Summary
The Program Specialist works directly under the Assistant Hospital Housekeeping Officer of the Environmental Management Services (EMS) in the Northern California Health Care System (NCHCS) and is responsible for providing guidance and/or advice to achieve effective overall objectives, goals, and policies when dealing with unusual situation in the Quality Assurance Programs(s).
Duties
Works and communicates with clients and customers (e.g., any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit provides, including individuals who work in your agency or in other agencies or organizations outside the Government) to satisfy their expectations. Conducts quality services reports. Develops training for all supervisors and leaders using the Talent Management System (TMS), keeping abreast of new courses, new technology, updated training modules, and other training requirements that are required in person and uploaded into TMS (N95, or current CDC approved, mask for yearly fit testing). Presents information, creates training materials, and training of employees on a repeated basis in their respective positions; the presentation must be at the level in which the respective employees can comprehend the in-formation and be able to distinguish between differences in procedures followed, products used, and reporting of injury/exposure. Seeks to cost- effectively meet or exceed compliance with applicable Federal, state and local environmental, public health, and resource protection laws, regulations, and VA requirements. Familiarizes themselves with how their activities, including purchasing, consumption, and recycling decisions impact VA's goal to implement sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources. Knows of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to protect and improve the quality of the environment and its resources; and to monitor, control, abate, and prevent pollutants. Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development. Provides formal and on-the-job training and instruction for managers and supervisors within the Environmental Management Service (EMS). Provides acquisition support from the acquisition planning stage to the contract administration, contract implementation, and activation stages. Completes the procurement and administration of contracts for non-personal services, supplies, and equipment for housekeeping or textile services. Establishes and maintains a master file of all inter/intra-service support agreements, memorandums of understanding, and memorandums of agreement involving the department and/or Northern California Health Care System (NCHCS). Evaluates performance against contractual requirements and/or performance standards. Inspects completed services and notifies internal leadership, Contracting Officer, and contractor of violations or deficiencies found during inspections or reported and verified, particularly in the areas of critical technical performance (inpatient care, critical care, and other areas that patients are frequently cared for). Identifies actual or potential slippages in contract schedules and recommends appropriate action to the Contracting Officer such as withholding payment, re-negotiations of certain clauses, new equipment, products, or cleaning techniques. Develops contract surveillance plans in accordance with the Quality Assurance Performance Standards (QAPS) and quality assurance policy requirements. Performs systematic evaluations and verifications for all elements including contract review, inspection system evaluation, evaluation, and validation of all operations for assigned items. Ensures contractor is provided copies of any written deficiencies for same or next day corrections and re-inspection. Responsible for ensuring that the contractor maintains accurate inspection data for the VA auto-mated system (SOARD/MAXIMO) for contracted services. Ensures the contractor adheres to the terms set forth in the contract and meets stringent Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards for prevention of infectious diseases. Advises on the administrative and technical aspects of the hospital's Environmental Sanitation Program, leaving the planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluation of the program to the supervisors and/or respective housekeeping contractors. Coordinates the housekeeping program activities with housekeeping supervisors and/or respective contractors. Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations. Work Schedule: Varies Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD01127O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.