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Summary The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Hospital Housekeeping Officer (Chief). The Chief is a member of the Medical Centers top Management staff, and is responsible for all aspects of the Environmental Management Service (EMS) Program. The Chief, EMS, reports to the Associate Director and is responsible for the planning, organization, staffing, controlling, evaluation and directing of the functions of EMS operations. Responsibilities The Chief has direct impact in the VA Medical Center (VAMC) Accident Review Board, Infection Control, Water Safety, Emergency Management, Comprehensive Environment of Care (CEOC) and Green Environment Management System (GEMS) Committees. The Chief makes decisions concerning overall resource needs, what programs/projects should be initiated, modified, or curtailed, what resources to devote to programs/projects, the distribution and redistribution of resources, and the desirability of changes in organizational structure. The Chief develops procedures for reducing operating costs without impairing overall organizational effectiveness and prepares an annual business plan to be presented to upper management. The functions of the Chief are essential for both direct patient care and efficient management of the Medical Center's resources. Incumbent must have the ability to quickly and thoroughly analyze complex situations to arrive at optimal and justifiable decisions or solutions. If these decisions may have an adverse impact on one or more parties, the Chief is called upon to make the correct decision for the Service and the VAMC, and then to implement the decision with as few negative repercussions as possible. Makes propriety of decisions on EMS actions within the framework of laws, regulations, and policies. Incumbent is directly involved in accomplishing the total mission of the VAMC and may be called upon by the Director to participate in special studies, pilot programs or activities of importance throughout the VHA. Incumbent may also be asked to assume special assignments related to other VAMCs, groups of VAMCs, or VACO. The Chief prepares, maintains, and monitors work plans for staff utilization. Incumbent revises work schedules, plans, and approves leave, monitors employee behavior, and conducts investigations for the purpose of implementing disciplinary actions as needed. In addition, the Chief sets performance standards, evaluates performance of employees in EMS, and attempts to resolve employee grievances according to the negotiated labor contract. Incumbent utilizes the Environmental Health and Safety Manager on problems for which no precedent or policy exists. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ADHOC telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Hospital Housekeeping Officer/PD93703-0 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 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, 12/29/2025. 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 GS12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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: The 0673 Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer occupational series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), that all candidates must meet in order to meet the basic qualifications of the position. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration, chemistry or biological sciences, sanitary sciences, business or public administration with course work in health care administration. Transcripts are required. or Specialized Experience(for positions above GS-5): 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 that demonstrated a knowledge of waste management, including the requirements relating to hazardous, toxic, and infectious wastes and provisions for their final disposition. Experience in interior design management. Experience that demonstrated a knowledge of pest management, including alternative methods of control and the selection and application of chemicals. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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: Applicants must possess a comprehensive understanding of environmental care and infection control, backed by one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level. This experience should encompass instructing linen staff on new procedures, materials, and methodologies to ensure compliance with VAMC laundry operation standards. Additionally, candidates should be adept at preparing project papers and staff reports, as well as delivering briefings to managers to present findings and recommendations. They are also required to participate as members of various committees, including the Accident Review Board, Infection Control, Water Safety, Emergency Management, Comprehensive Environment of Care (CEOC), and Green Environment Management System (GEMS). Furthermore, applicants must develop cleaning procedures that conform to Hospital Housekeeping Standards and monitor cleaning schedules and supply usage. They should be capable of interpreting instructions to maintain exceptional visual and bacteriological cleanliness. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Conflict Management Critical Thinking Decision Making Financial Management Organizational Awareness Performance Management 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: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying/traveling with items such as books and portable laptop. Work requires management deadline projects so work hours may be extended as the project requires. 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 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.