Custodial workers provide vital support to VA

Without them, VA’s operating rooms wouldn’t function. Veterans couldn’t receive necessary routine care, like check-ups and flu shots. Our research facilities would grind to a halt.

Who are these key members of the VA staff? They’re custodial workers.

Next year, the Veterans Health Administration celebrates 75 years of service to our nation’s heroes. In honor of this occasion, we’re kicking off the celebration early and recognizing a different essential health care occupation at VA each month for the next year. This October, we’ll focus on custodial workers and how you can join this hard-working team in a rewarding career.

Keeping Veterans safe

Although their work is often behind the scenes, custodial workers are vital to maintaining our facilities. They ensure that thousands of medical facilities across the country are clean and safe for patients, staff and visitors — a task that has never been more important than during COVID-19.

“The custodial staff keeps VA running. They are essential to keeping medical centers and outpatient clinics sanitary for the millions of Veterans who count on VA for care,” said Darren Sherrard, associate director of VA recruitment marketing.

There are numerous, immediate openings around the country, including temporary, permanent, part-time and full-time positions.

As a custodial worker, you would perform a full range of light and heavy cleaning duties, as well as routine housekeeping maintenance, including:

• Cleaning wards, patient rooms, storerooms, offices, corridors, restrooms, showers and other areas.
• Sweeping, mopping and scrubbing floors, and vacuuming carpets and furniture.
• Emptying waste baskets and cleaning lights and window dressings.
• Washing walls, windows and ceilings.
• Refilling toilet tissue and towel dispensers.

Enjoy excellent benefits

At VA, we are all united by one mission — providing top notch care to Veterans. It’s also a great place for transitioning military personnel to find a civilian career. In fact, 85% of our custodial staff are Veterans.

VA offers a range of excellent benefits to its employees, including:

• Paid vacation time that starts building right away, paid sick leave and 10 paid federal holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including dental and vision care, which may become effective on the first full pay period after you start your job.
• Generous retirement benefits through the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, or FERS, a three-tier retirement plan that includes a 401(k)-type savings plan with an up to 5% employer match, Social Security and pension.
• Child care and transportation assistance programs may also be available. VA employees who have previously served in the military or another federal government role continue to accumulate retirement benefits.

Work at VA today

If you’re looking for a satisfying career working for Veterans, consider a position as a custodial worker.

• EXPLORE VA support staff careers and apply for an open position near you.
• LEARN about the benefits of a VA career.
• READ more about navigating the hiring process.
• VISIT vacareers.va.gov for information about working at VA.