Housekeeping Aid (Leader)

This position is located within Environmental Management Services (EMS) of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Newington CT. The position, generally aligned under to the Housekeeping Supervisor, is responsible for supporting and performing tasks (e.g., environment of care, textile distribution and training) associated with the Environmental Management Services (EMS) goals and objectives. The position is a working leader for housekeeping operations throughout the VA Medical Center(s). The position leads Housekeeping Aids and others as assigned. The position leads three (3) or more employees in performing their duties while performing the full range of housekeeping tasks required to maintain the Medical center and other facility units in a clean, organized and sanitary condition. The position is guided by EMS and Medical Center policies and procedures, VA regulations and verbal instructions from EMS Management. Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to: Assists the Housekeeping Supervisor to accomplish a vast array of service tasks and has the authority to accomplish day to day operational requirements. Accomplishes priorities, deadlines, and establishes work schedules and methods based upon policies and processes established by EMS. Communicates instructions from the Supervisor to the employees and then validates the completion of the work assigned. Coordinates projects with nurses and other area supervisors to ensure work timely and successful completion. Works directly with EMS staff and ensures they operates as an effective working unit by routinely rounding and interacting to create a culture of positive employee engagement with a strong focus on customer service. Ensures all tasks are complete and deadlines are met. Engages with all employees to provide purpose, direction and motivation in accomplishing all tasks, while training the employee in proper procedures and techniques to meet or exceed desired outcomes of workload and safety. Reports progress of employees to the Supervisor and makes recommendations as necessary, on all matters to include the progress of work, any infractions of policies and procedures, and assures all safety compliance. The position also performs the full range of housekeeping duties. may clean areas to include, but not limited to horizontal and vertical surfaces in: outpatient surgery, outpatient clinics, central sterile, clean rooms, patient areas, laboratory, pharmacy, offices, support and patient areas, isolation rooms, storage rooms, corridors, stairwells, toilet rooms, shower rooms, and all other Medical center areas as required. Actively supports administrative timekeeping processes to keep subordinates compliant to the timekeeping system. Ensures the department has adequate Linen, supplies and equipment on hand necessary to meet the department and facility needs. Ensures that linen, supplies, keys and equipment are properly secured and equipment is maintained. Comprehensive knowledge of, and/or the ability to quickly learn and apply the broad range of administrative laws, policies, regulations and precedents applicable to the supervision of the environmental management program. Work Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours a week, Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm, EST. Position Description Title/PD#: Housekeeping Aid (Leader)/PD99913S Notifications: Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a bargaining unit position. This position is in the Competitive Service. Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Follow Directions Handle Weights and Loads Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Lead or Supervise Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Work Practices Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. PHYSICAL EFFORT: The position demands continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling, and pushing. The work requires the occasional use of heavy powered cleaning equipment (e.g., wall washers, industrial type buffers) weighing over 50 pounds. The duties necessitate considerable dexterity, hand, foot, and eye coordination, and concentration as well as visual acuity to see dirt, dust and debris. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is normally performed indoors with adequate heat, light, and ventilation. Some work may be performed outdoors where there may be exposed to varying degrees of heat and cold as well as inclement weather. PPE may be required in some circumstance as exposure to possible contagious diseases, blood and bloody secretion are inherent to this position. Care is required to avoid serious injuries (i.e., broken bones) when working on ladders, or when using 30-100-pound power equipment or handling hazardous materials. U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.