The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

Duties

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. As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program. Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA. 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. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The person in this position assists the Manager of Environmental Management Service (EMS) with the following duties: Planning, directing, and provisioning of housekeeping services for the hospital facility. Determining short and long-range goals as well as intermediate program goals and policies. Developing and implementing organizational structures and operating plans and procedures to achieve program goals, monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of operations within the established framework. Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employee. Developing performance standards, evaluating work performance, and identifying developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. Monitoring and analyzing both production efficiency and organizational structure in order to implement and recommend process and organizational changes. Participating in resolving a wide variety of environmental hospital problems in every part of the physical plant which includes being involved in short and long-range hospital planning, establishment of overall hospital policy, budgeting, and program balance. Serving as the Facilities Management Service top advisor on problems connected with health care environmental. Coordinating, controlling, and directing housekeeping program operations. Providing advisory services to all levels of management and hospital departments regarding the requirements and resolution of substantive housekeeping problems and services. Developing and implementing standards for cleanliness and sanitation. Making continuous inspections of the medical center to monitor housekeeping techniques, procedures, products, and adherence to infection control standards. Consulting with the pest controller to learn all aspects of the medical center integrated pest management plan. Learning and implementing a full waste management plan to ensure compliance with hazardous/medical waste disposal and storage regulations. Performing other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position at the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Hospital Housekeeping Program Specialist - Technical Career Field Trainee position at a developmental level, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience at this level includes serving as a work group leader in all aspects of a hospital/healthcare housekeeping program, evaluating performance of subordinates, planning work to be accomplished, etc.; and ability to communicate with individuals with varying levels of understand both orally and in writing. Specialized Experience must include experience in two or more of the following areas, or other work related to the position to be filled:(Important: Please make sure your resume clearly indicates your areas of specialized experience and sufficient detail is provided. We cannot make assumptions regarding your experience). 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. ~OR~ Education: A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in public health or business administration with emphasis in hospital administration or LL. B. or J.D, if related. NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study; if that number cannot be obtained from the transcript, 18 semester hours will be considered as one full academic year of graduate study. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationsInfection ControlLeadershipManages and Organizes Information 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. 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

IMPORTANT: 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/.

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]