Environmental Services Technician (EVS) Leader -Housekeeping Aid (Leader)

This Housekeeping Aid position is located within the Environmental Management Services at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC), Houston, TX. This position is under the direct supervision of the Housekeeping Supervisor or designee. This position performs both janitorial and custodial services at the MEDVAMC located in Houston, TX. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Major duties

The Environmental Services Technician (EVS) - Housekeeping Aid Leader leads Housekeeping Aids and others as assigned. The position leads three (3) or more employees in performing their duties while performing the full range of housekeeping tasks required to maintain the Medical center in a clean, organized and sanitary condition. The position is guided by EMS and Medical Center policies and procedures, VA regulations and verbal instructions from EMS Management. The leader communicates instructions from the Supervisor to the employees and then validates the completion of the work assigned. The position coordinates projects with nurses and other area supervisors to ensure work timely and successful completion. This position sets the pace of each task, demonstrates methods and techniques and provides direction to assigned employees in their proper usage is cleaning supplies and equipment. Ensures all tasks are complete and deadlines are met. These duties include, but are not limited to the following: Using proper cleaning solutions and/or chemicals to successfully remove stains from a variety of surfaces (floors, carpet, tile, walls, etc.) Applying appropriate cleaning solutions to various types of floors (linoleum, wood, or marble), walls, and ceilings to clean and maintain such surfaces. Cleaning patients' rooms using sanitizing chemicals that will not compromise patients' health to disinfect surfaces. Adhering to safety policies and procedures when performing manual work. Recognizing typical health and safety hazards for yourself and other workers around you. Using proper lifting techniques when lifting objects especially those that may be bulky and/or awkward. Handle exposure to both non-infections and infectious waste safely. Operate battery powered equipment, move furniture and set up ladders or other heavy equipment as required. Sweeping and mopping floors repetitively in high traffic areas such corridors, restrooms, stairways, entryways, cafeterias and other areas. Ensures the accomplishment of assigned work operations per oral and written instructions of supervisor, policies, procedures, regulations and schedules. Follow instructions, policy and procedures. Using proper lifting techniques when lifting objects especially those that may be bulky and/ or awkward. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - (6:00am - 2:30pm / 7:00am-3:30pm /8:00am-4:30pm / 2:30pm-11:00pm / 3:30pm-12:00am) (subject to change based on the needs of the service). Position Description Title/PD#: Environmental Services Technician (EVS) Leader -Housekeeping Aid (Leader)/PD03674A Physical Requirements: The position demands continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling, and pushing. The work requires the occasional use of heavy powered cleaning equipment (e.g., wall washers, industrial type buffers) weighing over 50 pounds. The duties necessitate considerable dexterity, hand, foot, and eye coordination, and concentration as well as visual acuity to see dirt, dust and debris.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/12/2026. 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Lead or Supervise 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.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation 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 Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.