Laundry Worker

Summary This position is assigned to the Environmental Management Service (EMS) of the Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare System, located at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, OK. The primary purpose of the position is to provide support to EMS by receiving, sorting, and marking soiled linen, assembling and issuing clean laundry. Learn more about this agency Duties Independently verify the items in bundles against the accompanying laundry tickets both upon receipt and before return, ensuring accurate processing and record-keeping. Inspect returned uniforms and determine their usability status, filling out return forms and making judgment calls based on the condition of the items. Determine and apply the appropriate identification symbols to personal items submitted by customers, ensuring accurate and traceable processing. Verify the accurate weight of delivered laundry items and compare counts against daily Period Automatic Replacement (PAR) records to ensure inventory accuracy. Operate stamping/marking machines and press machines as required, loading individual textiles and adjusting settings based on pre-designated temperatures and items. Weigh, load, and unload laundry carts, ensuring the accurate handling and distribution of laundry items to the appropriate sections and departments Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of laundry dispensers and automated linen machines, keeping the equipment in proper working order. Follow standard laundry practices and procedures, including sorting, marking, and classifying soiled linen and inspecting clean laundry for wear and tear. Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow infection control protocols when handling soiled and clean linens. Keep the laundry area clean and organized, performing light cleaning duties and ensuring that all workspaces meet cleanliness and safety standards. Comprehend and follow both oral and written instructions, such as maintenance manuals, cleaning guidelines, and safety protocols. Communicate instructions clearly to subordinates, ensuring that all team members understand the required procedures and standards. Adapt to assignment changes and new work pressures by interpreting and implementing new guidelines or instructions provided by supervisors. Identify and differentiate between various types of textiles, such as terry cloth, microfiber, thermal blankets, and different types of gowns and scrubs. Use knowledge of stain types and textile life cycles to determine proper processing methods and the suitability of textiles for continued use. Maintain an inventory of textiles, counting incoming and outgoing items, and determining inventory accuracy through weight verification. Use hand-eye coordination to operate laundry machinery and equipment safely and effectively, preventing accidents and ensuring proper handling of textiles. Push and maneuver heavy laundry carts (up to 700 lbs) safely around the facility, avoiding strain and injury. Engage in tasks requiring physical effort such as lifting and transporting bundles or boxes of laundry, ensuring adherence to safety protocols to prevent injuries. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday (7:00am - 3:30pm) Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Worker/PD14539S Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: Most tasks require varying degrees of muscular effort and hand to eye coordination to assure safe and efficient use of equipment and supplies. Work requires frequent bending or stooping, prolonged walking, standing, working in cramped positions, and climbing. Work requires frequent lifting and moving heavy items weighing 40 to 50 pounds. Occasionally lifts objects weighing over 50 pounds. Work requires visual acuity to assure completion of tasks in acceptably clean and aseptic manner. Work requires the pushing and pulling of wheeled carts that weight up to 650 lbs. Requirements Conditions of employment 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 Subject to pre-employment physical evaluation 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. § 330.502 General restriction on movement after competitive appointment applies 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal SupervisionAbility to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)Dexterity and SafetyKnowledge of MaterialsOperation of Equipment/MachineryTechnical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) 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. Working Conditions: Incumbent generally works in a well-ventilated, air-conditioned, and well-lighted area. However, incumbent is constantly exposed to potential contamination and unclean surroundings. Many tasks require muscular effort and hand to eye coordination. Prolonged walking and standing are required. Incumbent follows predetermined work procedures but must determine independently when a job is done well. However, he/she is constantly exposed to potential contamination and unclean surroundings and must be able to understand and follow procedures. The work environment demands strong physical capabilities and the ability to focus. Must be able to work independently and under stressful conditions. Incumbent may be exposed to hazardous materials and/or diseases as part of duties. 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. Education There is no educational substitution for this position. Additional information 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.