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Materials Handler (Medical Waste)

Department of Defense
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Summary

About the Position: Position located at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Primary duties are throughout the hospital in patient care areas, storage areas, warehouses, loading docks, and in administrative office settings. Work hours are regular first shift. Shifts may rotate as necessary with sufficient advanced notice, with potential for over-time and on-call work. The incumbent will work to sustain a clean and healthy environment for the care and treatment of hospital patients.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/09/2026 to 04/13/2026
Salary
$22.25 - $25.92 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bethesda, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
HSJT-26-12931256-DE
Control number
864213000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualification" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Duties

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  • Identify, package, handle, transport, store, and dispose of regulated medical waste (RMW) in support of the Military medical treatment facility (MTF).
  • Retrieve waste from the areas of generation to include the hospital as well as other buildings on the installation.
  • Transport waste to storage area using a RMW transporting cart, tote, flatbed cart, dolly, or an electric golf cart.
  • Ensure accountability and custody of medical waste until disposed of through a contractor.
  • Ensure documentation, weight labeling, and packaging is appropriate and in accordance with established procedures and safety regulations.
  • Report improper waste disposal violations to the work leader, supervisor, or manager immediately.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
  • This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
  • Moderate to heavy lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.
Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Materials Handler (Medical Waste) ~ without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common Materials Handler (Medical Waste) duties. I am skilled in handling and managing regulated medical waste while working in a large facility. I am skilled at labeling medical waste containers. I am skilled at collecting medical waste already placed in containers. I am skilled at storing medical waste. I work under close supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of Materials
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)
  • Physical Effort: Incumbent performs duties requiring physical strength to pull material (medical waste) carts throughout the facility. Push heavy totes weighing 94 to 96 lbs each plus the weight of the waste (average 60lbs +). Pushing and pulling battery powered stacker when relocating totes; standing on feet and walking continuously; stooping and bending; lifting of material (medical waste boxes) with average 22lbs. Physical handling of materials (medical waste) will be routine. Incumbent must be able to lift/ stack materials (medical waste boxes) weighing up to 50 pounds; shift/relocate other materials such as equipment, supplies and bundles of medical waste boxes (100 boxes a bundle 200lbs) using appropriate material handling equipment.
  • Working Conditions: The Incumbent usually works mostly inside and outside occasionally. Inside work is performed in the main facility, but the storage area is near the loading dock which may be drafty or unheated in the winter and very warm in the summer. Outside work is subject to inclement weather. Discomfort is experienced while wearing protective clothing, gloves, safety shoes, goggles or facemask. Incumbent may be exposed to hazardous cleaning chemicals, machinery fluids, and possibly cuts and bruises. May be subject to hazards of working close to moving equipment, (e.g., stacker lifts, electric golf carts, hand trucks, ride on cart moving equipment). Care is required to avoid serious injuries when lifting boxes, pulling/pushing carts, pushing/ pulling totes and when operating powered equipment. Incumbent may be exposed to infectious waste and needle sticks.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.
You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA

As an integrated health care system, the Defense Health Agency delivers healthcare services across the Department of Defense and enables combat support to the Joint Force as a strategic partner. Through a robust healthcare delivery system, and a dedicated team of inspired professionals, the Agency ensures the worldwide delivery of medical, dental, and pharmacy programs to more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, by improving health and building readiness

Anytime, Anywhere-Always.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
JT-DDAAFF NCR DHN - WALTER REED
DO NOT MAIL
Bethesda, MD 20889
US

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