Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division.

Duties:

• Plans and schedules short and long range work assignments, analyzes work schedules, determines manpower requirements, materials, methods, procedures and equipment required to accomplish various objectives within the Medical Center.
• Sets priorities and deadlines to facilitate the ease of operations, yet maintains flexibility and adaptability to meet emergent and changing situations.
• Plans a training schedule that meets the needs of the housekeeping workforce and meets all VA requirements on training.
• Maintains an inspection and quality control program to point out necessary project work to include identifying, scheduling, and administering projects for intensive floor care, carpet care, and restroom tile floor scrubbing quarterly, semi-annually, and annually.
• Assigns and directs the work, methods, and procedures to subordinates.
• Defines the standards of quality to be met.
• Instructs subordinates on difficult work operations, and reviews the work while in progress and after completion.
• Changes work plans, work assignments, and methods as necessary to reduce or control costs and to accomplish the work of the unit as effectively as possible.
• Determines the equipment, material, and maintenance required for a variety of floor and wall finishes.
• Assures that equipment or supplies are ordered and delivered to the work site so that work and projects are not delayed.
• Maintains a balanced work load and coordinates work schedules with personnel or other services when affected and makes sure the safety of customers is not compromised.
• Understands and has knowledge in a variety of chemicals and numerous types of pathogens present in a healthcare environment.
• Assists in planning and conducting a training and safety program.
• Maintains proper records of quality control inspections and action plans.
• Establishes and maintains a proper leave program for staff.
• Recommends promotions, disciplinary actions, and all other personnel actions in accordance with policies, Equal Employment Opportunity, and The Union Master Agreement.
• Keeps written records for areas of responsibility and for providing feeder reports regarding the accuracy or adequacy for the department.
• Interviews and selects new employees for the Housekeeping and Linen Department.
• Maintains all records necessary for accountability and statistical records for preparation of reports for the Hospital Housekeeping Officer, and Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer of the Environmental Management Services Section.
• Maintains linen, uniform and supply inventory records and uses these records to recommend purchases of employee uniforms, indigent clothing or supplies, marking and mending supplies, etc., to the Hospital Housekeeping Officer, and Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer of the Environmental Management Services Section.

Responsible for the direct supervision of 15-20 Wage Grade-2 Housekeeping Aids, 4-5 Wage Grade-2 Linen Management Specialists, 2-3 Wage Grade 3 Housekeeping Aids, 1 Housekeeping Aid Work Leader Grade-2, and up to 6 Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) workers. Special consideration must be given to the fact that the VA is a teaching hospital and requires special knowledge concerning laboratory cleaning, surgical, and clinical cleaning. Tour of duty schedule is subject to change due to the fact that this is a 24-hour, 7days-per- week operation. Incumbent must be able to work autonomously and make decisions without being supervised and is solely responsible for the daily actions of staff.

Responsible for supervising individuals in hazardous waste cleanup, pest control, and must have special knowledge of infection control techniques and chemicals used in sanitation. Incumbent falls under the supervision of the Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer.

Work Schedule: 3:00 pm-1130pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Environmental Service Technician (Housekeeping Aid) Supervisor/PD07435A
Physical Requirements: 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.

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: A driver's license in the State or Territory in which assigned is required. Candidates must pass a Federal service driving test and/or complete any related requirements.

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.

Qualifications

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:

• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Lead or Supervise
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)

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.

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Most recent SF-50 is required for current/recent federal employees
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

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.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Next steps