Custodial Worker

This position is located within the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Manhattan, KS.

• Cleans offices, corridors, stairways, fairways, cafeteria, and other areas.
• Sweeps, dry mops, wet mops, scrubs, strips, waxes, and polishes floors using brooms, vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbers, and buffers.
• Cleans walls, ceilings, room partitions, polishes fixtures that can be reached only by ladder, and washes and replaces window blinds.
• Keeps rest rooms/lavatories clean, orderly, and in sanitary condition.
• Performs snow removal at entry doors, smoking shelter, and other areas as needed.
• Adjusts, cleans, oils, changes brushes, rollers, buffers, and other attachments on cleaning machines.
• Keeps stock of cleaning material and equipment needed to do the work and, through the Leader, orders from warehouse when additional supplies are needed.

• Conditions of Employment: In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
• Qualifications: In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
• Qualification requirements emphasize the quality of experience, not necessarily the length.
• The responses to the questionnaire and your resume should be in significant detail to provide the person rating your application with a good understanding of your ability to do the job, technical knowledge, work, and training experience, etc.

The work involves exposure to strong cleaning solutions, disagreeable odors, exposure to hot and cold conditions, high noise and vibration levels, and occasionally, harmful biological, chemical, and physical agents.

There is a chance of minor injuries (cuts and bruises) and caution and adherence to instruction must be taken to avoid serious injuries when working from ladders and scaffolds and powered equipment.

Protective devices such as gloves, goggles, face mask, or respirators and immunizations may be required.

The incumbent may be required to frequently wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks or respirators, eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, and coveralls when working in any of the laboratories.

PPE provides necessary protection against biological and chemical hazards, but may increase the risk of accidents due to decreased vision, hampered communication, limited mobility and dexterity.

Physical well-being may be compromised by the prolonged usage of the PPE may lead to labored respiration, heat stress, and dehydration.

The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.

Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the laboratory may apply after entering high security animal facilities that are working with disease agents foreign to the United States.

Contact with horses, birds (agricultural and pet birds) and rabbits are normally permitted, but restrictions may be placed on staff working with or near contagious agents affecting these species.

Restricted livestock or other restricted animals may not be housed on the premises where the employee lives and where quarantine cannot be enforced.

Employees who violate this requirement may be removed from employment or subject to other disciplinary action.

Additionally, an approved SRA investigation is required for access to select agent registered spaces.