Clarification from the agency

Status: Applications will be accepted from all eligible current and former competitive service Federal employees, Federal employees eligible under current VA-OPM Interchange Agreements who have at least 1 year of continuous service; Employees with excepted service appointments who previously attained career status; Current, permanent Veterans Canteen Service employees, provided 90 days have passed since their last appointment; eligible Veterans, and applicants under special hiring authorities.

Environment Management Service manages, maintains, leads and directs programs and functions related to: all housekeeping sanitation, pest control, uniform, linen, interior design, new construction/remodeling projects, and waste management at Lebanon VA Medical Center Main Campus and the VA's Northeast Consolidated Patient Accounts Center (CPAC) also located on the main campus. EMS manages, leads, and directs interior design at the 5 VA Community Clinics (VACCs).

The Chief of EMS is regarded as the technical authority on assigned core sanitation, non-criterial equipment cleaning program, consolidated laundry operations, waste management and integrated pest management programs. The incumbent will directly or through subordinate supervisors direct the work of 103 employees on 3 different shifts for a 24/7 operation in various Lebanon VAMC buildings.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for preparing and implementing the annual budget for EMS. In addition, the incumbent is the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for 12 contracts and is responsible for EMS operational budget.
• Responsible for the comprehensive planning, direction, and coordination of the full EMS operation, as well as the evaluation of the MCs Environmental Management Service programs and functions.
• Implements and maintains a sound environmental sanitation program, a cost-efficient laundry, linen, uniform operation, grounds maintenance and Labor service, waste management, integrated pest management, and recycling programs, Cleaning and Disinfection of Non-critical equipment program, wheelchairs program.
• Maintenance of acceptable standards for all activities and areas for Joint Commission environment of care standards must be maintained on an on-going basis. Ensure facility compliance with accreditation, standards, and other regulatory entities which cover policies for the interior and exterior of this facility.
• Administers a formal, systematic internal review plan for reviewing and appraising the effectiveness of each phase of EMS activities. They analyze and reports findings to management. Incumbent is an integral member of the Environment of Care Rounds throughout the MC complex, reporting, and directing the follow up of EMS issues to ensure timely correction of any identified deficiencies.
• Develops standards for the handling of toxic, radioactive, and highly contagious bio-hazardous waste to assure the MC complies with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provides specialized training concerning the handling of contaminated and non-contaminated linen and waste, as well as the use and upkeep of EMS equipment to ensure adherence to established standards, procedures, and instructions. The incumbent formulates training programs, training, and technical manuals for use in both on-the-job and classroom instruction.
• Develops appropriate performance standards and evaluate work performance of subordinates based on these standards. Evaluating subordinate supervisors or leaders and serving as the reviewing official on evaluations of nonsupervisory employees rated by subordinate supervisors. Interviews candidates for subordinate positions, make or approving selections, promotions, and reassignments for subordinate nonsupervisory positions; and recommends for supervisory positions.
• Resolve employee complaints, refer group grievances and serious, unresolved complaints to a higher level. Implements minor disciplinary measures and recommend action for more serious cases. Identify and arrange for developmental and training needs of staff.
• Serves on several committees as a management representative as needed and as appointed by the AD.
• Other duties as needed and as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Monday - Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Hospital Housekeeping Officer/PD002470
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 11/28/2025.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

All current, permanent federal employees applicants must ensure that they have included one or more SF50's showing both current (SF50 dated 2023 for GS OR SF50 dated 2022 for WG) employment status AND if applicable, include additional SF50s to demonstrate AT LEAST FULL ONE year equivalent to a GS-11 grade level or higher.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirement: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in TWO OR MORE of the following areas, specifically in a health care/hospital setting only:

• Experience that demonstrated a practical working knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, biology, and bacteriology as applied to environmental sanitation, infection control, and to the choice and use of antimicrobial agents in the disinfection, sanitization, and/or sterilization of surfaces and equipment.
• Experience in laundry and linen management.
• Experience in interior design management.
• Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of waste management, including the requirements relating to hazardous, toxic, and infectious wastes and provisions for their final disposition.
• Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of pest management, including alternative methods of control and the selection and application of chemicals.

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. This must be detailed on your resume. We will not make assumptions.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• #232 Project Management
• Administration and Management
• Human Resources Management
• Organizational Awareness
• Planning and Evaluating

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: Performance of the incumbent's duties may require extensive walking per day to meet with the facility managers and other clinic personnel. The employee's work may require occasional travel. Trips to satellite outpatient clinics are sometimes necessary and will involve transportation via automotive vehicle.

Position requires long periods of concentration that is often interrupted. Incumbent is often faced with changing priorities and with meetings. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. Does not include normal, everyday risks, discomforts, or unpleasantness, which the average worker might have.

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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