Summary This position serves as the Hospital Housekeeping Officer, as the Chief Environmental Management Service (EMS), and works under the general administrative supervision of the Medical Center's Associate Director and is responsible for implementing and managing the EMS activities within the Medical Center. This position will be located at VA Hudson Valley Health Care System. Selected candidate will be traveling between 2 medical centers Montrose and Castle Point, and 7 Community Outpatient Clinics. Responsibilities The incumbent is regarded as the technical authority within the VA HVHCS on assigned core sanitation, consolidated laundry, textile management, grounds keeping, landscaping, and waste management programs. The incumbent is the direct supervisor to a GS-12 Hospital Housekeeping Officer, and one program support staff at GS-7 grade. Work is reviewed based upon results obtained in supporting the VA HVHCS' mission and meeting specific program goals and objectives. Must possess the analytical appropriate standards and makes decisions on corrective action where indicated. Also required is knowledge of pertinent regulations and policies as they apply to the duties of the position and to the functions of the housekeeping program areas. Management decision making at this level presupposes an understanding of a wide range of variables leading not only to a decision but to effective implementation. Included are The Joint Commission (TJC) Hospitals and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rulings, and expert and up-to- date knowledge of all state and federal control regulations concerning product acceptance, application and dangers. Must have an up-to-date knowledge of products, equipment, and development within the Environmental Management field, especially with concerns to infection control. Serves as an ad hoc member and resource person for a myriad of special projects and remodeling efforts. He/she must have a working knowledge of all aspects of hospital administration, including the many areas in which the operation of two campuses and seven outpatient clinics healthcare system affects the interrelationships with the serviced community. The work involves the analysis of complex, interrelated, and multi-faceted issues. Options, recommendations, and conclusions consider and give weight to uncertainties about scheduling and other variables which affect long range program performance. Give considerable attention to human resource management, by continually analyzing the effective utilization of personnel costs to Environmental Management programs. Allocates available manpower resources to meet changing workload demands and clinical service requirements. Responsible for the efficient, effective, and economical assignment of staffing to provide adequate administrative support during regular and irregular tours of duty as staff works all shifts (24 hours day/7days a week). Also, responsible for all equipment used by the staff of the service in the day-to-day operations. Oversees services provided through contractors. Services covered by contract may include but not limited to integrated pest management, laundry/linen services, document shredding, waste management, landscaping, grounds management, and window washing services. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging needed development and training. Approves leave and initiates incentive awards. Monitors and analyzes both production efficiency and organizational structure in order to implement and or recommend process and organizational changes. Delegated responsibility and authority to plan, schedule, and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of programs and organizational effectiveness. The EMS Chief has full and final responsibility and authority for interviewing and selecting applicants for appointment and promotion, evaluating their performance, maintaining discipline, orientation, and training in compliance with VA regulations pertaining to employment, EEO and union/management relations. Participates in the annual budget estimate for the operation of these activities. Serves as the Textile Compliance Officer (TCO) and is required to complete and maintain CLLM training in accordance with VHA Directive 1850.03. Serves as Pest Control Officer and must maintain any required training/certifications. Regarded as the technical authority on core sanitation, laundry, waste management, grounds/maintenance, and interior design programs. It is essential that the individual in this position have the skills and be capable of building interdisciplinary teams by empowering teams with authority, responsibility, and accountability to achieve maximum success. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Hospital Housekeeping Officer/PD11304O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/13/2024. 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements: Education: 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: Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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. To qualify for this position, you must also meet the specialized experience as outline below: 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: ability to make analytical and effective decisions, ability to carry out major projects in relation to the evaluation of organizational effectiveness, ability to oversee contractors as well as full and direct supervision of employees, ability to coordinate effective staffing assignments, ability to establish policies aligned with the mission, ability to analyze complex multi-faceted issues, and must have a working knowledge of all aspects of hospital administration. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Budget Administration Knowledge Management Leadership Strategic Thinking 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. 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 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 will not be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.