Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

This is an Open Continuous announcement until December 31, 2026. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain on file through December 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed and referred as vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until vacancies are filled.

Laundry workers operate Ironers, folders, feeders, conveyor belts, cart washers and other equipment that is used in the processing of the linens and also utilizes pallet jacks fork-lifts, cart tugs and other linen handling equipment to enable ease of linen transportation and
distribution on an as-needed-basis. Position requires closely observing quality of work to ensure all finished products are acceptable, removing stained, torn or unacceptable linens to be salvaged or reprocessed. Position requires a combination of shaking, pulling, inserting,
hanging, folding and stacking functions throughout the day. Position requires counting and sorting linens for distribution paying close attention to accuracy for optimal service quality levels. Responsible for ensuring all areas of the laundry/linen areas are kept clean and safe to avoid hazards. Will be responsible for keeping all equipment used in the performance of their duties, free from any hazards and report any safety concerns to the supervisor. May be used to perform other duties associated with the distribution of the linen process and providing a clean and sanitary environment by performing cleaning tasks.

Laundry Worker major duties consist of but not limited to:

• Receiving incoming supplies of clean linens from the laundry, unloading it from truck and transport carts, sorting it for further movement or storage if not immediately needed.
• Loading linen carts with specified quantities of the various types of linens for distribution towards clinics, wards and other hospital activities.
• Distributing linens, placing the required quantities of linens in nurse servers, cabinets, linen closets on shelves and on backup carts. As part of this distribution task, must rotate the stock of linen and straighten stocks so as to present a neat appearance. Clean nurse servers, cabinets, linen closets, shelves and carts to prevent contamination of linens.
• Picks up soiled linen and delivers it by cart to the soiled linen storage room.
• Loads soiled linen into transport carts and loads transport carts on truck for movement to laundry. Assures that carts are loaded on the truck in specified sequence to facilitate operations at laundry.
• Helps maintain the areas assigned to the linen section in a clean, neat and orderly manner to include vacuum, dust, sweep, scrub shelves, work surfaces, floors, ceilings and equipment.
• Occasionally issues and receives employee uniforms, mark items of linen and uniforms and patch linen using a heat patch machine.
• Sort soiled linen into like item containers in preparation for washing.
• Understand Infection Control measures are to be maintained between soil side operations and clean textiles and use proper aseptic techniques including proper hand hygiene.
• Open new linen as directed to help maintain par levels of linen for all customers.
• Has complete operating knowledge and skill to operate processing equipment at or above industry standards. Textile processing equipment includes spreader/feeders/ironer/folders, stackers and conveyors, both small and large piece folders.
• Must be able to understand and apply verbal and written instructions pertaining to all phases of textile processing techniques, including the ability to communicate professionally with all laundry workers and supervisors to ensure efficient linen flow on the production floor,
  responding to changing linen requirements as necessary.

Work Schedule: Various Full-Time work schedule opportunities. Weekdays, weekends, and holiday shift hours are required. Shifts are subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency.
Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Worker/PD06604A and PD11259A
Physical Requirements: Must be in good physical condition and have no gross physical impairment. Position requires constantly, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, stooping and bending. Loads of more than 50 pounds must be lifted and heavy linen carts moved. Mental concentration and physical coordination are essential in the performance of assigned tasks. Judgment and sound decision-making are required in all aspects of work. During normal day to day operations, individual will be required to perform simple grasping and fine hand manipulation, reaching above shoulder height and frequent bending, stooping, bending, twisting and kneeling. Position requires that individual operate vehicles, electrical equipment, and push or pull soiled and clean laundry carts in and out of laundry trucks, to and from loading docks to various locations within the laundry and medical center.

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
• 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.

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:


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.

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.