Summary Position is responsible for the collection and preparation of Hazardous Waste, Regulated Medical Waste (RMW), Universal Waste, recycling, and solid waste for proper disposal in accordance with regulatory and legislative environmental requirements to include Veteran Health Administration (VHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Washington Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and local regulations at the VA Portland Health Care System. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities include: Works independently and acts as the Waste Management Material Handler collecting, processing, packaging, and preparing solid waste/hazardous waste/RMW waste for temporary storage and disposal. Provides guidance on the proper standard operating procedures for the management, handling, storage, and disposal of regulated hazardous wastes and substances under the strict control of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 1976; and subsequent amendment established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 40 CFR Part 265 Interim Status Standards For Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities. He/she must evaluate and make initial identification and assessments of routine hazardous wastes to determine their nature (e.g., flammability, toxicity), and containment characteristics (e.g., repercussions of long-term storage). He/she must evaluate every solid waste to determine if it is a solid hazardous waste under RCRA and must determine all applicable waste codes and underlying constituents. He/she must determine if it is exempt using regulations, knowledge of Process, and Analysis to make hazardous waste determinations. He/she determines if F, K, P, or U-listed waste, and determines if wastes are characteristic (i.e. Ignitability, Corrosiveness, Reactivity, and Toxicity). The incumbent documents all waste collected and weights. He/she collects waste as needed through observation, Sanitation Request or phone notification ensuring that all items transported and/or stored have proper waste identification labels. He/she verifies that all waste is properly packaged and containerized; identification labels include the shop of origin number, waste information, dates, categories, and @type of waste. Corrects incomplete or improper labels and ensure hazardous wastes are properly stored. He/she performs specialized and nonstandard processing and disposing procedures. He/she may be required to repack, consolidate, and/or blend hazardous wastes into proper containers for containment and shipment. He/she manages container/drum usage, labeling, and storage. Ensures all RMW and hazardous waste materials shall be disposed of in containers that accept the chemical without degradation effects. He/she operates manual and power lifting devices, compactors, cardboard bailers, and motor vehicles to pick up, transport, and temporarily store industrial waste and other @types of hazardous waste. He/she performs safety and operational checks on inventories of all waste handling equipment such as pumps, mixing tanks, and automatic sampling devices. He/she will be required to assist in the containment, treatment, and cleanup operations resulting from hazardous spills. He/she operates computer terminals to access databases for processing, storing, and shipping requirements. He/she properly maintains manifests, catalogs, and accounts for all hazardous, and non-hazardous waste streams for shipment and disposal. Develops and implements appropriate controls for safeguarding program materials and assuring the integrity of material custody. Performs weekly inspections of the Waste Storage locations to ensure proper containment and physical separation of incompatible wastes. He/she serves as the Recycling Coordinator for location assigned, handling day-to day coordination of the recycling program. The incumbent has three primary functions: Provision of recycling services and operations to all areas of the facility; Reduction in the overall costs related to solid waste disposal through recycling. Responsible for adhering to the Medical Center's Waste Management and Recycling Programs and the required compliance reporting. The collection, removal, and control of all recyclables and wastes generated in the health care facility are essential for ensuring a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and odor-free environment. Work Schedule: Various tours available based on management needs from Monday to Friday 7:00am-3:30pm or Monday to Thursday 1:00pm-11:30pm, or Friday to Monday 3:00pm-1:30 am. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: As listed above. Position Description Title/PD#: Materials Handler (Waste Management)/PD21598A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. 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, 09/26/2025. 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, Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Examples include: Performs warehouse work to include receiving, storing, selecting, and shipping of general or specialized bulk, bin materials and equipment; Prepares shipping and inventory documents with data needed for manual/automated inventory systems; Verifies correctness of shipment prior to completing receiving process; Handles delivering and warehousing materials including hazardous, flammable and temperature sensitive products. 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 eligible are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Without more than normal supervision 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: He/she performs work that requires kneeling, bending, stooping, climbing, and standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time. He/she uses hand-trucks and other @types of material handling equipment to move, load, and unload large drums and various size containers from trucks and containment areas. Frequently lifts, moves, carries, and load items and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds. He/she is sometimes required to lift and move items weighing in excess of 50 pounds with the help of weight handling equipment and/or with the assistance of other workers. Working Conditions: He/she is frequently exposed to a variety of hazards, ranging from noxious gasses, fumes, chemical vapors, skin irritants, biological hazardous, and caustic and poisonous items in the collection, treatment, and/or containment of hazardous wastes. In some work situations, he/she may have limited exposure to low levels of radioactivity. He/she works in facilities that are usually well lighted, heated, and ventilated. They also work outside and may be exposed to all kinds of extreme weather conditions while performing their assignments. The work may be dirty and greasy, and exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises, abrasions, and falls during collection and processing operations. Incumbents must follow specific safety procedures and use the appropriate safety equipment including respirators, face shields, safety glasses, protective clothing, gloves, boots, etc. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or gear may be required and must be worn when conducting mixing or transferring of waste. 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.
