Summary This position of Laundry Machine Operator is assigned to Veterans Administration, Medical Center, Administrative Service, Building Management Service, Laundry Section. Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Operates 2 to 4 washing machines for washing various types of laundry.
- Sorts by clothing type, soiled type.
- Weighs soiled linens to appropriate weights then, operate slings lift using railing system to load washing machines.
- Ensures that machines are not loaded under or overrated capacity.
- Selects appropriate settings for the different classifications of laundry in accordance with appropriate washing formulas which involves variations in water temperatures, number and timing of cycles and the addition at various stages during the process of proper amounts and kinds of bleaches, souring, bleaching and alkali depending on the types of articles being washed.
- Applies a general knowledge of the effect of water temperatures on the various classifications being washed and the reaction of the different fabrics to the various formulas.
- Considers the neutralizing effect on the various commercial sours.
- Applies bleach, which is controlled by weight type of fabrics in process.
- Always applies appropriate safety regulations. Notes condition which retards action of soap and consequently the need for additional soap, depending on the amount and type of soil.
- Occasionally operates 1 to 2 dryers for laundry.
- Balances wet wash in drum by distributing articles evenly. Uses lift jack for loading and unloading extractors.
- Sets timer for proper period to extract sufficient quantity of water.
- Loads dryers, sets controls for drying time and cooling period.
- Unloads, inspects, folds, and processes for issue.
- Readies machines for daily operations and programs laundry machines for operation.
- Performs operator maintenance on laundry machinery to achieve peak efficiency.
- Manually maneuvers large bins of soiled clothing through building to laundry area or laundry truck, if needed.
- Removes foreign objects such as coins, paper clips, etc. from washers when such objects jam washer doors, by loosening hinge bolts and sliding door back and forth to free object.
- Inspects clothing and other articles for missing buttons, tears, broken zippers and worn cuffs, collars and facings.
- Segregates damaged or worn clothing for disposal or repair.
- Performs a variety of assignments, within Personnel Protective Equipment Section, to include the physical receipt of linen, storage, inventory and issue of linen. Unpacks new clothing and prepares for issue. Packages damaged or worn clothing for disposal.
- Performs other duties as assigned by Laundry Supervisor.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00am to 2:30pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Machine Operator/PD706130
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/19/2026.
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, The ability to do the work of a Laundry Machine Operator without more than normal supervision performing duties such as Textile Processing, Commercial Laundry, Cleaning and Sanitation. Related experience include but are not limited to: Ensures washers are used to their loaded capacities; in addition to, making sure that over-loading or under-loading does not occur. Sort soiled linens, pre-soak stained textiles as needed, accurately weigh wash loads to ensure washer/extractors are correctly balanced, wash soiled textiles, and unload clean textiles. In-depth knowledge and care of washroom equipment, chemicals, and procedures such as operation of dryers, pneumatic lift system, weigh carts, ensures proper administration of Oxygenated Bleaches, Laundry Alkalis, Sours, and detergents to guarantee proper soil lift and suspension during wash process; as well as, ensure that proper neutralization occurs. Note: 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.. 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.
The potential eligible are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:
- Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
- Dexterity and Safety
- Knowledge of Materials
- Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
- Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
- Without more than normal supervision
- Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)
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.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Heavy physical effort is required to pull wet laundry from the washer and place on lift jack, push heavy carts of soiled laundry and lift bundles weighing 50 pounds or more. Soiled Room work is performed on hard surfaces and in work areas that require standing, stooping, bending and working in a tiring and uncomfortable position. May be required to work at a rapid pace for long periods of time. Light physical effort in reaching, bending, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet and legs to operate hand and foot controls.
Working Conditions: Laundry is noisy and usually hot and humid. Worker is exposed to the possibility of bruises from moving carts or falls on wet floors in the working area. Soiled sort work will leave employee potentially exposure to blood borne pathogens and sharps within soiled linens. Soiled linen work is usually dirty and greasy. Operates vehicles in all kinds of weather in a controlled traffic environment. May be exposed to dirt and fumes, and to the possibility of cuts, bruises and broken bones. Must be able to stand long periods of time during sorting/loading of washing machines. This position requires the incumbent to be physically able to wear protective personal equipment to perform assignments.
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
- 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 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.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.
RESUME REMINDER: Your resume must include the following information each job listed:
- Job title;
- Duties (be as detailed as possible);
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008);
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
- Salary/Rank etc.;
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held;
- References, current or recent supervisor.
Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
- Classified or Government sensitive information
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
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.How to apply All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/19/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13112267.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.
Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. If initial application submission is updated and resubmitted with a new resume, only the most current resume will be reviewed for consideration.
Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume:
- Prioritize most relevant and recent experience
- Use concise, results focused language
- Align language from the job announcement
- Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies
- Remove outdated or unrelated experience
- Use the USAJOBS resume builder
Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at:
- https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit
- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified, you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.Other information 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.
