The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The Hospital Housekeeping Program Specialist assists the Manager of EMS and will prepare and present information briefings on results of studies and/or draft memos on assigned subjects. The position is located at the Lexington VA Medical Center.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/08/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for occupational series 0673: This occupation has individual occupation requirements, you must have one of the following: Undergraduate Education: Major study -- chemistry or biological sciences, sanitary science or administration, institutional sanitation or administration, hospital administration, hotel administration, public administration, business administration, or other fields related to the position. Graduate Education: Major study -- public health or business administration with emphasis in hospital administration. OR Specialized Experience: In two or more of the following areas, or other work related to the position to be filled: Experience that demonstrated a practical working knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, biology, and bacteriology as applied to environmental sanitation, infection control, and to the choice and use of antimicrobial agents in the disinfection, sanitization, and/or sterilization of surfaces and equipment. Experience in laundry and linen management. Experience in interior design management. Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of waste management, including the requirements relating to hazardous, toxic, and infectious wastes and provisions for their final disposition. Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of pest management, including alternative methods of control and the selection and application of chemicals. Grade Determination GS-09 You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (1) Knowledge of advanced functions and a working knowledge of hospital sanitation programs within the hospital in the areas of, environmental sanitation; soiled linen operations; and laundry operations. (2) possess the analytical ability to research, assemble, and compile information and data, evaluate the results against appropriate standards, and makes decisions on corrective action where indicated. (3) Ability to plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work. (4) Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. (5) Develops performance standards and evaluates work performance of subordinates. (6) Give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. (7) Interviews candidates for positions in the unit and recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignments to such positions. (8) Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager. (9) Effect minor disciplinary measures such as; warnings, reprimands, and recommending other actions in more serious cases. Identify developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond one full year of graduate level education, superior academic achievement, or master's or equivalent degree may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9. GS-11 You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Directing a hospital housekeeping management program which includes policy making, planning, and managing all aspects of an environmental management program. (1) Knowledge of advanced functions and a working knowledge of hospital sanitation programs within the hospital in the areas of, environmental sanitation; soiled linen operations; and laundry operations. (2) possess the analytical ability to research, assemble, and compile information and data, evaluate the results against appropriate standards, and makes decisions on corrective action where indicated. (3) Ability to plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work. (4) Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. (5) Develops performance standards and evaluates work performance of subordinates. (6) Give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. (7) Interviews candidates for positions in the unit and recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignments to such positions. (8) Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager. (9) Effect minor disciplinary measures such as; warnings, reprimands, and recommending other actions in more serious cases. Identify developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. . OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond two full years of progressively higher level education leading to such or degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-11. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Budget Administration Leadership Planning and Evaluating Quality Management
The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Administrative: Performs technical, administrative, or professional work involving managing, administering operating or supporting services and programs related to the operation and safety of Federal facilities. Planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating the entire program to include budgetary control and assessments. Develops and applies a program of management Review appraisal and improvement. Provides formal and on-the-job training. Develops, coordinates, directs, and manages a hospital housekeeping program that emphasizes the maintenance of environmental sanitation within acceptable levels of bacteriological as well as visual cleanliness. Establishes work assignments for front line employees and supervisors. Implements, coordinates and controls a comprehensive program with the authority to make necessary changes needed for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors. Medical Center Sanitation: Develops cleaning procedures, frequency of cleaning schedules, and cleaning supply usage instructions designed to maintain high quality visual and bacteriological cleanliness of all medical center floors, walls, ceilings, bathroom fixture3s, furniture, housekeeping equipment, window treatments, cubicle curtains, light fixtures stairwells, waste cans, and other miscellaneous area and items. Conducts a extensive in-service Sanitation Inspection Program covering the entire medical center; initiating and closely monitoring bacteriological surveillance being conducted throughout the Medical Center. Conducts constant testing programs designed to perfect hospital housekeeping techniques, procedures and products. Develops and maintains procedures for waste collection within the medical center and constantly monitoring procedures, methods for waste collection within the medical center and consistently monitoring procedures. Pest Control: Develops specifications, treatment areas, and frequency of treatment schedules, interpret local, state and federal directive and guidelines regarding the type, use and storage of various pesticides and rodenticides and ensure compliance. Serves as the Contracting Officer's Representative for the administration of Pest Control Services to include the control of all rodents and pests from the interior of the Medical Center. Uniforms/Patient Effects: Oversees the administration of ordering and distributing uniforms for selected personnel. Ensures that appropriate procedures are followed to minimize loss and repair of uniforms. Ensures that a system is in place for pick up, cataloging, and reissuing of patient valuables to patients. Ensures that employees adhere to privacy and security guidelines with respect to patient valuables. Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-3:30PM Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Position Description Title/PD#: Hospital Housekeeping Program Specialist (TCF Trainee)/PDS0009A and PDS008A