Summary This position is located in the Environmental Management Services (EMS) of a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The position, generally aligned under 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. The position has no formal disciplinary authority over staff in the execution of daily tasks. Responsibilities The Housekeeping Aid Lead is responsible for leading and overseeing the duties of Housekeeping Aids in the performance of housekeeping related services in the various areas of the medical center. Major duties and responsibilities will include: Is a working leader for housekeeping operations throughout the VA Medical Center(s) and performs the full range of housekeeping duties. 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. Communicates instructions from the Supervisor to the employees and then validates the completion of the work assigned. Coordinates projects with nurses and other area supervisors to ensure work timely and successful completion. Sets the pace of each task, demonstrates methods and techniques and provides direction to assigned employees in their proper usage of cleaning supplies and equipment. Ensures all tasks are complete and deadlines are met. 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. 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. Cleans 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. Uses 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. 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. Scrubs, strips, refinishes, and polishes floors by using hand operated and industrial equipment. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Menlo Park: 12:30pm-9:00pm, weekdays/weekends/holidays Palo Alto: 2:00pm-10:30pm, weekdays/weekends/holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Housekeeping Aid (Leader)/PD99913S 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. Requirements 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. 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: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Lead or Supervise Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Education Additional Information 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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.
