Summary The Laundry Machine Operator Leader serves as a lead machine operator, responsible for the daily start-up, operation, and shut-down of industrial laundry equipment. The Laundry Machine Operator Leader oversees wash and dry cycles, selects appropriate formulas, performs quality checks, maintains equipment, and ensures safe and efficient workflow. This position is located with the St Cloud VA Medical Center in St Cloud, MN. Responsibilities Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Starts up all textile care equipment each day and shuts down all textile care equipment at the end of each day. Operates five (5) washers/extractors (100-600 lbs), usually running simultaneously to process various textile categories. Programs and selects microprocessors for different textile classifications. Chooses proper wash programs based on linen classification and degree of soiling, using specialty chemicals to remove stains. Submits written records of work productivity, chemical usage, and incoming weights for reporting purposes. Trains machine operators on correct washer/extractor operation, washing formulas, and chemical use. Makes minor equipment adjustments as authorized by the Textile Care Supervisor. Operates commercial dryers/tumblers (100, 200, and 400 lbs) and garment finishers, including loading and unloading. Rotates through various work sites in the textile care facility during the shift to meet workload demands. Waxes all machines yearly using the proper product. Ensures conveyor belts are intact and properly adjusted. Provides written start-up and shut-down instructions for other machine operators to use in their absence. Checks work in progress to ensure production needs are met and proper procedures are followed. Monitors machine operations continuously and reports malfunctions to the supervisor. Ensures employees observe and follow safety rules and regulations. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, Compressed Schedule , 10 hour days, 4 days a week Monday and Thursday 6:00 am - 4:30 pm, Tuesday - Friday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved 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 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation 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 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 (SCREEN-OUT) You must have the ability to lead employees and the work of the Laundry Machine Operator Leader without more than normal supervision. Examples of experience include leading coworkers and subordinates; following written and verbal instructions; demonstrating proper techniques, procedures and safe practices; reviewing assignments and workload; and utilizing knowledge of equipment capabilities such as @types of wash cycles, drying tumblers, various fabrics, wash formulas, temperatures and washing time. (Resume(s) must clearly demonstrate this experience. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Incumbent must stand and/or walk continuously on hard surfaced floors. Is continually bending and reaching-when performing duties, frequently lifting linens weighing in excess of 50 pounds. Incumbent occasionally lifts bags of linens weighing between 50 and 75 pounds. Incumbent continually handles bulk cartons of considerable size weighing up to 50 pounds. Strength and stamina are necessary to perform the usual daily tasks for long periods of time. Incumbent will pull wet, compacted laundry from washers/extractors and push and pull heavily loaded carts, etc. Incumbent is exposed to disagreeable odors and possibly infectious organisms from soiled linens, patient clothing, and employee uniform, These conditions are separated from the clean processing and production of the textile care work force by a staph barrier wall. Incumbent is exposed to noise and hot and humid conditions; Incumbent is exposed to possibility of cuts and bruises from carts and machinery and minor burns from the presence of steam pipes and the flatwork-ironer. Incumbent may be subjected to inclement weather while performing the duties of the position. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Lead or Supervise Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Education Additional Information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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.
