Hospital Housekeeping Officer

Veterans Health Administration•North Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospital Housekeeping Officer is based at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago and reports directly to the Deputy Associate Director for Facility Support. The position plans, organizes, staffs, controls, evaluates, and directs an expanded Environmental Management Service (EMS) supporting a 100-acre campus and seven outpatient clinics in Wisconsin and Illinois. Beyond environmental cleaning, the role oversees environmental sanitation; linen and textile control and management, including laundry contracting and distribution; EMS supply distribution; EMS equipment property management; pest control coordination; and solid, potentially infectious medical, and biohazardous waste removal. As a full staff official to senior management, the officer provides guidance affecting organizational and clinical operations at an integrated VA and Department of Defense facility, and ensures applicable standards are met across both systems. The officer interprets agency and local policies and drafts policies for facility approval; delegates work to subordinate supervisors and holds them accountable; ensures environmental regulatory compliance through applicable programs and standard operating procedures; and independently directs assigned operations within the limits established by the Facility Support Directorate. The role also evaluates sanitation activities and cleaning methods, manages employee training and performance, develops operating plans and procedures, and allocates resources to meet program goals. The officer prepares and monitors staff work plans, identifies training and competency needs, and oversees program areas and contracts for environmental sanitation, linen management, waste management and recycling, and pest control. The position is not virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0700–1530, or as needed to meet operational needs. The position is described as a temporary promotion and may become permanent without competition.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
For current or former federal employees covered by the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-12 for a GS-13 position by the announcement closing date.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12, involving knowledge and skills related to the position.
Specialized experience in two or more relevant areas, such as environmental sanitation and infection control; laundry and linen management; interior design management; hazardous, toxic, and infectious waste management and disposition; or pest management, including control methods and chemical selection and application.
Meet the basic qualification through relevant undergraduate study or experience in two or more specified relevant areas; there is no education substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.
Competencies assessed include communication, decision making, hazardous materials, infection control, planning and evaluating, and quality assurance.
Must complete required background/security investigation, pre-employment onboarding, and drug testing if selected for a testing-designated position.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Physical ability to move throughout the work areas and, as needed, stand for long periods; crouch, bend, stoop, stretch, or walk; and frequently lift items weighing less than 23 kilograms (50 pounds).

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, staff, control, evaluate, and direct the expanded Environmental Management Service for the FHCC campus and outpatient clinics.
Oversee environmental sanitation and evaluate cleaning methods, techniques, procedures, and sanitation objectives.
Manage linen and textile control, including laundry contracting and distribution.
Oversee EMS supply distribution and property management of EMS equipment.
Coordinate pest control and oversee solid, potentially infectious medical, and biohazardous waste removal, as well as waste management and recycling.
Interpret agency and local policies and draft policies for facility approval.
Delegate work to subordinate supervisors and hold them accountable for assigned duties.
Implement environmental programs and standard operating procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.
Exercise independent judgment and initiative in directing assigned operations and program management within the Facility Support Directorate's limits.
Ensure employees know and follow safety rules, receive required safety training, and meet safety program requirements.
Train, counsel, discipline, evaluate, and promote employee growth.
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.
Manage program areas and contracts for environmental sanitation, linen management, waste management and recycling, and pest control.
Adhere to all provisions of the Equal Opportunity Program.
Perform other related duties as assigned.