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Summary The Marion, IL VAMC is accepting applications for a Hospital Housekeeping Officer to serve as Chief, Environmental Management Service (EMS). This is a major managerial position and operates under the full delegated authority of the Director and Associate Director. Incumbent will serve as a key member of the Medical Center management team, integrating the EMS program with overall management goals. Serves as the staff consultant on all matters within the purview of agency-wide EMS policies. Responsibilities Major Duties: The incumbent holds a major managerial position at this station and operates under the full delegated authority of the Director and Associate Director. The incumbent participates as a key member of the Medical Center management team, integrating the EMS program with overall management goals. The incumbent is the staff consultant on all matters within the purview of agency-wide EMS policies. The incumbent has full responsibility and accountability for the planning, direction, contml. coordination, operation and evaluation of all station EMS functions. Incumbent functions as the Environmental Programs Manager for the Marion, IL VA Medical Center with full responsibility for environmental care and linen activities, consisting of environmental sanitation, waste management, pest management, linen, and unifom, services, and other related functions. Incumbent is required to perfom, the full range of duties to include training subordinates. conducting time/motion studies, and accomplishing routine reassignment of a fixed staff with unusual workload. Adaptability and flexlbllity are essential in this position. Incumbent must be accurate in re,ports and operational details relating to this position so that the Facilities Program Director may rely with conrrdence on the information provided. Incumbent must be knowledgeable of the policies of Environmental Management Services to affectively anticipate the needs of the medical center and is able to perform independently within the scope of policies and giuidelines set forth by the healthcare facility. Incumbent must have ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all levels of personnel. Sufficient academic and for administrative training must have been acquired to underatand complex and written instructions. policies, environmental laws, and regulations, e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs (OVA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), etc. Incumbent must exercise a high degree of judgement in planning qualify control measures, work schedules, production standards. and cleaning frequencies for the health care facility. Planning, organizing, scheduling, and evaluating the program of compressive environmental adivlties at this facility to achieve compliance with the laws and regulations governing this program. Budget formulation. planning of staffing resources and the determination of supplies and equipment required for environmental care functions. Interviewing prospective employees and recommending approval or disapproval of appointments. Supervising on-the-job training and assisting in formal instructions of employees and supervisors in subject matters such as procedures. techniques, equipment and supply usage. Conducting appraisals of the performance of personnel, approving reassignments, promotions, and perfonnance awards; monitoring the counseling of employees; adjusting complaints and/or grievancea); and initiating or recommending disciplinary action as necessary within delegated authority. Approving leave schedules of section foremen to ensure proper and adequate coverage of the division's functional responsibilities. Coordinating schedules of the various tours of duty of the overall requirements of the division. Communicating with section foremen in a manner to ensure duties and responsibilities are assigned and performed effectively and in a manner consistent with to established Qualify Improvement recommendations to maintain an aceeptable degree of environmental sanitation, waste management, and past management. Conducting and/or supervising special tasks, projects, and studies as assigned, analyzing date to determine the most efficient operation, Conducting comprehensive quality control inspections of areas of responibility and ensuring correction of deficiencies on a timely basis. Researching healthcare and environmental initiatives. and revising the environment care policies and practices to reflect -state of the art improvements. Compliance with JCAHO standards. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 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 Individual Occupation Requirement: A. 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. Transcript required. B. Graduate education: Major study -- public health or business administration with emphasis in hospital administration. Transcript required. OR C. Experience in two or more of the following areas, or other work related to the position to be filled (must be reflected on your resume): 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. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Ensuring infectious waste will be identified and autoclaved in accordance with federal, state and local law prior to disposal, along with ensuring antineoplastic and radiological waste being collected and disposed in a safe manner in accordance with specific governmental regulations. Determining long-range, intermediate and short-range program goals and policies independently and/or jointly with top management. Experience planning, organizing, staffing, controlling, evaluating and directing the functions of a total EMS operation. Development and maintenance of standards for cleanliness and sanitation, frequency of cleaning methods, procedures and necessary supplies and safety precautions. Experience with pest management plan - having knowledge of the chemical properties and safe handling of pesticides. Experience with purchasing, issuing, replacing, and processing uniforms, this includes the collection of soiled safety apparel and processing of all special-purpose clothing. 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: Although many of the incumbent's duties are sedentary in nature, staff meetings, environmental rounds, conducting training sessions, inspections and supervisory duties require climbing, stooping, kneeling, crawling and reaching. The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing or moving about in an instructional environment or walking, with some recurring stretching, reaching, or similar activities; and carrying or lifting of books, paper, binders, laptop computers, manuals, etc. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through [insert date]. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. Receiving Service Credit or 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.