Summary This position is for a Laundry Machine Operator for the VA Black Hills Health Care System, located in Fort Meade, SD. The employee will provide on-site laundry washing services for various items. The employee operates an industrial washer/extractor and dryer to complete the day to day work. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Operates and unloads two 400-pound washer/extractors, one 200-pound washer extractor and two 85-pound washer extractor. Loads and operates two 200-pound dryers and one 100-pound dryer, utilizing the overhead rail system. Cleans all dryer lint screens and canisters routinely, thus reducing energy consumption. Receives, weighs and records bulk soiled linen from hospital and three contract suppliers. Weighs and sorts soiled linen using the automated sorting system. Places soiled linen on the overhead rail system by using the pneumatic controls on the lift station. Occasionally performs dyeing and stain removal. Does manual and automatic loads of fabric requiring special handling such as fiberglass, mops, dust mops, plastics, uniforms, nomex, and other materials. Operates a diesel or gasoline powered vehicle equipped with either an automatic or a ten-speed transmission and a hydraulic lift. Vehicle has a gross weight of 12,880 pounds and is capable of carrying loads weighing up to 7,000 pounds. Gathers, assembles, consolidates and lifts bags of soiled linen into carts at all souled linen collection areas within the Medical Center. Loads carts of clean linen onto the truck at the clean laundry dock, delivers these carts to all linen distribution points and returns all empty linen carts to the laundry for restocking. Adheres to established delivery schedules and time frames when completing deliveries. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance on vehicle and equipment and reports other maintenance or repair needs to the Textile Care Manager or Work Leader. Required to assume the duties of a laundry worker, so that all hospital needs can be met on a timely basis. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:00am-2:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Machine Operator/PD20336A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required 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 dentification 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) Valid State Driver's License Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/23/2025. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. For this position, you must have the you have the ability to do the work without more than normal supervision in performing the full range of duties. Related experience includes: loads machine to proper capacity; able to troubleshoot, make adjustment, and perform minor maintenance of equipment; follow instructions and read signs; use of common cleaning solvents, cleaning tools, and equipment. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Operation of Equipment/Machinery Technical Practices Without more than normal supervision Work Practices 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Driver's License: A current and valid State Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid Commercial Driver's License. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Physical Requirements: Incumbent stands and walks continuously on concrete floors and requires strength and stamina for doing heavy physical tasks for long periods of time, such as pulling from wet wash from washer/extractors, pushing heavy carts and lifting heavy bundles weighing over 50 pounds. Pushing and pulling linen carts up to 400 pounds. All duties are performed while standing, walking, bending or stooping on a concrete floor. Heavy lifting and pulling are required while loading or unloading machines, handling heavy laundry slings, handling washroom supplies, etc. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Working Conditions: Performs duties indoors under favorable lighting at various temperatures. On occasion, may be exposed to dirt and disagreeable odors, seen and unseen bloodborne pathogens, medical waste in and outside of protective waste containers, noise from working with power equipment, seen and unseen contagious and possible infectious substances, urine, feces, puke, and large and small amounts of blood. Incumbent will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while performing their day to day duties. That PPE may include respirator, face mask, gloves, double gloves, gowns, shoe covers, hair covers, face shields, goggles, and eye protections. May work on weekends and holidays as scheduled performing laundry duties. From time to time, may be asked or assigned to work overtime with or without advanced notice based on the needs of the facility. Incumbent is exposed to various weather conditions when working as truck driver. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.