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Custodial Worker

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Various locations across the Agency.

Summary

At the Indian Health Service, Custodial Workers do more than keep spaces clean. Guided by our mission to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you help create a safe and welcoming environments that supports quality care and promotes wellness in the communities we serve.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 09/30/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$18.95 - $23.25 per hour

locality pay may apply for certain locations.

Pay scale & grade
WG 2
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Most positions filled under this announcement are full-time; however, positions may also be filled under other work schedules, including part-time (less than 40 hours per week) and intermittent (as needed).
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Multiple - Most positions filled under this announcement are permanent appointments; however, this announcement may also be used to fill time-limited positions, including TERM and temporary appointments.
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes - This position may or may not be covered by a bargaining unit, depending on the duty location. Final determination will be made at the time of appointment.
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
IHS-26-HQ-12995626-ESEP/MP
Control number
875960800

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Duties

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Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

Custodian/Housekeeping Total Compensation

  • Sweeps, mops, scrubs, applies floor wax, and polishes floor surfaces throughout the hospital including stairways and elevators.
  • Maintains custodial equipment by cleaning, oiling, and/or adjusting machine to assure maximum use.
  • Empties waste baskets and trash cans from rooms and offices throughout the hospital.
  • Keeps restrooms in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.
  • Cleans various areas such as in-patient rooms, bathrooms, public restrooms, operating rooms, labor & delivery rooms, exam rooms, isolation rooms, pharmacy, emergency room, lab, x-ray, halls, walls, floors, furnishings, equipment, windows, offices, entrances, etc., wiping surfaces using proper cleaning techniques, universal precautions, and chemicals.
A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021)

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

For certain locations, travel within the Service Unit is required and will be conducted using a Government vehicle; therefore, the selectee must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

On-call hours or standby duty may be required. Position may be subject to rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Physical Demands: The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Must have a viable bank account at a financial institution for electronic direct deposit of salary payment.

Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

WAGE GRADE STATEMENT
Candidates for this position will be evaluated under the Federal Wage System (FWS) Job Grading Standards. Applicants will be rated in the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Each of the job elements must be addressed on the on-line assessment questionnaire in order for the applicant to be rated for the position.

Physical Requirement: Moderate heavy physical effort is required continuously in performance of manual cleaning, tasks. Frequently must lift or move objects weighing about 40 pounds and occasionally objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Incumbent is exposed to unpleasant odors and is frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts, chapped hands and bruises. Protective gloves must be worn at all times when handling Infectious waste.

Your resume must reflect the answers to your on-line assessment questionnaire.

NOTE: Competition for Custodial Worker positions is restricted by law to persons entitled to veterans' preference as long as such applicants are available for appointment.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for referral.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

This position may or may not be covered by a bargaining unit, depending on the duty location. Final determination will be made at the time of appointment.

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous 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.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

  1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
  2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
  3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
  4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process. You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

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.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement.

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean and in order)

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12995626.

Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Indian Health Service

Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Agency contact information

Michael Harris
Phone
602-581-6955
Email
michael.harris3@ihs.gov
Address
IHS Headquarter
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at Indian Health Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.ihs.gov

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