U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Office of Merit Systems Oversight and 
Effectiveness
Classification Appeals and FLSA Programs

Atlanta Oversight Division
75 Spring Street, SW., Suite 972
Atlanta, GA  30303-3109

	Job Grading Appeal Decision
	Under section 5346 of title 5, United States Code

	Appellant: 		[Appellants]

	Agency classification: 	Housekeeping Aid
				WG-3566-2

	Organization: 		[Installation]
				Department of Veterans Affairs
				[Location]

	OPM decision: 		Housekeeping Aid
				WG-3566-2

	OPM decision number: 	C-3566-02-01

/s/
_____________________________
Timothy P. Heath
Classification Appeals Officer

March 29, 2001
_____________________________
Date

As provided in section S7-8 of the Operating Manual:  Federal Wage System, this decision 
constitutes a certificate that is mandatory and binding on all administrative, certifying, payroll, 
disbursing, and accounting officials of the government.  There is no right of further appeal.  This 
decision is subject to discretionary review only under conditions and time limits specified in 
section 532.705(f) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (address provided in the Introduction 
to the Position Classification Standards, appendix 4, section H).

Decision sent to:

[Appellants]

[Union Representative]

Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Human Resources Management (05)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 206
Washington, DC   20420

Chief, Human Resources 
Management Service - 05
Medical Center
Department of Veterans Affairs
1670 Clairmont Road
Decatur, GA  30033

Human Resources Supervisor  05
[Installation]
[Location]

Introduction

On September 1, 2000, the Atlanta Oversight Division, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), 
accepted a group appeal for the job of Housekeeping Aid, WG-3566-2, [Installation], 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in [Location].  The appellants are requesting that their 
jobs be changed to Housekeeping Aid, WG-3566-3. 

The appeal has been accepted and processed under section 5346 of title 5, United States Code 
(U.S.C.).  This is the final administrative decision on the classification of the job subject to 
discretionary review only under the limited conditions and time outlined in part 532, subpart G, 
of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  

General issues

The appellants state that the Federal Wage System (FWS) Job Grading Standard (JGS) for 
Custodial Work, 3566, dated September 1968, does not mention certain of their duties.  
Standards do not try to describe every work assignment of each position in an occupation 
covered.  The standards identify and describe key characteristics of occupations that are 
significant for distinguishing different levels of work.  In addition, the content of standards is not 
appealable (5 CFR 532.701).  

The appellants compare their jobs to other WG-3 Housekeeping Aid jobs at the [Installation] and 
other VA hospitals.  By law, we must grade jobs solely by comparing their current duties and 
responsibilities to OPM standards and guidelines (5 USC 5346).  Since comparison to standards 
is the exclusive method for grading a job, we cannot compare the appellants jobs to others as a 
basis for deciding this appeal.

Like OPM, the appellants agency must grade jobs based on comparison to OPM standards and 
guidelines.  However, the agency also has primary responsibility for ensuring that its jobs are 
graded consistently with OPM appeal decisions.  If the appellants consider their jobs so similar 
to others that they all warrant the same classification, the appellants may pursue the matter by 
writing to their human resources office.  In doing so, the appellants should specify the precise 
organizational location, classification, duties, and responsibilities of the jobs in question.  If the 
jobs are found to be basically the same as the appellants, the agency must correct their 
classification to be consistent with this appeal decision.  Otherwise, the agency should explain to 
the appellants the differences between their jobs and the others.

The appellants believe that their handling of biohazardous waste warrants a higher grade.  When 
employees are exposed to conditions of an unusually hazardous nature, they are compensated by 
means of environmental pay differentials rather than job grading.  However, if exposure to 
conditions of an unusual nature is regular and recurring, any related skill and knowledge, and 
responsibility should be taken into account in grading the jobs.

This appeal decision is based on the job description of record, as well as information obtained 
from the appellants, the Operation Service Line Manager, and the supervisor. 

Job information

The appellants are assigned to job description number [Number].  The appellants, Operations 
Service Line Manager, and the supervisor agreed during telephone interviews that the job 
description accurately depicts the appellants work.

The appellants perform the full range of housekeeping duties in assigned areas of the hospital. 
Duties include dusting, dust mopping, wet mopping, and vacuuming; scrubbing floors; handling 
soiled linens; removing sharp containers and bags of general and biohazardous waste; loading 
and operating an automatic steam sterilizer to treat biohazardous waste; cleaning elevators, 
restrooms, drinking fountains, furniture, walls, and windows; replenishing dispensers of tissues, 
paper towels, and toilet paper; cleaning and storing the equipment they use; and requesting and 
storing their supplies.

The appellants receive direction from a housekeeping supervisor who provides general 
instructions and assigns specific tasks or work areas.  Regular cleaning duties are performed 
independently without instructions, although special assignments may require additional 
directions.  The appellants have an Employees Handbook that explains in detail what to do and 
how to do it.  Unusual or unexpected situations are referred to the housekeeping supervisor.  The 
housekeeping supervisor spot-checks work to ensure completion of daily assignments.

Standard determination

FWS JGS for Custodial Worker, 3566, dated September 1968.

Occupation and title determination

The agency determined that the appellants jobs fall within the scope of the Custodial Worker 
series, WG-3566, and elected to use the title Housekeeping Aid, which was approved by OPM 
for use in the VA on November 26, 1968. The appellants do not contest the agency determination 
of their occupational series and title. 

The JGS for the WG-3566 occupation covers jobs involving a variety of janitorial and custodial 
duties including the operation of heavy industrial type power equipment. The appellants primary 
duties consist of cleaning assigned areas of the hospital.  We agree that the WG-3566 series best 
describes the nature of the appellants duties and responsibilities.  

The appellants jobs are properly titled and coded as Housekeeping Aid, WG-3566.

Grade determination

The WG-3566 JGS uses four factors common to all FWS occupations in establishing the grade 
of jobs: skill and knowledge, responsibility, physical effort, and working conditions.  

The JGS for the WG-3566 occupation describes jobs at the grade 1 and 2 levels.  Grade 1 
custodial workers do a variety of cleaning tasks that require light physical effort and involve the 
use of hand or lightweight powered cleaning equipment.  Specific instructions are provided on 
what to clean and the methods to use.  Grade 2 Custodial Workers do work which involves 
higher levels of skills, knowledges, responsibility, physical effort, or working conditions than 
those described at the grade 1 level of this standard.  In most cases, positions must exceed 
several of the work requirements described at grade 1 to be classified at the grade 2 level. 
However, it is possible for a major difference in a single factor to affect the overall level of the 
whole job.  

The appellants jobs generally compare to situation 2 of the grade 2 level where the work 
involves the full range of cleaning duties in an assigned area such as a hospital ward.  Employees 
use various preparations to clean and maintain linoleum, wood, marble, and various kinds of 
floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces.  They remove stains using chemicals and cleaning solutions; run 
powered cleaning equipment; clean and oil equipment; and change brushes and accessories.  The 
appellants jobs are evaluated as follows:

Skill and Knowledge

This factor covers the nature and level of skill, knowledge, and mental application required in 
performing assigned work.  Jobs vary in such ways as the kind, amount, and depth of skill and 
knowledge needed, as well as in the manner, frequency, and extent to which they are used.

At grade 1, the job involves a variety of cleaning tasks that require light physical effort using 
lightweight powered cleaning equipment.  Specific instructions are provided on what to clean 
and the methods to use.  The work requires basic abilities and knowledges that generally require 
no job training or previous work experience.  The employee must be able to use common 
cleaning tools, vacuums, powered waxers, and buffers that require a short training period.  

At the grade 2 level, employees must be able to perform all cleaning duties on their own without 
instruction.   They must know the proper use of a variety of cleaning and sanitizing solutions and 
be able to remove different kinds of stains from a variety of surfaces.   

The appellants jobs exceed the grade 1 level definition and meet the grade 2 level.  The 
appellants use industrial type equipment (i.e., scrubbers and vacuums) to perform assigned 
cleaning tasks such as dust mopping and wet mopping floors; washing walls, windows, and 
drinking fountains; cleaning restrooms and elevators; dusting furniture; collecting and removing 
sharp containers and waste; and replenishing paper products such as toilet tissue, facial tissue, 
and hand towels.  All housekeeping aids handle biohazardous waste, but the appellants are the 
only ones who load and operate an automated sterilizer that treats the waste before it is placed in 
the facility trash compactor.  They are also required to clean the equipment they use.  This, 
however, does not exceed the grade 2 level.  There is no indication that any of the work assigned 
to the appellants exceeds the work described at grade 2.

This factor is evaluated at WG-2.

Responsibility

This factor covers the nature and degree of responsibility involved in performing work.  Jobs 
vary in responsibility in such ways as the complexity and scope of work assigned, the difficulty 
and frequency of judgments and decisions made, the kind of supervisory controls, and the nature 
of work instructions and technical guides used.

At grade 1, workers receive specific instructions for each new task.  They are not usually 
required to use judgment since their work is scheduled for them and checked upon completion.  
At grade 2, situation 2, workers do the full range of cleaning, receiving only general instructions 
and general supervision.   

The appellants jobs exceed the grade 1 level and are comparable to the grade 2 level.  Although 
the supervisor is available and the appellants may consult their Employees Handbook, the 
appellants work under general directions.  Their supervisor only spot-checks their work by 
making routine walk-throughs.  There is no indication in the appeal record that the appellants 
jobs exceed the grade 2 level.

This factor is evaluated at WG-2.

Physical Effort

This factor covers the physical effort exerted in performing assigned work.  Jobs vary in such 
ways as the nature, degree, frequency, and duration of muscular effort or physical strain 
experienced in work performance.

The work at the grade 1 level involves light physical effort, such as that involved in using 
vacuum cleaners and running lightweight powered scrubbers; continually standing, bending, 
stooping, and reaching; frequently lifting and emptying wastebaskets; frequently pushing carts 
loaded with dirty laundry or waste paper; and occasionally lifting and carrying items weighing 
up to about 20 pounds.

At the grade 2 level, moderately heavy effort is used occasionally in moving, setting up, and 
working from ladders.  Use of heavy powered equipment is required but not on a continuous 
basis.

The appellants exceed grade 1 and meet grade 2.  The Operations Service Line Manager and the 
housekeeping supervisor indicated that the appellants might use heavy powered cleaning 
equipment but not on a continual basis.  The appellants must handle soiled linens and bags of 
general and biohazardous waste frequently weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally over 50 
pounds.  They exert moderate physical effort during the course of a day by pushing and 
maneuvering carts to transport soiled linens and bags of waste, bending, lifting, stooping, and 
climbing.  There is no indication in the appeal record that the appellants jobs exceed the grade 2 
level.

This factor is evaluated at WG-2.

Working Conditions

This factor covers the hazards, physical hardships, and working conditions to which workers are 
exposed in performing work.  

Grade 1 custodial workers work indoors in areas which normally have adequate heat, light and 
ventilation.  They are exposed to dirt and disagreeable odors.  Normally, there is a chance only of 
minor injuries such as cuts and bruises.

At the grade 2 level, the employee usually works indoors in areas that normally have adequate 
heat, light, and ventilation.  Occasionally the employee is exposed to skin irritations from strong 
cleaning solutions used in stripping floors, etc., and to serious injuries (e.g., broken bones) from 
falls from ladders or scaffolds.

The appellants exceed grade 1 and meet grade 2.  Information from the Operations Service Line 
Manager, the housekeeping supervisor, and the appellants indicate that working conditions 
generally meet this level and involve the typical occupational hazards of working in a hospital 
environment.  The appellants emphasized their handling of sharp containers and bags of 
biohazardous waste and their loading and operation of the sterilizer.  The Operations Service 
Line Manager and the housekeeping supervisor stated that biohazardous waste handled by the 
appellants is double-bagged, and that the failure of both bags is rare.  In addition, all 
housekeeping aids at the facility handle these items, take appropriate precautions, and are 
required to wear rubber gloves and other protective clothing.  Although the appellants are the 
only housekeeping aids that load the bags of biohazardous waste into the sterilizer, the 
equipment is automated, not complicated to operate, and requires no increased skill.  The 
appellants also wear heat-insulated gloves when loading the waste into the sterilizer.  The intent 
of the grade 2 level is met.

This factor is evaluated at WG-2.

Decision

This job is properly classified as Housekeeping Aid, WG-3566-2.