Laundry Technician – Corrections & Care Facilities

POSITION OBJECTIVE:The Laundry Technician is responsible for coordinating and performing daily laundry operations supporting Pennington County correctional and care facilities. This position ensures the timely collection, sorting, washing, drying, folding, inventory, and distribution of laundry, linens, inmate/client clothing, bedding, and related supplies.

The Laundry Technician directs and trains inmate/client/detainee workers assigned to laundry operations and is responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory levels of clothing, bedding, linens, laundry products, and other assigned items. The position also provides limited operational support to the facility kitchen through supply stocking and inventory.

SCHEDULE: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate and perform daily laundry operations for the Jail, Care Campus, JSC, and other assigned facilities.
• Collect, transport, sort, wash, dry, fold, organize, and distribute clothing, bedding, towels, linens, and other laundry items.
• Train, direct, and supervise inmate/client/detainee workers assigned to laundry duties, including proper work procedures, sanitation practices, safety requirements, and use of equipment.
• Monitor assigned workers to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to established facility standards.
• Maintain appropriate separation and handling of clean, soiled, contaminated, and specialty laundry.
• Maintain organized storage areas and accurate inventories of inmate/client clothing, uniforms, bedding, blankets, linens, towels, hygiene items, laundry chemicals, and related supplies.
• Receive deliveries, verify quantities, stock supplies, rotate inventory, and maintain organized storage areas.
• Monitor laundry supply and usage and communicate anticipated needs or unusual consumption to the supervisor.
• Ensure the proper destruction and disposal of worn, damaged, or otherwise unserviceable clothing, bedding, linens, and related items in accordance with established County and facility procedures.
• Maintain records related to inventory, supply orders, laundry operations, and distribution as required.
• Perform routine visual inspections of laundry equipment and promptly report equipment problems or maintenance needs to Buildings & Grounds maintenance staff.
• Follow applicable infection-control, sanitation, chemical-handling, PPE, and facility security procedures.
• Safely operate a County-owned vehicle and carts necessary to transport laundry and supplies between assigned facilities.
• Maintain appropriate security and accountability when working within correctional and secured facilities.
• Maintain compliance with all County policies and procedures.
  
  This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position.   Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required. 

 Education and/or Experience Required:

• HS Diploma or GED required.   
• Previous experience in commercial laundry, institutional laundry, corrections, custodial services, food service, inventory management, warehousing, or a related field preferred.
• Basic computer skills and ability to maintain inventory and ordering records.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid South Dakota Driver’s license within 90 days of moving to South Dakota.   

Working Environment:

• Work is primarily performed within correctional, care, laundry, kitchen, storage, and institutional environments.
• Position includes regular interaction with inmates, detainees, clients, and/or trustees.
• May be exposed to machinery with moving parts, heat, humidity, wet conditions, laundry and cleaning chemicals, bodily fluids, contaminated materials, and contagious or infectious diseases.
• Work may require use of protective equipment including gloves, masks, eye protection, and other PPE.
• Position requires regular travel and movement between assigned County facilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Must be able to regularly push and pull loaded laundry and supply carts.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.
• Must be able to sit, walk, stand, climb, balance and use hands and arms to reach and feel.     
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.