Become a Key Member of the Ellsworth Air Force Base Community as a Housekeeper

If you have been searching for a stable career opportunity that serves a higher purpose and offers an entryway into the federal system, look no further than Ellsworth Air Force Base. Located in the picturesque landscape of South Dakota, Ellsworth AFB is currently hiring for the position of Custodial Worker (Housekeeper). Administered under the Air Force Global Strike Command, this role is a vital piece of the base's operational machinery.

This position is perfect for individuals seeking flexible employment, veterans transitionally entering civilian work, military spouses looking for base employment, or anyone wanting a fresh start with the federal government. With competitive hourly wages and zero experience requirements, this position is designed to welcome dedicated individuals ready to make a daily difference.

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About the Agency: Air Force Global Strike Command & the 28th Force Support Squadron

The Department of the Air Force operates at the peak of global readiness, and its civilian employees are critical to maintaining that standard. Within the Air Force Global Strike Command, the 28th Force Support Squadron (28 FSS) at Ellsworth AFB is tasked with managing facilities that sustain the quality of life for active-duty personnel, military retirees, and their families.

Ellsworth Air Force Base is not just any military installation; it is one of only two B-1B Lancer bomber bases worldwide. Furthermore, the base has been selected as the premier future operating base and training ground for the nation's next-generation strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider.

By working as a civilian housekeeper within the Rec Lodging division, you directly support the comfort, morale, and readiness of the personnel who fly, maintain, and support these vital aircraft missions. Your everyday work ensures that visitors, relocating families, and high-ranking personnel experience top-tier hospitality when staying on base.

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Job Responsibilities: Maintaining High Standards of Hospitality

As a Custodial Worker (Housekeeper), your work is tangible and highly valued. This is a hands-on position requiring diligence, physical stamina, and attention to detail. Every clean room represents a welcoming space for an airman or their family during a time of transition.

Daily Duties and Work Tasks:

• Room and Common Area Sanitation: Clean lodging guest suites, corridors, stairways, common lounges, and assigned facility spaces to a spotless standard.
• Floor Care Operations: Sweep, dry mop, wet scrub, wax, and polish floors. Utilize hand tools, brooms, lightweight vacuum cleaners, and lightweight floor scrubbers or buffers.
• Detail Cleaning: Dust, wax, and polish wood furniture. Sanitize appliances, clean cooking utensils, and wash guest dishes as required.
• Linen Management: Change bed linens, make beds to military lodging specifications, collect soiled linen for pickup, and restock clean supplies in designated areas.
• Restroom Sanitization: Clean, disinfect, and deodorize toilets, urinals, mirrors, sinks, and water fountains.
• Administrative and System Updates: Log room statuses, checkouts, and room occupancy using the lodge's designated telephone tracking systems.
• Maintenance Reporting: Identify and proactively report broken windows, leaking pipes, clogged drains, or other hazardous conditions to the supervisor to initiate maintenance work orders.
• Supply and Inventory Management: Maintain a secure stock of cleaning supplies and tools; alert management when materials are running low or when equipment needs repair.

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General Job Requirements

This position is structured as an entry-level role, meaning the barrier to entry is low, but the standards of performance remain high. You do not need a background in professional hospitality to qualify. The Department of the Air Force is looking for individuals with a strong work ethic who are ready to learn.

Qualification Criteria:

• Experience & Education: No formal experience or education is required to qualify. If you can follow simple oral and written instructions and physically perform the work, you are fully qualified to apply.
• Instructional Ability: Demonstrated capacity to interpret safety instructions, cleaning chemicals guidelines, and daily shift rosters.
• Physical Demands: This role involves continuous standing, bending, reaching, walking, and operating lightweight equipment. Candidates must be physically capable of performing the full range of these duties.
• Citizen Status: Open to U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Nationals who have resided continuously in a U.S. Territory for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to their employment.
• Direct Deposit: All Non-Appropriated Fund employees must participate in direct deposit for payroll processing.

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Salary Overview & Comparison

This position pays a competitive hourly wage based on a Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) pay scale, providing a great local wage in the South Dakota region.

Below is a comparison highlighting how this NAF position compares to a traditional General Schedule (GS) federal career path:

Feature	NAF Flexible Housekeeper (This Role)	Traditional GS-1/GS-2 Custodial Role
Hourly Pay Range	$17.19 - $20.05 per hour	$15.00 - $18.00 per hour (dependent on locality)
Schedule Security	Flexible (up to 40 hours, based on operational need)	Fixed full-time or part-time hours
Minimum Experience	None required (entry-level)	Often requires 3-6 months general experience
Primary Funding Source	Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) revenues	Congressional tax appropriations
Hiring Pathway Speed	Typically faster hiring and onboarding cycles	Slower, more rigid federal hiring protocols

Because this position is funded under the NAF program, it bypasses some of the lengthy processing times often associated with appropriated GS-level positions, allowing you to get to work and start earning much faster.

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Benefits of Federal Civilian Employment

Even as a flexible NAF employee, working on a military installation like Ellsworth AFB provides access to premium perks that private-sector cleaning positions simply cannot match:

• MWR Facility Access: Enjoy access to base fitness centers, bowling alleys, libraries, and civilian recreational programs operated by the 28th Force Support Squadron.
• Career Growth: Working for NAF serves as an outstanding 'foot in the door' for future promotions or transfers to other permanent, full-time federal career tracks across both civilian and defense agencies.
• Community Impact: Work in a highly patriotic, respectful, and safe community environment alongside active-duty military members and fellow dedicated DOD civilian personnel.

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Application Tips to Help You Stand Out

Federal resumes are evaluated differently than those in the private sector. To ensure your application makes it past human resources and onto the hiring manager's desk, use the following tips:

1. Do Not Keep It Short: Unlike commercial 1-page resumes, federal resumes should be highly detailed. List all jobs, dates, hours worked, volunteer activities, and the specific duties you performed.
2. Highlight Transferable Skills: If you clean your home, help maintain a local church, or volunteered for a community project, detail those tasks. Mentioning your ability to safely use standard cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaners is highly relevant.
3. Sanitize Your Documents: If you are uploading military orders (e.g., for Military Spouse Preference), make sure to black out or sanitize any sensitive personal data of other family members before uploading to the system.
4. Include References Upfront: Proactively provide names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers for both personal and professional references directly in your resume to help speed up the background check and selection processes.
5. Answer the Questionnaire Honestly but Confidently: The questionnaire is used to determine your basic eligibility. Ensure your resume fully documents the tasks that support your self-assessment answers.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Military Spouses get preference for this role?

Yes. This job announcement is open to individuals claiming Military Spouse Preference (MSP), as well as veterans, transition preference, and business-based action candidates. Be sure to check the appropriate eligibility boxes on your application questionnaire and upload your supporting orders or marriage license to qualify.

What are the hours for a 'flexible' schedule?

Flexible schedules do not guarantee a set number of hours per week. However, flexible housekeepers are routinely scheduled to cover high-occupancy days and busy weekend checkout periods, working anywhere from a few hours a week up to a full 40-hour work week.

Is a physical exam required before starting work?

While there is no formal medical examination, candidates must be capable of standing, bending, reaching, and operating commercial cleaning machinery during their shift without limitations.

Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?

U.S. Citizens are preferred. However, Non-U.S. Nationals who have continuously lived in a U.S. Territory for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to their hire date are eligible to apply.

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Working as a Custodial Worker (Housekeeper) at Ellsworth AFB is more than a job—it is a critical support role that contributes to the combat readiness of the United States Air Force. By taking care of the living spaces of our servicemen and women, you enable them to focus on the defense of our nation. With zero experience required, competitive pay up to $20.05 an hour, and a path into the federal system, this is an opportunity you do not want to let pass. Apply today to secure your place in Team Ellsworth!