Hospital Housekeeping Officer

Veterans Health Administration•Fort Meade, SD

About The Position

The Hospital Housekeeping Officer develops, coordinates, directs, and manages the hospital housekeeping program. The program emphasizes environmental sanitation that meets acceptable bacteriological and visual cleanliness standards and ensures appropriate laundry textile production and delivery in type, quantity, and quality. The officer oversees environmental sanitation; laundry, linen, and uniform operations; integrated interior and exterior pest control; non-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME); waste management and reduction; bed services, including the Bed Management Service (BMS); and the Interior Design Program. The officer monitors contracted services as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or within their area of responsibility, determines resource needs and allocations, and communicates agency and hospital policies and priorities throughout the department. The role advises the Chief of Facilities Management and executive leadership and is responsible for implementing and maintaining environmental sanitation, cost-efficient uniform operations, waste management, integrated pest management, interior design, document shredding, and recycling programs. The officer identifies employee development and training needs and arranges appropriate training. In collaboration with the Green Environment Management System (GEMS) Coordinator, the officer completes environmental aspect/impact analyses and implements operational strategies to support regulatory compliance and improve environmental performance. The officer serves as Purchase Card Approver, ensuring cardholders follow procurement requirements and complete accurate reconciliations within required timeframes. The officer also manages information security within their area, protects computer systems and sensitive information, limits employee access to information needed for their duties, and reports and addresses security violations. The position is in the VA Midwest Health Care Network and supports its Whole Health System approach to care for Veterans. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework may be authorized on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, subject to eligibility, training, and a telework agreement. The position is not virtual.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
For current Federal employees who held a GS grade during the past 52 weeks, meet the GS-13 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-12 by the announcement closing date.
Experience in two or more relevant areas: applying chemistry, biology, and bacteriology principles to environmental sanitation and infection control; laundry and linen management; interior design management; waste management, including hazardous, toxic, and infectious waste requirements and final disposition; or pest management, including alternative controls and chemical selection and application.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in Federal service, including experience in Environmental Management Service leadership and management; resolving issues affecting program goals; managing an EMS budget; planning and directing short- and long-range operations; ensuring compliance with EPA, OSHA, JCAHO, and other regulatory entities; making decisions affecting objectives, funding, scheduling, organizational structure, or resource allocation; collaborating on Medical Center waste management and compliance reporting; and participating in technical linen operations as Assistant Textile Care Officer.
Meet the applicable pre-employment background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Pass a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process.
Rated competencies include Conflict Management, Influencing/Negotiating, Manages Resources, Partnering, and Planning and Evaluating.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and supervise hospital housekeeping functions, including environmental sanitation; laundry, linen, and uniform operations; integrated pest management; non-critical RME; waste management and reduction; bed services and BMS; and interior design.
Monitor contracted services as COR or as otherwise assigned within the officer’s area of responsibility.
Determine resource needs and allocate resources.
Communicate agency and local hospital policies and priorities throughout the housekeeping department.
Advise the Chief of Facilities Management and executive leadership on housekeeping and environmental management programs.
Implement and maintain environmental sanitation, uniform operations, waste management, pest management, interior design, document shredding, and recycling programs.
Identify employee development and training needs and arrange required training.
Complete environmental aspect/impact analysis in collaboration with the GEMS Coordinator and implement GEMS operational strategies to support regulatory compliance and improve environmental performance.
Serve as Purchase Card Approver and ensure cardholders follow procurement requirements and complete accurate reconciliations within required timeframes.
Manage information security within the area of responsibility, protect system security and sensitive information, limit employee access appropriately, and report and address security violations.