Environmental Services Technician (EVS) - Housekeeping Aid (Leader)

Veterans Health Administration • New Orleans, LA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within Environmental Management Services at a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Generally aligned under the Housekeeping Supervisor, the position supports and performs tasks related to the service’s goals and objectives, including environment-of-care activities, textile distribution, and training. It serves as a working leader for housekeeping operations throughout the VA Medical Center(s), with authority to accomplish day-to-day operational requirements.

The employee performs and helps coordinate housekeeping work, communicates the Supervisor’s instructions to employees, validates completion of assigned work, reports employee progress and policy or procedure infractions, and recommends action as needed. The role includes motivating and training employees in proper procedures and techniques to achieve expected work and safety outcomes.

The work schedule is 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m., or 11:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. The schedule may change based on agency needs. Work is primarily indoors in a medical center, typically in areas with adequate heat, light, and ventilation. The position involves continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling, and pushing; occasional moderately heavy effort; and occasional use of heavy powered cleaning equipment, ladders, and scaffolds. Employees may encounter strong cleaning solutions, hazardous materials, contagious diseases, blood, and bloody secretions. Personal protective equipment may be required in some circumstances.

Requirements

• Evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to demonstrate the ability to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to perform the duties, supported by detailed descriptions in the resume.
• Ability to meet the position’s screen-out and job-element requirements, including dexterity and safety; interpreting instructions and specifications; leading or supervising; using and maintaining tools and equipment; and work practices.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Suitability for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Successful completion of a one-year probationary period and written certification that continued employment advances the public interest.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza program, including annual vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption; a face mask is required when an exemption is granted.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of chemistry, biology, and bacteriology to hospital housekeeping requirements.
• Interpret and implement verbal and written instructions from the Supervisor to achieve acceptable results in assigned areas.
• Operate and perform minor maintenance on floor scrubbers and buffers, wet- and dry-pickup vacuums, and battery-powered scrubbers.
• Scrub, strip, wax, and polish floors; sweep, mop, and vacuum.
• Follow medical center policies and use aseptic cleaning and disinfection techniques.
• Safely handle non-infectious and infectious waste.
• Communicate the Supervisor’s instructions to employees and validate completion of assigned work.
• Report employee progress and policy or procedure infractions to the Supervisor, make recommendations, and ensure safety compliance.
• Engage, direct, motivate, and train employees in proper work procedures and techniques.
• Use ladders and scaffolds to wash ceiling fixtures and room partitions.
• Assist management with service tasks and day-to-day operational requirements.
• Operate battery-powered equipment and move furniture; set up ladders and other heavy equipment as required.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on the position and employment status.
• VA may credit approved job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual-leave accrual rate, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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