Materials Handler

Summary

The Materials Handler in Environmental Management Services works at a two divisional teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky Medical Center at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Lexington, KY. Materials Handler will normally work at the (Cooper Division), but is required to work at other locations as necessary. Materials Handler may work any assigned tour of duty in support of 24 hour service.

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Duties

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Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Serves as a Housekeeping Aide using knowledge of cleaning products as needed.
• Ensures cleanliness of all assigned areas when working as a housekeeper.
• Performs minor maintenance on housekeeping equipment.
• Assembles new equipment per manufacturer instructions and test for proper operation prior to placing in use.
• Maintains MSDS on all products utilized in the maintenance of the environment.
• Assists with prompt and safe furniture transfers and/or disposal.
• Receives new furniture items to ensure accountability for all items and parts.
• Utilizes knowledge and skills required to implement a Green Environmental Management System (GEMS).
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of current and new chemical makeup of supplies.
• Serves as a Housekeeping Aide using knowledge of cleaning products as needed.
• Utilizes knowledge of all materials to ensure the facility remains in compliance with the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS).
• Delivers supplies to storage areas throughout the entire facility utilizing knowledge of chemicals used in each area of the facility.
• Inspects the inventory lists and prepares supply requests for the service to maintain inventory levels.
• Inspects inventory usage and maintains accurate projections of future inventory needs.
• Inspects cleanliness of all storage areas while restocking and conducting inventory.
• Assists in furniture handling as required by leadership.
• Knowledgeable and compliant with all safety rules and regulations.
• Transfers carts of materials weighing up to 200 pounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:00am - 3:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Materials Handler/PD072750

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 ( 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/13/2026.

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, 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. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Inspect
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• 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: Work involves considerable walking, pushing and pulling a variety of carts and materials handling equipment; offloading and loading trucks, lifting products on and off shelves, handling boxes frequently weighing over 40 pounds; handles equipment, furniture and materials of an awkward and heavier nature in excess of 100 pounds (typically using specialized equipment and/or assistance of co-workers). Greater physical effort may be required on projects involving the movement of large quantities of products over an extended period including turn-ins, large shipments and deliveries. While operating vehicles, may be required to exert a greater level of physical exertion while backing and turning trucks, operating forklifts, or hand trucks on uneven terrains and uncertain conditions.

Working Conditions require working in storage buildings, pods, trailers, vehicles and warehouses that may be hot, cold, drafty and poor lighting; work outdoors, on docks, making deliveries in all types of weather conditions during all seasons; hazardous materials may be encountered in daily work activities; will be subject to the possibility of trips, falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, or injury from the use of equipment; may be subject to conditions that could result in serious accidents; personal protective equipment may be required.

Education

There is no educational substitution for this position.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.