SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to perform work in a broad range of occupational safety program elements, such as inspections/surveys, assessments, evaluations, mishap investigations, and safety training.

Duties

DUTY 1: Performs a broad range of safety and occupational health duties in one or more areas of safety and occupational health. DUTY 2: Plans and carries out formal investigations of reportable and non-reportable mishaps involving personal injury accidents, property damage, covering a wide range of work operations. DUTY 3: Develops specialized operating practices, modifying or departing significantly from standard techniques when necessary based on interpretation of policies, standards, and regulations. DUTY 4: Reviews plans and specifications for new construction, major building alterations, and/or changes in installation equipment and monitors project through completion to ensure compliance with safety codes and standards. DUTY 5: Provides technical safety training/instruction to supervisors, employees, and/or unit safety representatives on a wide range of work operations areas, such as traffic safety techniques, proper storage of hazardous materials, common laboratory hazards, and building evacuation procedures.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include managing safety or occupational health program elements. Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management. Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements. Developing safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards. Developing or implementing programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses. Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards. Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate hazards .Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards. Training of workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects. Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse. OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of numerous established safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures, laws, regulations, and current legislative issues as they relate to the military installation occupational safety program; the requirements, methods, and techniques of accident and mishap investigation, analysis, resolution of normal occupational safety problems/health risks, and formal reporting procedures; and risk assessment methods and techniques for evaluating normal safety and occupational health risks. 2. Knowledge of communication techniques, principles, and regulations to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in responding to work related problems and questions. 3. Knowledge of basic construction standards, methods, practices, techniques, materials, and equipment to determine compliance with regulations and standards. 4. Knowledge of standard training techniques, methods, and materials sufficient to prepare and present formal training and instructional sessions. 5. Skill in the interpretation of engineering drawings and specifications sufficient to identify hazardous conditions in proposed facilities. 6. Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.