Sewing Machine Operator

Administration & Operations; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, seeks a skilled Linen Technician to mend and repair surgical linens and clothing using industrial sewing, button, and patching equipment within Environmental Management Service.

The role requires physical work, standing, lifting up to 50 pounds, and operating multiple machines; meticulous attention to detail and the ability to follow standard procedures are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience operating industrial sewing machines for linens.
• Ability to read instructions and specifications for linen repair.
• Capability to fabricate specialty linen items.
• Physical ability to perform repetitive, manual labor.

Responsibilities

• Mend and repair surgical linens and clothing.
• Fabricate specialty linen items as required.
• Operate sewing, button, patch, and label machines.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work area.

Skills

Sewing machine operation

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Reading instructions

Tools

Industrial sewing machine

Button machine

Patch machine

Label machine

Job description

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC), Asheville NC, in the Linen Section of Environmental Management Service. The primary purpose of the position is to mend and repair surgical linens and clothing made of fabrics using industrial type sewing, button, and patching machines and fabricate specialty linen items.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS:

Requires physical effort involving continuous body and arm movement, sitting, walking, standing, bending, twisting, reaching, sorting, and folding linens and uniforms, and operates sewing machine, button machine, patch machine and label machine. Must be physically able to remain engaged in manual work requiring moderately heavy physical effort during the entire tour of duty. Lifts boxes of linen items and uniforms for storage or uncrating weighing up to 50 pounds. Incumbent will perform work in a well-lighted , noisy and adequate area. May be subjected to minor injuries such as cuts, needle punctures as well as bruises from carts and machinery. Usually works indoors in areas well heated and air-cooled. Exposed to skin irritations from cleaning solutions. May be exposed to lint, continual noise, possible burns and bruises, dirt, and disagreeable odors.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measurement and Layout
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.