Summary The Director, Environmental Management Service (EMS) is a responsible partner to the executive leadership team sharing in the responsibility of providing a safe, sanitary, aesthetically appealing environment at the Sioux Falls VA Health Center. The Incumbent holds complete responsibility for all programs of the EMS appropriate to the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System and the Regional Office Center. * A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for this position.* Responsibilities The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties: The Incumbent holds complete responsibility for all programs of the Environmental Management Service (EMS) appropriate to the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System and the Regional Office Center (SFVAHCS&ROC). Full management functions of planning, organizing, structuring, staffing, directing, controlling, and evaluation for all programs that fall under the Environmental Management Service. Develops and administers a formal, systematic internal review plan for reviewing and appraising the effectiveness of each phase of EMS activities. Analyzes and reports findings to management. Incumbent is an integral member of the Environment of Care Rounds throughout the medical facility, reporting and directing the follow up of EMS issues to ensure timely correction of any identified deficiencies. Provides technical advice to senior leadership as the medical facility's sanitation expert. Develops standards for the handling of toxic, radioactive, and highly contagious bio-hazardous waste to assure the facility complies with local, state, and federal regulations. Responsible for establishing standards and criteria for environmental sanitation that are fitted to the particular needs and problems of the medical facility, clinic and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Develops technical procedures and standards that create and preserve a clean, sanitary, and aesthetic environment for patient and staff. Provides specialized training concerning the handling of contaminated and noncontaminated linen and waste, as well as the use and upkeep of EMS equipment to ensure adherence to established standards, procedures, and instructions. Develops and administers a formal, systematic internal review plan for reviewing and appraising the effectiveness of each phase of EMS activities. Plans for and directs the provision of housekeeping services for the hospital facility. Determines long- range, intermediate, and short-range program goals, and policies. Develops and implements organizational structures and operating plans and procedures to achieve program goals, monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of operations within the established framework. Coordinates program efforts with other internal activities, and program management officials at the headquarters level. Serves as the advisor and consultant to the executive leadership and is responsible for implementing and maintaining a sound environmental sanitation program, an effectual Interior Design plan, responsive minor maintenance program of the buildings, a cost-efficient uniform operation, waste management, integrated pest management, and recycling programs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: This position is not eligible for Telework. Position Description/PD#: Hospital Housekeeping Officer/PD804280 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be 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 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, 01/29/2024. 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 as described below: 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. Experience in two or more of the following areas, or other work related to the position to be filled is required: 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., AND Specialized experience for this grade level in addition to the above, is further defined as: assisting in the selection and hiring, training, promotion, and overall leadership and management of an Environmental Management Service; identify ways to resolve problems or cope with issues that directly affect the accomplishment of principal program goals and objectives; responsible for the implementation and management of the EMS budget; plan, coordinate, and direct short and long-range operating activities; ensure facility compliance within area of responsibility with EPA, OSHA, JCAHO, and other regulatory entities; make decisions and actions that have substantial impact on program objectives, goals, funding, scheduling, organizational structure and allocation of resources; Responsible for collaborating with the Chief in the management of the Medical Center's Waste Management Program and the required compliance reporting; serve as Assistant Textile Care Officer and is responsible for active participation in the management of the technical aspects of linen operations. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Lead or Supervise Plan and organize work Quality Assurance Technical 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: 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 There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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/. This job opportunity announcement may 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.