Full-Time

Program Manager

Environmental Services Director

Deadline 8/25/26
Akima

Akima

1,001-5,000 employees

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

Compensation Overview

$150k/yr

Bethesda, MD, USA

In Person

Category
Business & Strategy (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Facilities Management, or a related field required
  • Master's degree strongly preferred
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in environmental services/housekeeping management, with at least 7 years in a large, complex acute care hospital setting (200+ beds highly desirable)
  • Proven experience managing EVS operations within a research hospital, academic medical center, or facility with significant laboratory operations is ESSENTIAL
  • Demonstrated experience managing large budgets ($5M+) and complex staffing models (100+ FTEs)
  • Extensive experience with Joint Commission standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, CDC guidelines, and OSHA regulations
  • Experience in unionized environments preferred
  • Licenses/Certifications: Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) required (or must obtain within 6-12 months of hire); Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or Training in Infection Prevention highly desirable
  • Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Deep expertise in hospital infection control principles, disinfection protocols, hazardous materials management, specialized cleaning for ORs, ICUs, and BSL labs
  • Leadership: strategic thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, change management, ability to inspire and develop large teams
  • Financial Acumen: budgeting, financial analysis, cost-control skills
  • Communication: outstanding verbal, written, interpersonal communication; technology proficiency in EVS management software, CMMS, MS Office Suite, and data analytics tools
  • Regulatory Acumen: understanding of healthcare and research regulatory landscape
  • Customer Focus: commitment to patient, visitor, and staff satisfaction
  • Physical demands and work environment include significant walking, standing, ability to respond to emergencies 24/7
  • Regulatory and accreditation readiness and documentation practices
Responsibilities
  • Lead long-term planning for resource allocation, staffing models, technology adoption (e.g., UV disinfection, tracking systems), and process improvements
  • Represent EVS on critical hospital committees (Infection Prevention & Control, Environment of Care, Safety, Research Safety/Biosafety, Patient Experience, Construction Planning)
  • Oversee the daily operations of all EVS functions across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, operating rooms, procedural areas, emergency department, research laboratories (requiring specialized protocols), administrative offices, public spaces, and grounds (if applicable)
  • Ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality cleaning, disinfection, waste management, and linen services meeting or exceeding Joint Commission, CDC, OSHA, EPA, FDA (for device reprocessing areas if applicable), and specific research safety (e.g., NIH, BSL protocols) standards
  • Develop and manage complex staffing schedules, workflows, and productivity metrics for a large, diverse, and often unionized workforce across multiple shifts, 24/7/365
  • Implement and enforce specialized cleaning protocols for high-risk areas (Isolation Rooms, ORs, ICUs, BSL Labs, Oncology, Transplant Units)
  • Infection Prevention & Environmental Safety: Serve as the primary EVS expert and partner to the Infection Prevention & Control department. Proactively identify and mitigate infection risks related to the environment
  • Ensure strict adherence to disinfection techniques, chemical dilution, contact times, and proper use of EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants
  • Oversee outbreak response and terminal cleaning procedures
  • Manage hazardous waste (biological, chemical, pharmaceutical) disposal programs in collaboration with Safety/EHS, especially critical for research labs
  • Financial & Resource Management: Develop, manage, and control a multi-million-dollar annual operating budget for labor, supplies, equipment, and contracts
  • Lead the RFP process, negotiate, and manage contracts with external vendors (e.g., waste disposal, linen, pest control, specialized cleaning services)
  • Optimize inventory control and supply chain management for cleaning chemicals, equipment, and consumables
  • Authorize capital expenditures for equipment and technology
  • Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, hire, mentor, develop, and retain a high-performing team of managers, supervisors, and frontline EVS staff
  • Foster a culture of safety, quality, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement within the department
  • Ensure comprehensive, role-specific training programs (including onboarding, safety, infection control, research lab protocols, customer service, technical skills)
  • Manage performance, conduct evaluations, address performance issues, and recognize excellence
  • Quality Assurance, Compliance & Regulatory Readiness: Design, implement, and oversee robust QA/PI programs using data analytics (ATP testing, visual audits, infection rate correlation)
  • Ensure continuous readiness for all regulatory and accreditation surveys (Joint Commission, CMS, CDC, State Health Dept, College of American Pathologists - CAP for labs)
  • Maintain meticulous documentation of procedures, training, audits, and corrective actions
  • Analyze performance data and patient/staff satisfaction scores to drive improvement
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with clinical leaders, Research Leadership/PIs, Facilities Management, Safety/EHS, Materials Management, and Administration
  • Act as the primary point of contact for EVS-related concerns, proactively addressing issues and communicating effectively
  • Champion the role of EVS in patient safety, research integrity, and the overall hospital mission
Desired Qualifications
  • Master’s degree strongly preferred
  • Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or Training in Infection Prevention highly desirable
  • Experience with NIH, BSL protocols may be desirable but not strictly listed
  • Exposure to clinical or research laboratory environments could be considered desirable

Akima provides services to the U.S. federal government across facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, mission support, FF&E, and construction. It delivers contracted, integrated services to help government missions succeed. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, Akima aims to create long-term value for its parent while achieving superior outcomes for customers, guided by Iñupiat values. Its differentiators include Alaska Native ownership, a broad multi-domain service footprint, and a focus on federal missions; its goal is to support customer missions and sustain value for NANA and the Iñupiat community.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Founded

1995

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Acquired Pinnacle Solutions, enhancing defense training and sustainment capabilities.
  • Appointed Lauren Cates as VP for Emerging Markets Group to expand mission-critical tech.
  • Appointed Marcus Lopez as COO with 30 years experience to drive operational excellence.

What critics are saying

  • 8(a) subsidiaries graduate, losing sole-source edges to General Dynamics and CACI.
  • FY2026 NDAA shifts DoD cloud contracts to AWS and Azure, crushing Akima's IT revenue.
  • NANA shareholder lawsuits over fund mismanagement halt $500M+ pipelines via audits.

What makes Akima unique

  • Akima delivers agile solutions in facilities, IT, logistics, and construction as NANA subsidiary.
  • Ranked #31 on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.
  • Provides mission support to Sandia National Laboratories in high-security environments.

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Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Company News

PR Newswire
Feb 19th, 2026
Akima appoints Lauren Cates as VP of business development for Emerging Markets Group

Akima, a federal government solutions provider, has appointed Lauren Cates as vice president of business development for its Emerging Markets Group. Cates will lead growth strategy and expand the company's presence in delivering mission-critical technologies to government and military customers. Cates brings over 15 years of federal contracting experience. She previously led Indigo IT's growth team, securing major contracts in cybersecurity, cloud and enterprise IT services, and spent more than a decade with Bowhead Family of Companies managing billion-dollar pipelines. Akima, a subsidiary of Alaska Native Corporation NANA, employs over 11,000 people and delivers solutions across IT, logistics, aerospace and construction. The company ranked #31 on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

PR Newswire
Feb 12th, 2026
Akima appoints Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer to drive operational excellence

Akima, a federal government contractor, has appointed Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer. Lopez will report to president and CEO Bill Monet and oversee operational excellence and customer delivery. Lopez brings over 30 years of experience in government and commercial sectors. Most recently, he served as president and chief growth officer at Belcan, a Cognizant company, where he led the integration of a $20 billion enterprise. Previously, he headed ManTech's Advanced Research Technology Business Unit. A former US Navy officer and pilot, Lopez commanded an elite strike/fighter squadron. Akima is a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, employing 11,000 people and delivering solutions in IT, aerospace, construction and other areas. The company ranked 31st on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

WashingtonExec
Apr 12th, 2023
Akima Buys Pinnacle Solutions | WashingtonExec

Akima has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a provider of training and sustainment products and services to defense