Environmental Care Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is assigned to the Office of the Chief within the Environmental Management Service (EMS).

The incumbent function as the administrative official with responsibilities that reach into all organizational elements of Mann - Grandstaff VA Medical Center in regards to Environmental Management Programs.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 04/13/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5.

For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7.The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Minimum Qualifications, GS-7: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-5, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Providing administrative and technical support for an office; maintaining databases and records; developing reports and presentations; assisting with studies, analyzing findings and implementing recommended changes; managing equipment/supply needs; and utilizing various software programs.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year of successfully completed graduate level education.

Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

NOTE: Transcripts required. OR, Superior Academic Achievement: This provision recognizes students who have achieved superior academic standing as evidenced by one of the three methods described below.

It is to be used to determine eligibility for applicable GS-7 level positions of persons who have completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum related to the position. NOTE: Transcripts required.

Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.

Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society - Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below.

These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies . OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-7 grade level. NOTE: Transcripts required.

Minimum Qualifications, GS-9: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-7, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Coordinating program reporting activities and evaluating data to monitor performance, track outcomes, and support organizational reporting requirements; developing or revising administrative procedures, guidance, or program documentation used to standardize operations or support program implementation; conducting organizational or workflow studies to assess efficiency, productivity, or effectiveness of operations and providing recommendations for improvement; managing or coordinating program functions related to environmental services, facilities operations, quality assurance, or organizational support activities; applying qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to evaluate program operations and prepare reports, briefings, or recommendations for management.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B.

or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled.

Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

NOTE: Transcripts required. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the first year (18 semester hours) to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-9 grade level.

NOTE: Transcripts required For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining a formal, comprehensive Quality Assurance program encompassing all functions and programs for which Environmental Management Service has responsibility.

The program must meet all regulatory requirements, including but not limited to TJC, OSHA, EPA and quality standards developed by VACO Environmental Program Services (EPS).

Responsible for monitoring all aspects of the Sanitation, Infection Control, Waste Management, Pest Control, Textile Care Plant, Service Contracts and a large housekeeping (day to day and maintenance) functions.

Schedule, coordinate and monitor all aspects of Environmental Management Programs continuous education.

As training coordinator, you will monitor Service orientation, monthly training for employees within the Service to include remedial training as required for all EMS staff.

Functions as the Service's central technical representative regarding contract compliance for Pest Management, leased space sanitation and off station textile care contracts.

Serve as advisor to the Chief EMS on all matters pertaining to the EMS Quality Assurance Program.

As QA program manager, you are required to monitor regular waste removal, contaminated waste removal, multiply recycling removal processes, pest control activities and housekeeping activities from all campuses and Community Based Outpatient Clinics and textile care operations.

Other duties may be assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Environmental Care Specialist/PD704070 and PD704220 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized