Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open only to current permanent employees at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).

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Duties may include but are not limited to:
-Perform limited supervisory duties in the absence of the supervisor on duty.
-Regularly performs and leads the team members in the following housekeeping duties: performing floor care in, cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing all patient and public restrooms; bed making; general and specialized cleaning to include (but not limited to) sweeping/mopping floors, dust mopping and damp mopping; in-depth cleaning of floor surfaces, hallways, and stairwells; stripping, scrubbing, refinishing and buffing tiled floors; shampooing, vacuuming and cleaning carpets; maintaining refinished floors using correct solutions and EMS guidelines; performing high/low dusting; cleaning the exterior of vents, medical, instrument panels, night stands, bedside tables, patient/visitor side chairs, light fixtures and other axillary items; dusting furniture and walls; cleaning ledges, door frames, baseboards, comers, and edges; cleaning hallways and stairwells; cleaning high-frequency touch points, such as light fixtures, doorknobs, handrails, hand sanitizer drip trays, and door guards; washing walls, blinds, woodwork and the interior side of windows; polishing metal fixtures; cleaning glass doors, windows, and other glass surfaces; cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing all patient and public restroom to include urinals, toilets, stalls, sinks, shelves, hooks, bathtubs, shower stalls, mirrors and all restroom fixtures; spot cleaning walls and performing floor care as required; bagging trash and breaking down boxes and removing to the appropriate disposal site.
-Ensures that the quality and quantity of work performed meets established standards.
-Advise the supervisor on the progress of planned goals, report reasons for delays, and recommend solutions.
-Assists in on-the-job training activities of employees in proper housekeeping techniques.
-Inspects the assigned area dally to ensure that it has been cleaned satisfactorily, noting discrepancies on the inspection sheets.
-May be assigned to a variety of projects, depending on the needs of the mission and the service.
-Sets up conference rooms or meeting areas for meetings as necessary, and coordinates and directs the break-down and clean up after a meeting or function.
-Ensures that established Infection control guidelines and procedures are exercised and utilized when performing duties in Isolation, recovery, and operating rooms, dialysis and patient care areas, exam rooms and throughout the facility.
-May be required to use Ultra-Violet (UV) lighting system.
-Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Saturday to Wednesday, 3:00p.m. to 11:30p.m. to include rotating holidays
Position Description Title/PD#: Environmental Services Technician (Leader)/PD671-3227-A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/01/2025.

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
• 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 Requirements/Working Conditions: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (6 hours); Pushing (6 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (6 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (8 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability to distinguish basic colors. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions. Work is performed throughout the medical center. The incumbent may be exposed to inclement weather when removing waste to the established points of disposal. He/she may occasionally be exposed to uncomfortable conditions In such areas as research and maintenance facilities. He/she must be able to work under pressure, exercise flexibility in changing tasks with short notice, and manage emergencies and deadlines without undue interruption of routine. The Incumbent may be required to work any established tour of duty as deemed necessary for the accomplishment of the mission. He/she is subject to call back during operation. The Incumbent will be assigned to tours of duty as needed to maintain adequate coverage. The incumbent must consistently follow infection control procedures to include (but not limited to) hand hygiene, personal hygiene, and following universal precautions. He/she utilizes protective items as required and needed, such as gloves, gown, goggles and masks. Infection control standards must be maintained at all times. The Incumbent may be exposed to a tense or emotionally-charged atmosphere working in Isolation precaution areas. The incumbent may be subject to occasional noise. The incumbent will be exposed to contaminated areas frequently, and may suffer skin irritations from the large variety of sanitizers/germicidals used. He/she will be subject to mechanical or electrical hazards, or other occupational hazards. He/she may be subject to cuts and bruises. Rashes and allergies may result due to strong detergents and disinfectants used in the course of completing work.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.