Housekeeping Aid - Environmental Services Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Sioux Falls is seeking a dedicated janitor to maintain cleanliness in patient and non-patient care areas.

This role includes a variety of tasks such as floor maintenance, restroom cleaning, and textile management, requiring physical stamina and the ability to use cleaning equipment.

Applicants should be prepared for a full-time schedule, including weekends and rotating holidays, and must meet physical qualifications.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills to perform janitorial and custodial duties.
• Strong physical ability including continuous walking and occasional heavy lifting.
• Ability to work with cleaning equipment efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Execute a full range of housekeeping activities in patient and non-patient care areas.
• Perform floor maintenance and wall washing.
• Provide bed-making services in patient care areas.

Job description

Summary This position is located within the Environmental Management Services of the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System and performs janitorial and custodial services, including textile distribution and inventory, sanitizing and disinfecting, waste removal, cleaning of blinds, washing windows, polishing floors, and more.

Responsibilities

• Execute a full range of housekeeping activities in patient and non-patient care areas
• Perform floor maintenance and wall washing
• Clean doors, doorframes, baseboard corners and edges, and stairwells
• Use pressure washers and heavy powered equipment as needed
• Adjust, clean, and perform minor maintenance on equipment, changing attachments for optimal results
• Empty trash and wastebaskets, replace liners
• Transport general refuse, regulated medical waste, and recycling to central collection areas
• Clean rest rooms, bathrooms, and shower rooms ensuring they meet acceptable standards (clean, disinfect, deodorize lavatories, showers, bathtubs, urinals, and toilet bowls)
• Clean mirrors, sinks, and water fountains
• Wash and polish light fixtures and toilet fixtures
• Replenish supplies of paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizers, and soap in all dispenser locations
• Move and arrange furniture, patient wardrobes, beds, etc. in assigned areas to accomplish cleaning tasks
• Provide bed‑making services in patient care areas and OD rooms (clean mattresses, springs, bed frames, bedside stands, over bed lights, blood pressure cuffs, bed tables, etc.)
• Remove bags of soiled textiles from patient rooms and transport to designated soiled rooms; load and unload clean textiles from bulk carts
• Restock clean textile closets, cabinets, shelves, carts, and participate in inventory management activities
• Defrost and clean patient care refrigerators and ice machines in nourishment kitchen areas
• Clean stainless steel on storage instrument cabinets, counters, elevators in lobbies, wards, diet‑kitchens, and nurse utility rooms; clean ashtrays, smoke stands, sand urns in designated smoke areas and water fountains
• Provide interim cleaning of windows and window ledges from the inside, cleaning glass doors and other glass surfaces; replace curtains and clean blinds
• Clean and/or replace needle boxes; periodically clean specific non-critical reusable medical equipment in inpatient and clinical areas
• May work with and provide guidance to a Compensated Work Therapy worker
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Work schedule: Full‑time; 7:00 am–3:30 pm Wednesday‑Sunday (Mon/Tues off) rotating federal holidays and 3:30 pm–12:00 am Monday‑Friday (Sat/Sun off) rotating federal holidays

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement. A specific length of training and experience is not mandatory, but must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties through resume detail. Must meet the Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. Physical requirements include continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling and pushing; occasional use of heavy equipment over 50 pounds; dexterity and visual acuity. Must participate in pre‑employment evaluation.

Physical Requirements: Continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling, pushing, occasional use of heavy powered cleaning equipment (over 50 pounds). Requires hand, foot, eye coordination and concentration, visual acuity. Must work indoors with heat, light, ventilation; may work outdoors with exposure to heat, cold, inclement weather. May require PPE due to exposure to contagious diseases, blood, and hazardous materials.

Work Environment: Typically indoors, may be outdoors; needs resilience to heat and cold; PPE usage may be required.