Summary Hazardous Waste Disposer is unique to the healthcare sector and presents several compliance challenges. Unlike many regulations that apply to healthcare, most regulations governing medical waste are defined at a state, rather than a federal level. OSHA Regulations. OSHA, whether it is the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration or an OSHA state program (24 states operate their own program), regulates several aspects of medical waste including managing sharps, etc. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited too: Identifies waste and ensures segregation of hazardous waste is happening at the point of generation. Removes and replaces hazardous waste (pathology and anatomy waste, blood specimens from clinics and laboratories, blood products, and other body fluid specimens) containers from the point of accumulation. The incumbent is required to push or pull non-motorized equipment (e.g., plastic carts, tipsters, etc.) weighing over50 pounds. Escalates any pharmaceutical, or hazardous waste that have been improperly disposed of within hazardous waste containers. Safe pick up of all regulated medical waste and materials from service sites including: Bio-Hazardous Waste, Trace Chemotherapy Waste, Pharmaceutical Waste, Pathology Waste, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Waste. Knowledgeable of OSHA, RCRA, HIPA, and Local safety regulations and protocols for transporting hazardous waste from various Satellite Accumulation Areas to the proper central storage areas. Adheres to all safety precautions, hazardous waste standards and compliance when handling, and transporting hazardous waste. Functions as the internal expert on regulated medical waste. Follows safety procedures when handling hazardous waste that is contaminated with radioactive materials and ensures detector are operating correctly. Maintains a clean work area to minimize risk of infection, pests, odors, and debris. Properly labels hazardous waste containers and ensure hazardous waste does not get mixed with sanitary waste. Cleans containers routinely to minimize risk of infection, pests and odors. Ensures satellite storage areas, and central storage areas do not become overfilled and remain clean. Inspects hazardous waste containers, Satellite Storage Areas, and Central Storage Areas and cleans routinely to minimize risk of infection, pests and odors. Proactively works with the clinical staff to remediate compliance concerns. The incumbent plays a vital role in protecting the hospital system environment and our community and in minimizing the impact of waste disposal and an awareness compliance. Work Schedule: 6:00A-2:30P Monday-Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Hazardous Waste Disposer/PD604740 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 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) 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, 02/12/2026. Preferred Experience: Proper handling of Bio-Hazard, Housekeeping, Sani Pak experience 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) 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/Working Conditions: Physical Requirements: The incumbent is required to push or pull non-motorized equipment (e.g., plastic carts, tipsters, etc.) weighing over 50 pounds. Frequently the incumbent performs this task in full personal protective equipment. The incumbent will walk extensively, sit a little and stand for periods. Carrying boxes, bags, bottles, and other supplies weighing between 10 pounds to 35 pounds daily is required. Working Conditions: The incumbent works in an inside and outside environment year-round in the ambient air temperature and moving back and forth between conditioned space and the ambient air conditions (spring, summer, fall, winter). The San-i-Pak autoclave produces temperatures above 205 degrees Fahrenheit each cycle and the incumbent will be present during all key moments of the autoclave operations. The area around employee is hazardous and the incumbent manages hazardous material daily. Education Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.
