Laundry Machine Operator

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent Employees of the West Palm Beach VAHCS (Facility Only).

This position is a Laundry Machine Operator assigned to the Textile Care Section of the Environmental Management Section. They perform duties in the operation of large, industrial laundry equipment. Equipment is (3) 800 lb. Washer/extractors, (2) 400 lb. Washer/extractors, (1) 200 lb. Washer/extractor, (4) 85 lb. Washer/extractors, (2) 440 lb. Gas dryers, (3) 110 lb. Steam dryers, (I) 500E cart washer, and associated conveyors, hoppers and an extensive monorail system. This section of the laundry is organizationally identified as the "Wash Area".

The Laundry Machine Operator regularly works with only the (2) 440 lb gas dryers, (3) 110 lb steam dryers, ( 4) 85 lb washers / extractors, and the clean side of the (1) 500e cart washer. Will provide relief of the higher graded Laundry Machine Operator during periods of annual leave or sick leave and whenever the workload indicates peak levels that would be at the discretion of the laundry Supervisor.

Will perform apprentice duties that involve the classifying, washing, drying, and / or tumbling and cleaning soiled linen carts via a cart washing system.

Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To:

• Will assist in the processing of 4,000,000 lbs. of laundry per year and for uniforms for more than 2800 employees. In addition the processing of patient personnel clothing, scrub-wear, and protective clothing will be "bundled".
• Load washers according to designated weights and will assure balance of loads, set controls, according to classification of workloads and designated wash formulas.
• Remove linens from washers after completed wash cycle and inspect to insure a high quality of cleanliness using personal judgment.
• Re-wash cycle may be implemented based on judgment.
• Process blended uniforms through the washer / extractor to dryers.
• Particular independent judgment is required when setting and adjusting uniform settings and formulas.
• Load dryers, set controls, and judge time settings according to classification of laundry.
• Dry some items to I00% and other items that require ironing to a moisture retention relative to the temperature and speed of the ironer.
• Primarily and regularly work with dryers and will move linen via the monorail into and out of the gas dryers.
• Load and unload dryers in a timely manner to progress items to the next workstation.
• Separate the assigned workload of soiled linens / uniforms from Miami VA and WPB VAMC.
• Required to be aware of linen flow and make on the spot adjustments to change with the fluctuating linen flow.
• Assist in the handling and use of thousands of pounds of caustic laundry operating supplies such as detergents, bleach, sours, and other chemicals required in the process.
• Is required to be constantly observant to special hazards and safety conditions associated with the operating of the various large industrial laundry equipment.
• Infection control issues including universal precautions, alertness to needles, broken glass and other objects must be of great concern.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0700-1530.
Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Machine Operator/PD01193A
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
• 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 identification 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, 08/10/2026.

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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Materials
• Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• 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.

Physical Requirements: Required to stand for the entire tour of duty and is required to have quick hand and arm movement. The employee is required to handle bundles of laundry up to twenty-five pounds and occasionally up to fifty pounds. Required to utilize a monorail system with fully loaded slings. This will require pushing and pulling overhead. Must possess the limited ability to bend, stoop, climb and reach. The employee may be required to stand on hard concrete floors.

Working Conditions:
Is exposed to extremely noisy and usually hot and humid conditions. Will be exposed to rapidly varying climate conditions when moving from one area of the laundry to another. The employee may be exposed to contagious diseases, and grossly soiled items. The employee is required in this instance to wear protective gloves masks, gloves and gowns and any other protective clothing as is indicated.

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
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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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