How would you describe your job? In the realm of environmental services, I'm involved primarily in hard-surface floors, whether it be carpet or tile; basically the maintenance and upkeep of hard-surface floors using floor finishes — we don't call it wax anymore — and chemicals and detergents.

(ENLARGE)

Ray Steffens, age 60 Elizabeth City Floor-Care Technician Albemarle Hospital, 2 years at Albemarle Hospital (30 total)

Has your job been affected by changes in technology or other changes? Absolutely. Since I started work in this business back in '78, I've seen the advent of the high-speed buffer, which is a buffer that is a part of preventive care, that runs up and down the floor, and the high-speed buffering pads give it a much better shine. And, stronger floor strippers, which save time.

Besides salary, what benefits do you derive from your work? Seeing the results of your work; seeing the difference in an old, dingy floor and a newly refinished floor. When I get done with a floor, you can see a difference, a result. It also leads to a cleaner environment. It's a sense of accomplishment.

What are the long-term or indirect benefits of your job? A cleaner environment, a better looking facility. You have visitors, and we have a board of commissioners that look around, and they see improvements, and that's a good thing.

How do you see your job benefiting the larger community? I think it goes back to how people view us and view the hospital in general — that it's a better place,because you can see it's a clean facility. And it's prestige — to have a facility that makes our administrators proud.

— Robert Kelly-Goss