These positions are in Environmental Management Services (EMS) at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia. The Laundry Machine Operator operates laundry machines used for a variety of special purposes, including industrial washer/extractors and dryer machines, automated linen folding machines, commercial steam pressers, and sheet spreaders.
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Physical Effort Incumbent must be able to lift and carry fifty (50) pounds. Must be able to stand and walk consistently, perform light to moderate bending and stooping, and be able to wear the required PPE for extended periods of time as dictated by the work setting. Some heavy movement of laundry carts weighing up to 700 pounds and use of conveyors are required. During normal day to day operations, individual will be required to perform simple grasping and fine hand manipulation, reaching above shoulder height and frequent stooping, bending, twisting and kneeling. Position routinely requires operating of vehicles, electrical equipment, push or pull soiled and clean laundry carts in and out of laundry truck, to and from loading docks to various locations within the TCPF and medical center. Working Conditions Work is normally performed inside where there is ample light, heat and/or ventilation. Temperatures vary from hot in the summer to cold in the winter when moving carts into the TCPF. Incumbent is exposed to operational noises associated with an industrial laundry and may be required to use hearing protection if occupational exposure exceeds acceptable occupational exposure thresholds. Incumbent is intermittently exposed to excess humidity, chemicals and solvents, fumes, dust and noise. Individual is exposed to possible contagions from the handling of contaminated linens in performance of emptying laundry bags and sorting soiled linen. Potential exists for sharps exposure in soiled linen. Incumbent is subject to cuts, scrapes, bumps, bruises, slips, falls and other injuries, and to disagreeable odors in the performance of required duties. 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: Dexterity and Safety Materials Operation of Equipment/Machinery Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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.
Major duties and responsibilities include: Operating laundry machines, loading the washer/extractors by use of the overhead rail system and documenting the pounds being processed according to the type of linen. Sorting and loading washing and drying machines based on capacity of equipment, type of laundry treatment required and type of fabric. Starching and treating articles with water repellent and flame retardant. Performing work in accordance with established aseptic techniques for handling soiled and contaminated linens. Cleaning washroom area, including vacuuming, scrub down, dusting, washing windows, carts machines, etc. Deciding priority or order of textiles to wash based on need of facility, which is done daily; Deciding which of the four washers to use for each textile based on priority and wash formula. Replenishing linen carts with the correct number and type of textiles. Delivering carts to the assigned areas, while maintaining cart cleanliness standards. Assisting with the facility-wide annual linen inventory by collecting, sorting, counting, recording and reporting on-hand amounts to the Supervisor. Assisting in the initial issue of employee uniforms. Lifting and carrying fifty (50) pounds. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time 7:00am-3:30pm, 3:00pm-11:00pm, 11:00pm-7:00am. Shift to be discussed at interview Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved