Housekeeping Aid - Environmental Services Technician

The Robley Rex VA Medical Center, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is a premier federal healthcare institution dedicated to serving the needs of U.S. veterans. As part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, this medical center offers comprehensive medical services, including primary care, specialty care, and extended care programs. Established to honor the contributions and sacrifices of veterans, the facility is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare backed by a workforce that embodies professionalism and dedication. The institution operates various clinical and administrative departments and thrives on maintaining a clean, safe, and hygienic environment vital for patient health and safety.

The Environmental Services Technician position at the Louisville VAMC involves performing a comprehensive range of cleaning and sanitation tasks essential to maintaining the cleanliness and safety standards within the facility. This role is pivotal in supporting the overall healthcare delivery process by ensuring that patient rooms, public areas, and clinical spaces are properly cleaned, sanitized, and maintained according to stringent hygiene standards. Technicians use an array of powered cleaning tools and chemicals, demonstrating proficiency in operational safety while handling potentially hazardous materials.

Duties encompass using specialized equipment such as buffing and polishing machines, vacuum cleaners of multiple types, pressure washers, steam and spray cleaners as well as electric and battery-operated scrubbers. The technician will clean various architectural features, including floors, walls, ceilings, baseboards, and metal fixtures. Chemical agents including germicidal detergents, sanitizers, deodorizers, and floor finishes are handled with care to adhere strictly to safety and label instructions, ensuring the protection of both personnel and patients.

Additional responsibilities include making and changing beds, handling linens, and managing waste—from general to regulated medical waste, chemotherapeutic, and radioactive waste—following established protocols for disposal and storage. The technician also ensures consumable supplies are replenished regularly, supporting the smooth functioning of the medical center’s operations. This is a full-time, permanent position with a pay scale ranging from $18.73 to $21.82 per hour (WG 2 grade) with various shifts to be determined upon selection. The role requires U.S. citizenship, suitability for federal employment, and adherence to a probationary period to assess fitness and alignment with agency goals.

Working at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center as an Environmental Services Technician means contributing to a team that values dedication to public service, safety, and procedural compliance in a healthcare setting. The position duties involve working indoors typically with adequate heating, lighting, and ventilation but may include outdoor assignments subject to weather conditions. Physical demands are significant, including continuous walking, standing, and lifting heavier powered cleaning equipment (up to 50 pounds or more), requiring technical skill and physical endurance. Environmental safety protocols such as the use of PPE when exposed to potentially infectious materials are integral to daily operations.

This role does not have educational qualification requirements, but candidates must have adequate experience or demonstrated training in custodial duties and the ability to safely operate cleaning equipment and chemicals. Detailed documentation of experience is necessary, and candidates will be assessed on their ability to meet a set of federal work standards, including dexterity, reliability, and work practices. This position is not telework eligible and does not offer relocation or recruitment incentives. The Environment Services Technician plays a critical role in delivering a safe, sanitary, and healing environment for veterans and staff, making this career opportunity both rewarding and essential to public health within the federal healthcare system.