Summary This position is located within Environmental Management Services (EMS) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Western New York Healthcare System - Buffalo. 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. Responsibilities 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. The leader communicates instructions from the Supervisor to the employees and then validates the completion of the work assigned. The position coordinates projects with nurses and other area supervisors to ensure work timely and successful completion. This position sets the pace of each task, demonstrates methods and techniques and provides direction to assigned employees in their proper usage is cleaning supplies and equipment. Ensures all tasks are complete and deadlines are met. The Housekeeping Aid Leader 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. This position 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. As a working leader, the position also performs the full range of housekeeping duties. The employee 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. The position is required to use proper procedures in dust mopping, damp mopping, emptying waste receptacles, emptying and replacing medical waste receptacle, washing walls, cleaning light fixtures, and surfaces as necessary, refilling toilet tissue, paper towels and soap dispensers. The position makes beds and turns mattresses. May be required to take the lead in textile distribution and inventory management, uniform management and Patient Assistance Program; provides on-the-job training to all employees assigned. Identifies and recommends to the Supervisor employees that need remedial training based on observations made in the work site. May be required to move furniture and set up conference rooms for meetings, trainings or other events. Additionally, the position scrubs, strips, refinishes, and polishes floors by using hand operated and industrial equipment. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 3:30PM-12:00AM Position Description Title/PD#: Housekeeping Aid/PD99913A Requirements 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/trial 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, 08/11/2025. 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 Follow Directions Handle Weights and Loads Lead or Supervise Reliability And Dependability Special Aptitude - Housekeeping Work 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: This position requires occasional bending/stooping, crouching, and kneeling. Lifting up to 50 pounds. Approximately 40 percent of time spent standing, 40 percent of time spent walking and 20 percent of time spent sitting. Hearing and visual acuity. Manual dexterity to use a phone and operate equipment. Working Conditions: The work is accomplished in a variety of different areas including operating rooms, treatment rooms, examination rooms, imaging rooms, wards and other public, recreational and administrative areas. Protective clothing and personnel protective equipment (PPE) including gowns, gloves, safety shoes, masks, etc. is required in the accomplishment of some aspects of the work. There is the potential for exposure to strong cleaning solutions, bodily fluids and communicable disease. The work can involve occupied patient rooms and interaction with both medical and psychiatric patients. May be required to work inside and outside. May require some exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals. Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
