Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Summary

Employee will serve as a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist located at the East Orange, NJ VA facility. The primary purpose of this position includes the responsibility for the day-to-day administration and execution of the facility safety and fire prevention program, including preparation of all policies, reports, safety, occupational health and fire prevention-related correspondence.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The primary purpose of this position includes the responsibility for the day-to-day administration and execution of the facility safety and fire prevention program, including preparation of all policies, reports, safety, occupational health and fire prevention-related correspondence. Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Ensures that inspection and testing of all fire protection equipment and systems is accomplished in accordance with codes and policies. Ensures that inspections of fire extinguishers throughout the facility and testing of the fire alarm system are conducted on an ongoing basis and directs overall program. Investigates lost-time accidents and fire incidents. Prepares analyses of accident and injury trends for review and action by the facility Safety Committee. Reviews all accident reports for completeness, accuracy and adequacy of corrective actions. Conducts accident investigations and checks and analyzes accidents, illnesses, hazardous conditions and code deficiencies for the purpose of informing management and meeting report schedules. Accident investigations consist of visiting the accident scene and interviewing staff and visitors as needed, investigating the cause of the accident, and making recommendations on how they can be prevented. Compiles reports on accident statistics. Schedules hazard evaluations of any identified hazards and reviews all reports of hazards for completeness, accuracy and adequacy of corrective actions. Conducts general and fire safety training classes for all employees, including special supervisory training classes in fire and occupational safety. Designs and executes an employee awareness program in safety, and informing services of employees trained. Schedules, conducts and documents fire drills and emergency preparedness drills in all areas of the facility. Acts as co- chair of Emergency Preparedness Committee and follows up on deficiencies found during Emergency Preparedness Drills. Conducts workplace inspections throughout the facility and storage areas. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum qualification requirements to qualify for this Safety and Occupational Health Specialist GS-11 position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one full year of specialized experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience includes: 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. NOTE: Resume(s) must clearly support the qualifying experience to receive credit. We will not make assumptions regarding experience. For additional position details, please review the announcement duties section. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Successfully completed a 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. Education must include a Major study in safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education (in excess of 2 years) and experience as described above may be used to meet total qualification requirements. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: The work involves the frequent performance of surveys and on-site visits to areas within the Medical Center complex and off station to laboratory and maintenance shops necessitating prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, stooping, climbing, reaching, and lifting moderately weighted items. May be required to lift and carry moderately heavy objects occasionally. May have to enter a hazardous environment (with safety precautions observed and attired in personal protection equipment such as respirators, coveralls, etc.) when conducting inspections and/or testing and monitoring. The Safety and Occupational Health Specialist normally performs duties in an office environment that is well ventilated as well as hazardous areas where he/she is frequently exposed to mechanical hazards ranging from power tools to operating machinery and chemical and biological hazards while performing laboratory and maintenance shop survey. Must adhere to safety and environmental protection policies and procedures and techniques. Consistently uses proper body mechanics, appropriate lifting equipment and personal protective equipment to prevent injury to self and/or patient on a daily basis. Anticipates potential safety hazards, takes action to promote a safe and therapeutic environment. May be required to work long and irregular hours during the course of emergency response or to accomplish mandated inspection and training requirements. The work environment involves frequent exposure to moderate risk situations, some discomforts, unpleasant working conditions, and adverse weather conditions, hot, cold, dry and wet. Safety or security precautions sometimes are necessary and the employee may have to