Safety and Occupational Health Specalist

Summary This position will serve as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist within the Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, within the Directorate of cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), in the Office of Partnerships and Recognition (OPR), located in Washington, D.C. This position is inside the bargaining unit. The full performance level of this position is at the GS-12 grade level. This position is not remote. Selectee will be expected to report to the office above. Duties Major Duties of the Safety and Occupational Health Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following: GS-09: Compiling information and reports needed to assist the Director in determining whether to concur with recommendations. Assisting in developing new or revised approaches and procedures to resolve critical problems encountered in Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) application review and verification, Responding to oral and written requests for technical and program information concerning policies, procedures, and activities. Providing accurate, timely responses to requests for assistance and information (in-person, telephone, email, postal mail, websites, etc.). GS-11: Reviewing regional recommendations for approval, denial, or termination of Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) participation. Representing OSHA in meetings with industry, labor unions, academics, and national safety organizations, explaining regulatory requirements and negotiating understanding of program expectations. Producing analytical materials-spreadsheets, summaries, graphics, source documentation- for use in program evaluations, briefings, and policy discussions. Monitoring safety and health data from enforcement, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and other regulatory/scientific bodies, identifying trends that may influence cooperative program policy or procedures. GS-12 Developing background materials and identifying issues of national significance that may require official interpretations or regulatory clarification. Analyzing complex problems encountered by field staff during VPP application reviews and on-site evaluations and developing new or revised approaches and procedures. Providing technical assistance and on-the-job training in management review of safety and health programs to field staff conducting VPP pre-approval and on-site evaluations. Monitoring new or revised regulations, policy memoranda, safety/health studies, and industry best practices, summarizing impacts and developing recommendations. As the employee progresses, the assignments will become more difficult and complex with less supervision. Qualifications This series has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- 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 Experience Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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. 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 Certificates: Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience. You must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) listed above, and the Specialized Experience below to qualify for the Safety and Occupational Health Specialist as described below. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. For the GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: Conducting research on occupational safety and health topics, program practices, or emerging trends. Compiling technical resources to support knowledge management and program improvements. Reviewing training courses to assess appropriateness of policies and procedures. OR Substitution of Experience: Two years of graduate education or a Master's degree 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. For the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: Analyzing long range impacts of new initiatives or policy changes. Using analytical methods to assess program performance and progress. Identifying trends that point to the need for corrective action and/or suggesting solutions. Applying measurable, quantifiable criteria for evaluating safety and health programs or initiatives. OR Substitution of experience: Three years of progressively higher level related graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in safety or occupational health or related fields. For the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11. Examples of specialized experience include: Analyzing data to evaluate and improve a program, operation, or process. Evaluating safety and health pr