Assistant Executive Housekeeper - (NIH)

This job posting is for a government contract at National Institute of Health (NIH) Bethesda, MD. We are posting strictly for the purpose of contract incumbent onboarding. Current employees at NIH must apply for onboarding. All hiring and onboarding is done electronically online. 

Job Summary:

The Assistant Executive Housekeeper (AEH) is a dedicated supervisory position and serves as the primary on-site manager during the absence of the Executive Housekeeper. The AEH supports the Executive Housekeeper in the full scope of day-to-day management of Environmental Services (EVS) and Linen Distribution operations at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the NIH Clinical Center (Building 10) and associated campus facilities. The AEH must be fully capable of independently assuming all duties and responsibilities of the Executive Housekeeper and is expected to maintain operational continuity, quality standards, and staff performance at all times. The AEH plays a key role in training, quality control, regulatory compliance, and ensuring that all operations meet NIH contract requirements, TJC Environment of Care standards, CDC infection control guidelines, and applicable federal healthcare environmental cleaning protocols.

Salary:      Commensurate with experience and applicable Wage Determination

Benefits:   Teya and its Subsidiaries offer highly competitive benefits, including Federal Employee Health Benefits medical insurance, PTO, dental, vision, and matching 401(k) retirement plan, short term disability, life insurance/AD&D, 11 paid holidays, as well as clear internal career progression and employee development pathways.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for this position and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Other duties may be assigned.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

·     Performs daily quality control inspections across all assigned NIH areas, including patient care units, research laboratories, operating suites, isolation rooms, and administrative spaces; documents findings and initiates corrective actions in a timely manner.

·     Communicates QC inspection results to the Executive Housekeeper and, as directed, to the NIH Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR); ensures all deficiencies are tracked to resolution.

·     Ensures all EVS and linen distribution activities consistently meet NIH infection control standards, TJC Environment of Care environmental services guidelines, CDC/HICPAC infection prevention protocols, and all contractual performance requirements.

·     Assists in preparing documentation for contract deliverables, inspection logs, QASP performance reports, and all government-required submittals within required deadlines.

Training and Supervision

·     Participates in the initial intensive onboarding and training of all new EVS and linen distribution hires, covering NIH-specific access requirements, safety protocols, infection control procedures, HIPAA compliance, and cleaning techniques.

·     Trains and coaches EVS personnel on proper cleaning and disinfection techniques, linen handling procedures, chemical safety and SDS compliance, infection prevention practices, and area-specific assignment requirements; documents all training activities.

·     Participates in monthly in-service training sessions covering patient safety, HIPAA compliance, NIH biosafety protocols, TJC standards updates, and EVS best practices.

·     Assists in conducting annual performance reviews for EVS staff; maintains related personnel documentation in compliance with company and contract requirements.

Operations Support

·     Supports the Executive Housekeeper in managing daily staffing, work schedules, and area assignments across all shifts and NIH service locations; independently manages these functions during Executive Housekeeper absences.

·     Trained in and capable of independently ordering supplies, equipment, and linen inventory in accordance with contract requirements, NIH facility standards, and Teya procurement procedures.

·     Directs and adjusts staff response to emergent or unforeseen conditions, including infectious disease events, facility incidents, and emergency cleaning activations; escalates as necessary to the Executive Housekeeper or Operations Manager.

·     Implements schedule and assignment changes in response to contract modifications, NIH operational needs, or COR direction; performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Housekeeper or Operations Manager.

Executive Housekeeper Stand-In

·     Assumes full responsibilities of the Executive Housekeeper during planned or unplanned absences, including COR communication, staff management, quality oversight, supply management, and full contract deliverable compliance.

·     Maintains readiness at all times to independently manage all contractual and operational requirements of the EVS and Linen Distribution department without interruption to NIH facility services.

General Requirements:

·     Must have thorough knowledge of all EVS department policies, procedures, NIH contract requirements, and applicable regulatory standards including TJC, CDC, OSHA, and NIH DFM directives; must wear uniform and comply with NIH access control and Teya work rules at all times.

·     Must be willing and able to assist in emergency response at the NIH Clinical Center, including infectious disease events, biohazard spill response, and disaster preparedness activation.

·     Will maintain current training in NIH disaster preparedness, Anti-Terrorism Level I, HIPAA, OSHA HazCom/GHS, and Infection Control protocols as required by contract and NIH policy.

·     Must be available for all shifts in a 24/7 operational environment including evenings, nights, weekends, and federal holidays.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

·     Certification Required: Qualified by the International Executive Housekeeper’s Association (IEHA) as a Certified Environmental Services Executive (CESE), or equivalent certification through the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE); certifications must remain in active current status throughout the contract term. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) earned through annual training seminars presented by ISSA, AHE, and/or IEHA.

·     Minimum three (3) years of healthcare environmental services experience within the last five (5) years in a medical treatment facility or research hospital with inpatient, outpatient, and/or surgical specialties; prior supervisory or lead EVS experience in a large, complex healthcare or federal facility strongly preferred; NIH or government facility experience highly desirable.

·     Working knowledge of linen distribution operations, AHE/ISSA productivity standards, and service level classification systems; familiarity with federal contracting requirements including the Service Contract Act (SCA) and applicable wage determinations.

·     Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and EVS management or scheduling systems; strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively interface with NIH government personnel, CORs, and multi-disciplinary facility teams.

·     Demonstrated ability to supervise a multi-shift EVS workforce across a large, complex campus environment; ability to adapt quickly to emergent, unforeseen, or rapidly changing operational conditions.

HIPAA and Safety:

Must perform all duties in a manner that assures the confidentiality, privacy, dignity, and safety of NIH patients, research participants, visitors, and staff at all times. All personnel are required to comply with HIPAA regulations, NIH privacy policies, and applicable federal standards governing the handling of protected health information (PHI) and sensitive research data. Must comply with all NIH campus security requirements, complete a federal background investigation, and complete pre-employment drug screening prior to start date.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employee must maintain a constant state of mental alertness at all times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Capabilities:                                                            

Extensive walking throughout NIH campus during operations and rounds.

Able to bend, stoop, reach, and demonstrate EVS tasks.                             

May carry supplies, equipment, and documentation.                                 

Must maintain mental alertness throughout the full shift.                          

Physical Demands:

Walking / Standing                 65%

Bending / Stooping                 15%

Reaching / Extending             10%

Kneeling / Crouching              5%

Twisting / Turning                  5%

Note: Per BLS Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS), First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers (SOC 37-1011) are on their feet approximately 80–90% of the workday; extensive walking for operational rounds is a primary physical requirement.

Additional Position Duties:

This position description is intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Other duties may be assigned, and the company reserves the right to modify, interpret, and apply the job description as necessary. This position description is not a contract for employment and employment is “at-will” unless otherwise stated in a Union contract, employment agreement, or where prohibited by local, state, or federal regulations.

EEO Statement:

It is the company’s policy to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude, and experience, to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work-related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected status. When applicable, the company’s policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force, and benefits. It is the company’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodation, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

Performance Standards:

To be successful in this role, the AEH will apply strong supervisory skills and deep knowledge of healthcare EVS and NIH contract requirements to ensure consistent achievement of all performance standards and QASP thresholds. Performance standards include QC inspection scores, corrective action timeliness, training compliance, staff performance, COR satisfaction, attendance, and operational continuity. This document is not a contract of employment.