Laundry Assistant

SUMMARY: Responsible for the proper sorting, inspecting, processing, folding and storing of linens used in guest rooms and in hotel food and beverage operations, as well as the processing and finishing of uniforms for staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility in a safe and satisfactory manner, and the individual must be punctual and have a good attendance record, and have reliable means of transportation to work. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• All employees are required to assist any customer or potential customer in a prompt, courteous, friendly, and helpful manner at all times.
• Separates items according to type of fabric and color.
• Loads articles into washer, adds specified amount of detergent, soap or other cleansing agent.
• Fills washer with water and starts machine that automatically washes and rinses articles.
• Lifts clean, wet articles from washer and places them in wringers and dryers for measured time cycles.
• Sorts dried articles according to identification number or type, folds, stacks, or hangs laundered articles as appropriate.
• Inspects the general condition of the laundered articles and linen, determining whether the items have been adequately cleaned and are stain-free.
• When sorting and inspecting articles, makes decisions regarding the “useful life” of the laundered items, separating those articles that have excessive damage, tears, stains, etc.
• Removes and cuts corners off any towels that are permanently stained. Mends torn articles using needle and thread.
• Cleans dryer filter typically after every 2nd load and after every towel load. Removes lint from dryer at end of every shift and maintains log on lint removal.
• Mixes and soaks dyes, bleaches and neutralizer solutions to clean laundry articles according to Company policy and procedures regarding proper usage of cleaning products, usage of safety equipment.
• Keeps laundry room and equipment clean.
• Assists with linen inventories. Sorts and counts soiled items left in laundry at end of shift on inventory days.
• Reports guest or employee safety hazards, maintenance problems or needed repairs to management immediately. Understands and follows blood-borne pathogen precautions and procedures.
• Assists in housekeeping as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum one month related experience or training preferred but not required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must have developed language skills to the point to be able to:

• Read, in English, a limited number of two- and three-syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers.
• Ability to speak to customers and employees using simple English phrases and sentences.

REASONING ABILITY: Must have developed reasoning abilities to the point to be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and continuously perform the prescribed cleaning tasks for significantly extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; see, especially to inspect, clean, mend, sort and fold articles; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Inside: Generally protected from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. A job is considered "inside" if the worker spends approximately 75 percent or more of the time inside.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work effectively in a stressful environment, communicate effectively with others, effectively deal with guests, and accept constructive criticism from supervisors.
• Must be able to change activity frequently and cope with interruptions.
• Must be able to work according to a set schedule including weekends and holidays as required.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Essential functions of this job are described under the headings above. The job requirements and features are subject to change from time to time due to the then-current needs and requirements of the Company and/or the hotel.