Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC), in Facility Management Service. Incumbent serves as Laundry Machine Operator.
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Responsibilities

Ability to unload washed linen items from washer-extractor machines and transports linens either to the flatwork ironer in carts or to the dryers in carts. Sets temperature, drying time, cool down time, reverse/non-reverse switch, and normal/permanent press switch on dryers. Transports dried items to finishing area using carts.

Ability to clean dryer equipment and work area on a daily basis performing tasks such as emptying lint collectors, sweeping, and dusting with compressed air and dust mops.

Performs other laundry worker tasks when washer-extractor and dryers do not need attention. Such tasks include feeding flat work linen to the ironer, hand folding linen, operation of the small piece folder, sorting soiled linen, linen distribution, or drives truck to deliver clean linen and pick up soiled linen.

Must be thoroughly familiar with the technical/operational elements of the gas fired dryers, included required drying times, and cool-down times for a variety of different linen and garments. The incumbent must know location of emergency gas cut-off switches, safe drier operating procedures, and controls required to safely unload washer/extractors.

Must have general knowledge of how to load, program, and operate washer/extractors, including linen washing categories, washer load weights, use of established wash formulas, and manual washing procedures for specialty items.

Ability to coordinate work with other personnel to determine categories of items in wash process, and plan ahead to sequence drying of items to assure an even or balanced flow of work in machine folding and hand folding finishing areas.

Ability to recognize and remove unsatisfactory washed or damaged items from processing when noticed.

Ability to understand written procedures, directives and instructions as well as oral instructions. Position is under the general supervision of the Textile Care Supervisor. Must be able to carry out assignments with minimal supervision.

Ability to complete heavy physical tasks for long periods, which will require walking, standing, lifting, pulling, and pushing heavy loads to satisfactorily accomplish his/her duties. Subject to exposure to lint, dust, extreme heat, humidity, and noise generated by equipment. Required to frequently lift bundles weighing over 50 pounds.

Must be safety conscious. Exercising caution when working around machinery and slippery floors, and must follow safe work practices in all tasks accomplished. Must observe established Medical Center policies on safety and infection control and carefully handle materials, tools, and other equipment to avoid creating hazards or injury to others. Maintains a safe and clean work environment.

Other duties as required.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:45am-3:30pm, or to meet the needs of the facility
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not applicable
Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Mach Operator/PD019800
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/01/2021.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards .

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Follow Directions
• Handle Weights and Loads
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Operation of Equipment/Machinery
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Work Practices

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: Continued standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, heavy pulling, and heavy lifting is required to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. Very heavy physical effort is required to pull wet, tangled linen out of the washer extractors for processing in the flatwork or drying areas.

Working Conditions: Will be required to do heavy physical tasks for long periods, which will require walking, standing, lifting, pulling, and pushing heavy loads to satisfactorily accomplish his/her duties. Subject to exposure to lint, dust, extreme heat, humidity, and noise generated by equipment.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Financial disclosure not required.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), or CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action