will carry out directions, policies, and procedures to ensure the Environmental Management Service Center Program is implemented effectively and all responsibilities are met.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including an online assessment
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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
• 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
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English
• GS-9: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as an Environmental Care Specialist. Specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: performing administrative support under general supervision that supports environmental care and collecting data, preparing reports and spreadsheets as utilized in the performance of environmental sanitation functions of the environmental housekeeping program.
• GS-9: OR Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
• GS-9: OR Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level.
• GS-11: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as an Environmental Care Specialist. Specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: performing administrative duties that supports environmental care and collecting data, preparing reports and spreadsheets as utilized in the performance of environmental sanitation functions of the environmental housekeeping program. Maintaining, updating, and presenting manuals, policies, pest management and waste management plans as well as program infection control guidelines for review by Environmental Management Service Center management officials.
• GS-11: OR Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.
• GS-11: OR Equivalent combination of experience and education directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level.

Nice To Haves

• Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week.
• If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.
• If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.
• A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
• If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Responsibilities

• Planning and oversight of work done in support of Environmental Management Service Center goals and objectives
• Setting and adjusting short-term daily, weekly or monthly priorities
• Assigning work to Environmental Management Service Center Associates based on priorities, difficulty of assignments, and capabilities of associates
• Evaluating the work performance of Environmental Management Service Center Associates and recommending performance ratings
• Understanding complex written instructions, policies, Environmental laws and regulations (e.g., VA, VHA, OSHA, JCAHO, EPA)
• Planning quality control measures, work schedules, production standards, and cleaning frequencies for the health care facility
• Carrying out directions, policies and procedures issued by the Director, Environmental Management Service Center and the Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer to assure that the Environmental Management Service Center Program is implemented through each individual associate and assignment, and assures that all functional and program responsibilities are adequately met
• Performing other duties assigned

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level