Hospital Housekeeping Officer

Veterans Health Administration•North Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located 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 Hospital Housekeeping Officer plans, organizes, staffs, controls, evaluates, and directs an expanded Environmental Management Service (EMS) serving a 100-acre campus and seven outpatient clinics in Wisconsin and Illinois. The role covers environmental sanitation; linen and textile control and management, including laundry contracting and distribution; EMS supply and distribution; EMS equipment property management; pest-control coordination; and solid, potentially infectious medical, and biohazardous waste removal. As a full staff official, the EMS Chief advises senior management on matters affecting organizational and clinical operations. The FHCC integrates two healthcare organizations with different operating regulations and requirements, requiring knowledge of standards applicable to both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. The position interprets agency and local policies, drafts policies for local approval, and manages programs and contracts within the authority of the Facility Support Directorate. The officer oversees subordinate supervisors and employees, ensures regulatory and safety compliance, evaluates sanitation methods and outcomes, and manages staff training, counseling, discipline, performance evaluation, and development. The role also develops organizational structures, operating plans, and procedures; determines and allocates resources; and prepares and monitors staff work plans. The position is not virtual. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 0700–1530, or as needed to meet operational needs.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
For current or former federal employees subject to the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-12 for a GS-13 position, with documentation as specified in the announcement.
Meet the basic qualification through relevant undergraduate education in a listed or related field, or experience in at least two listed areas: environmental sanitation and infection control; laundry and linen management; interior design management; waste management; or pest management.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12, involving knowledge and skills relevant to the position and experience in at least two of the listed environmental sanitation, linen, interior design, waste management, or pest management areas.
Complete the application, assessment, and questionnaire required for consideration.
Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment identification requirements.
If selected, complete the required urinalysis drug screening and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Meet the position's physical demands, including substantial walking across the work area; periods of standing; recurring crouching, bending, stooping, or stretching; and frequent lifting of items under 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, staff, control, evaluate, and direct EMS functions across the campus and outpatient clinics.
Manage environmental sanitation, linen and textile services, laundry contracting and distribution, EMS supplies and distribution, EMS equipment property management, pest-control coordination, solid waste, potentially infectious medical waste, and biohazardous waste removal.
Advise senior management on organizational and clinical operations as a full staff official.
Interpret agency and local policies and draft policies for local facility approval.
Delegate work to subordinate supervisors and hold them accountable for assigned duties.
Implement applicable environmental programs and standard operating procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.
Direct assigned work operations and program management within the limits established by the Facility Support Directorate.
Ensure employees know and follow safety rules, receive required safety training, and meet safety program requirements.
Review and evaluate sanitation activities 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 to achieve program goals.
Determine resource needs and allocate resources appropriately; assess their 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, including environmental sanitation, linen management, waste management and recycling, and pest control.
Perform other related duties as assigned.