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Fire Protection Engineer

Department of Labor
Mine Safety and Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.
This position is in the Mechanical and Engineering Safety Division, Approval and Certification Center (A&CC). The Division is responsible for administering the requirements of Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations Parts 5, 7, 18, 33, 36, 56, 57, 72, 75 and 77. Conducts complex engineering, scientific, technical evaluations/testing and investigates accidents of safety hazards associated with the mechanical design of mobile mining equipment, fire and explosive devices in underground/surface mining operations; reviews/analyzes plans, documentation, and specifications submitted by manufacturers; responds to requests from manufacturers, mine operators, MSHA, and federal/state agencies when expert knowledge is required in applying regulations and improving design of diverse mechanical equipment, products/components such as: diesel engines, electrical systems, controls on diesel powered equipment to diesel-powered mining machinery; related electro-mechanical safety components; roof drill dust collector systems; braking systems, hydraulic or pneumatic systems; tires and rims; panic bars; wire rope and mine hoists; pressure vessels; process related material handling and piping systems; fuel systems; machine guarding; underground/surface haulage equipment; explosives handling and blasting practices; fire hazard analysis and fire and explosion protection/prevention. Develops permissibility programs, test procedures/techniques involving mechanical safety; proposes new/revised Federal regulations, expertise and guidance on new technologies and monitors research contracts.
-This position has promotion potential to GS-12.
-Promotion Potential: There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected at the GS-12 level. Future promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and supervisory approval.
- This position is inside the bargaining unit.
- Relocation costs will not be paid
-Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
12/21/2016 to 06/16/2017
Salary
$36,021 to - $92,316 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 05 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Triadelphia, WV
FEW vacancies
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 6 Times per year.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
PERMANENT
Work schedule
Full-time - FULL TIME
Service
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
DE-17-PHIL-MSHA-0020
Control number
460238900

This job is open to

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Duties

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At the GS-05: Performs duties in which academic theories and basic knowledge of engineering and sciences are applied to mining equipment, systems, and materials; assist engineers in routine work assignments; receives formal on-the-job instruction and training, designed to familiarize the employee with the functions and operations of the Branch; to provide experience in practical application of basic engineering principles, techniques and concepts; provides engineering or scientific and technical support services; assist during work phases; design, analysis, investigation, studies and/or surveys and informational searches of mining systems, materials and equipment. GS-07: In conjunction with the above; performs duties in which fundamental and general knowledge of fire protection engineering and fire science is applied to assignments involving mining equipment, systems, and materials; prepares written reports and basic oral presentations; develops simple work plans; provides approaches to solution of problems and means for obtaining technical information; assist in specialized projects; assignments involving collection and review of technical documents and data, compilation of data bases, preparation of routine reports.GS-09: As an engineer, conducts technical investigations, and provides technical support concerning the prevention, control and extinguishment of mine fires; processes involving fire and explosion hazards; work ranging from investigations in the laboratory to field investigations on a large-scale at mine sites; develops work plans; provides approaches to solve problems; participates in accident investigations and field evaluations with respect to fire safety and technology; provides technical support for fire and explosion protection and control; conducts technical investigations; determines specialized equipment needs; prepares reports, makes recommendations for corrective actions and improvements; provides engineering or scientific and technical support services; assist during work phases; design, analysis, investigation of various mining technologies and their relation to fire protection and explosion control. GS-11: Conducts investigations on prevention, control and extinguishment of mine fires; plans, organizes and initiates work assignments to provide technical support for fire protection and control relating to the mining industry; collects technical material and maintains competence and resources related to mine fire safety; evaluates suppression systems, installations, storage facilities and other installations as provided by regulations, procedures and recommendations. GS-12: Formulates and conducts complex investigations regarding issues on prevention, control, and extinguishment of mine fires. Provides consultation and advice to MSHA officials and field personnel where a working knowledge of fire properties, fire protection principles and behavioral characteristics associated with combustion of materials is required. Provides evaluation of various approaches, solutions of technical data. Evaluates fire suppression systems for proper protection of mining equpiment, installations, and storage facilities. Plan, organizes and initiates work assignments and provides technical support/assistance, accident investigations and field evaluations with respect to fire and safety and technology.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Requires a medical examination.
  • Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Subject to occasional travel. Requires a valid drivers license.
  • U.S. Citizenship. Must be at least 16 years of age.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.
If you wish to use your education as a basis for meeting the eligibility and/or minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must submit academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements. If specific course work is required to fulfill the eligibility and/or minimum qualification requirements, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit for that course work. See the 'Qualifications and Evaluations' section of this announcement for more details.
If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.
College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education - The Department of Labor does not recognize academic degrees from unauthorized secondary schools or post-secondary institutions that are not accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Qualifications

THIS POSITION HAS AN INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR). APPLICANTS MUST MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IN ADDITION TO MEETING QUALIFICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL GRADE LEVELS.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), positive education requirement: A degree in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR Combination of education and experience: The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration; Written Test; Specified academic courses; or Related curriculum. Please reference OPM.gov: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800/

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE IOR, APPLICANT MUST POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:

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.
Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position being filled. GS-05: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-04, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience include; performing basic engineering theories, concepts and principles; providing engineering or scientific and technical support services to assist higher grade engineers during work phases such as design analysis, investigations, studies or surveys of various mining systems, materials and equipment, with a background in fire protection. GS-07: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience include: Applied fire protection and fire science to assignments involving mining systems, equipment and materials; providing engineering and technical support services to assist higher grade engineers during work phases such as design analysis, investigations, studies or surveys of various mining systems, materials and equipment. Developing simple work plans; providing approaches to solutions of problems and means for obtaining technical information; applying standard engineering or scientific practices, methods and techniques, performed limited engineering work. GS-09: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-07, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience include: Conducting laboratory/field/accident investigations evaluations with respect to fire safety and technology; providing technical support concerning, prevention, control and extinguishment of mine fires, and processes involving fire and explosion hazards. GS-11: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience include: In addition to examples listed at the GS-9, conducting investigations on prevention, control, and extinguishment of mine fires; evaluating fire suppression systems, evaluating and recommending adequacy of materials and constructions used for combustible liquid mine storage facilities, knowledge of fire protection and methods, products used in contemporary mining, and knowledge of related engineering fields that may impact fire safety. GS-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience include: In addition to examples listed at the GS-11, formulates and conducts complex investigations regarding issues on prevention, control, and extinguishment of mine fires. Large scale testing; plans, organizes, and initiates work assignments to provide technical support for fire protection and control relating to principles and behavioral characteristics associated with combustion of materials. The evaluations for suitability of ventilation controls with respect to fire restance and strength and for acceptance of materials used in the mining industry per MSHA regulations. Prepared technical material for presentation, publication, and dissemination in fire safety and extinguishment, combustibility of materials and use of fire resistant products.

Education

OR

Education substitution: GS-5 Applicants who meet the basic IOR requirements qualify for this grade level. In addition to meeting the IOR basic entry qualification requirements: GS-7 , 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement at the GS-9, 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. GS-11, 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. GS-12, 1 year equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11, education is not substitutable at the GS-12 level.

Additional information

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION, PROBATIONARY PERIOD, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company which may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact the vacancy contact on this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses. Categories Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity. Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies required by this position. Category C - Meets the specialized experience described in the minimum qualifications requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies. Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies (click Evaluation Tools for information): Fire Management: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of engineering and fire management, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires; fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource management. Organizational Awareness: Knows the organization’s mission and functions, and how it’s social, political, and technological systems work and operate effectively within them; includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization. Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience, understands, and evaluates technical information. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information. Oral Communications: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens effectively and clarifies information. The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments (ex. interview, panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.) INFORMATION FOR ICTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B WELL-QUALIFIED CATEGORY or higher will be considered "well-qualified". Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.
To preview questions please click here.

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