At a Glance
- Tasks: Keep our VA facilities clean and safe for Veterans and their families.
- Company: Join the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, serving those who served us.
- Benefits: Earn $18.77 - $21.88/hr with opportunities for growth and experience.
- Other info: Full-time positions with flexible shifts available; work alongside fellow Veterans.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of Veterans while gaining valuable skills.
- Qualifications: No specific experience required; just a willingness to learn and work hard.
Filling multiple housekeeping aid positions within Environmental Management Services at the Northampton VA Medical Center - located at the Leeds - MA location. Shift and days off based on facility needs.
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:
- Dexterity and Safety
- Follow Directions
- Handle Weights and Loads
- Reliability And Dependability
- Special Aptitude - Housekeeping Work
- 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.
Physical Effort
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.
Working Conditions
Work is normally performed indoors with adequate heat - light - and ventilation. Some work may be performed outdoors where there may be exposed to varying degrees of heat and cold as well as inclement weather. PPE may be required in some circumstance as exposure to possible contagious diseases - blood and bloody secretion are inherent to this position. Care is required to avoid serious injuries (i.e. - broken bones) when working on ladders - or when using 30-100-pound power equipment or handling hazardous materials.
Duties
The housekeeping aids who maintain VA facilities for Veterans and their families are essential to the patient care experience at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA healthcare career as a housekeeping aide means working alongside other Veterans - who make up 85 percent of the housekeeping staff. As a Housekeeping Aid - you will perform a full range of light and heavy cleaning duties and routine housekeeping duties. Veterans rely on the skills of these professionals to keep patient areas clean and safe. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Clean wards - patient rooms - storerooms - offices - corridors - restrooms - shower rooms - and other areas
- Sweep - mop - scrub (machine) floors - vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture - empty waste baskets - clean light globes and Venetian blinds - wash walls - windows and ceilings by climbing small ladders - refill toilet tissue and towel dispensers and move furniture
- Carry out assignments with minimal supervision
- Address spills quickly
Work Schedule: Full-time - weekly night shifts - weekend day shifts and weekend nights
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Position Description Title/PD#: Housekeeping Aid/99909S
Relocation Incentive: Not authorized
Retention Incentives: Not authorized
Notifications: This position is in the competitive service. Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full‑time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF‑50 - (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF‑50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases - more than one SF‑50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
Seniority level: Entry level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Government Administration
Housekeeping Aid in Leeds employer: Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of Veterans and their families. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, staff are encouraged to enhance their skills while enjoying competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Working at the Northampton VA Medical Center not only provides job security but also fosters a culture of camaraderie among colleagues, many of whom are Veterans themselves, creating a unique and fulfilling workplace experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housekeeping Aid in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the VA Medical Center and its values. When you walk in for your interview, show that you understand their mission to serve Veterans. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice common interview questions related to housekeeping duties. Think about how you can demonstrate your reliability and attention to detail. We want you to be ready to impress with real-life examples of your skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress appropriately for the interview. While it’s a housekeeping position, looking neat and professional shows respect for the role and the interviewers. First impressions matter, so let’s make it a good one!
✨Tip Number 4
After the interview, don’t forget to follow up with a thank-you email. It’s a simple way to express your appreciation and keep your name fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the position!
We think you need these skills to ace Housekeeping Aid in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have, whether it's paid or volunteer work. We want to see how your skills and background make you a great fit for the Housekeeping Aid role!
Be Detailed in Your Resume:Your resume should tell a story about your abilities. Include specific examples of your past duties and responsibilities, especially those that relate to cleaning and maintaining spaces. The more detail, the better we can understand your qualifications!
Follow Directions Carefully:Pay close attention to the application instructions. If there are specific questions or elements we want you to address, make sure you do! This shows us that you can follow directions, which is super important for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s a straightforward process that gets you one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Veterans Affairs
✨Know Your Duties
Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks of a Housekeeping Aid. Understand what cleaning duties you'll be responsible for and be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have, whether it's from previous jobs or volunteer work.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your dexterity and ability to follow directions during the interview. Be prepared to give examples of how you've handled similar responsibilities in the past, especially when it comes to using cleaning equipment or managing heavy loads.
✨Demonstrate Reliability
Reliability is key in this role. Share instances where you've shown dependability in previous positions. Whether it’s arriving on time, completing tasks without supervision, or addressing issues promptly, make sure to convey your strong work ethic.
✨Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the work environment and expectations. This shows your interest in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you. Inquire about the team dynamics and any training opportunities available.