Housekeeping Aid (Leader)

Veterans Health Administration • Washington, DC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is a working leader for housekeeping operations within the Environmental Management Services Division of a VA Medical Center in Washington, DC. Under the direct supervision of the Housekeeping Supervisor or designee, the employee leads three or more Housekeeping Aids and other assigned employees while also performing the full range of janitorial and custodial duties. The role follows EMS and Medical Center policies and procedures, applicable regulations, and management instructions. The leader communicates assignments, demonstrates methods and proper use of supplies and equipment, checks that work is completed on time, coordinates projects with area supervisors, and reports employee progress and policy or safety concerns to the Supervisor. The role also provides on-the-job training and recommends remedial training when needed.

Housekeeping work may take place in outpatient surgery, clinics, central sterile areas, clean rooms, patient areas, laboratories, pharmacies, offices, support areas, isolation and storage rooms, corridors, stairwells, and toilet and shower rooms. Duties include cleaning surfaces and fixtures; dust and damp mopping; emptying general and medical waste receptacles; replenishing restroom supplies; making beds and turning mattresses; and scrubbing, stripping, refinishing, and polishing floors using hand-operated and industrial equipment. The employee may also lead textile distribution and inventory, uniform management, and the Patient Assistance Program, and may move furniture or arrange conference rooms. Other duties may be assigned.

The position has various shifts, including weekends and holidays. Work may occur indoors or outdoors in areas such as operating, treatment, examination, and imaging rooms, wards, and public, recreational, and administrative spaces. Some duties require protective clothing and PPE. The work may involve exposure to cleaning solutions, hazardous cleaning chemicals, bodily fluids, and communicable diseases, and interaction with medical and psychiatric patients. Physical requirements include occasional bending, stooping, crouching, and kneeling; lifting up to 50 pounds; and spending approximately 40% of time standing, 40% walking, and 20% sitting. Hearing and visual acuity and manual dexterity to use a phone and operate equipment are required.

Requirements

• Evidence of training or experience sufficient in scope and quality to demonstrate the ability to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Provide detailed descriptions of relevant duties and responsibilities on the resume to support claimed qualifications.
• Meet the position’s screen-out element and applicable OPM Federal Wage System qualification requirements.
• U.S. citizenship, unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the required online onboarding and pre-employment documentation.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Meet the physical requirements, including lifting up to 50 pounds, occasional bending, stooping, crouching, and kneeling, and the ability to stand, walk, and sit for the stated proportions of work time.
• Annual seasonal influenza vaccination is required, unless an exemption for medical or religious reasons is granted; face masking is required when an exemption is granted.

Responsibilities

• Lead three or more employees in housekeeping duties while performing the full range of those duties.
• Communicate the Supervisor’s instructions to employees and validate completion of assigned work.
• Coordinate projects with area supervisors to support timely and successful completion.
• Set the pace for tasks, demonstrate methods and techniques, and direct employees in the proper use of cleaning supplies and equipment.
• Ensure tasks are completed and deadlines are met, while motivating employees and training them in procedures, techniques, and safety practices.
• Report employee progress to the Supervisor and recommend action regarding work progress, policy or procedure infractions, and safety compliance.
• Clean assigned areas and surfaces, including patient care areas, clinics, operating and treatment spaces, offices, corridors, stairwells, and restrooms.
• Dust mop and damp mop; empty general and medical waste receptacles; wash walls; clean light fixtures and surfaces; and replenish toilet tissue, paper towels, and soap.
• Make beds and turn mattresses.
• Scrub, strip, refinish, and polish floors using hand-operated and industrial equipment.
• As assigned, lead textile distribution and inventory, uniform management, and the Patient Assistance Program.
• Provide on-the-job training and recommend employees for remedial training based on observations.
• Move furniture and set up conference rooms for meetings, training, or other events as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may offer credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; this must be requested and approved before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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