Environmental Services Technician

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center located in Amarillo, Texas, is a prominent healthcare institution dedicated to providing exceptional medical services to veterans and their families. As part of the federal government, the VA Medical Center offers a unique and rewarding career path with a strong commitment to serving those who have served the nation. The Environmental Management Services Division within the VA is focused on maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary environment for patients, staff, and visitors alike. This division plays a crucial role in patient care, ensuring facilities meet the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene to support both recovery and overall well-being.

This position is for a Housekeeping Aid (Environmental Services Technician) under the direct supervision of the Housekeeping Supervisor or their designee. The role involves performing both janitorial and custodial services throughout the Medical Center. The technician is responsible for a full range of routine housekeeping duties including cleaning wards, patient rooms, corridors, offices, restrooms, and other facility areas. The job requires the use of various cleaning equipment such as sweepers, mops, scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, and buffers, emphasizing both light and heavy cleaning tasks. The Environmental Services Technicians are an essential part of the VA team, tasked with promptly addressing spills, emptying trash, polishing floors, cleaning light fixtures, and maintaining sanitary conditions to enhance the patient care environment.

Employment type for this position is full-time and permanent, with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm or 3:30 pm to midnight, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed. The hourly wage ranges from $18.04 to $21.05, classified at the WG-2 pay grade with no promotion potential. This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, nationals, and certain other eligible candidates under veteran and career transition programs. The role does not authorize relocation or recruitment incentives.

Functioning effectively in this position demands considerable physical stamina and dexterity, with continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, as well as handling heavy powered cleaning equipment weighing over 50 pounds. Environmental Services Technicians must maintain concentration, visual acuity, and safety awareness, particularly when working at heights or with hazardous materials. The work environment is primarily indoors with controlled conditions, although occasional outdoor duties may expose technicians to harsh weather conditions. Compliance with mandatory health and safety protocols, including influenza vaccinations and personal protective equipment use, is required.

The VA Medical Center values diversity and encourages individuals committed to public service and efficient federal government operations to apply. Veterans make up a significant portion of the housekeeping staff, reflecting the agency's support and respect for military service. The role offers a sense of pride and fulfillment from directly contributing to the health care mission for veterans, ensuring that facilities remain clean, safe, and welcoming.

Career development support, comprehensive federal employee benefits, and a structured onboarding and probationary evaluation process are integral to the employment experience at the VA. Applicants must be prepared for a background and security investigation, pre-employment physical, and adherence to federal employment regulations. The VA Medical Center Amarillo is dedicated to a fair and inclusive hiring process with opportunities for persons with disabilities and veterans to apply under special appointment authorities.

Overall, the Housekeeping Aid - Environmental Services Technician position represents a vital support role within a large and dynamic healthcare environment, directly impacting the quality of care veterans receive through exceptional facility maintenance.