U.S. Citizens; Interagency Career Transition Assistance Prog and Career Transition Assistance Prog eligibles in the local commuting area.
Also advertised as job #MS-19-PHIL-MSHA-0001 for status applicants, VEOA eligibles. To be considered for each, apply to BOTH jobs.
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center (PSHTC), Physical and Toxic Agents Division in South Park, PA.
The Physical and Toxic Agents Division provides technical assistance to MSHA enforcement personnel and mine operators nationwide in the recognition, evaluation, and control of broad industrial hygiene health hazards associated with coal and metal/non-metal mining industries. Field investigations and fatal/non-fatal accident investigations are conducted with respect to physical and toxic hazards. Information regarding harmful physical and toxic agents in the mining environment is gathered and analyzed for exposure determination and development of practical exposure controls. The Division conducts surveys, demonstrations, and experiments to provide the latest scientific data in support of enforcement activities and to assist mine operators in achieving compliance with established exposure standards. The Division maintains specialized instrumentation, analytical, and experimental laboratories, including: radon and acoustical instrument calibration laboratories; experimental laboratories for the evaluation of industrial hygiene instrumentation, hearing protection, and noise controls; and gas chromatography laboratories, including an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory for the analysis of organic compounds. Additionally, the Division manages and maintains several mobile gas laboratories for emergency response and deployment to mine fires or other emergency events.
The incumbent services as the Supervisor of the Toxic Agents Branch, responsible for the planning, implementation, direction, and review of work performed by subordinate professional and technician employees. Develops and maintains in-house capabilities for the evaluation and interpretation of the products of combustion formed during mine fires. Directs, maintains, and develops gas chromatography analytical laboratories, including mobile gas laboratories for deployment and on-site gas analysis during mine emergencies. Directs a group of professionals in responding to field and accident investigations involving chemical hazards; provides technical expertise in the area of instrumentation and methodology for the measurement of toxic agents in the mining environment. Plans and coordinates individual assigned projects involving the measurement and assessment of toxic hazards; makes technical decisions when problems arise. Technically evaluates and makes recommendations on research projects; serves on technical committees for projects in area of technical expertise. Assists other professionals in the field of industrial hygiene for the measurement and assessment of toxic agents in developing standards through participation in technical standard committees. Provides expert testimony in the area of instrumentation and measurement of toxic agents for the purpose of standards and regulation development and litigation; represents the Division at technical meetings as an expert in instrumentation, measurement, and assessment of toxic agents both within the Department and outside the Department, for the purpose of developing consistent measurement and assessment policy.
Plans and assigns work to subordinates, setting priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work, considering the difficulty of the assignments and capabilities of employees. Gives advice, counsel, or instructions to individual employees on both work and administrative matters. Ensures that employees are kept informed on all matters, which may affect their employment. Interviews candidates for positions in the Branch, making recommendations for appointment, promotion, or reassignment. Evaluates the performance of subordinates.
Hears and resolves complaints from employees. Refers more serious complaints which are not resolved to higher-level supervisors. Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands. Recommends action in more serious cases. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing or making provisions for such developmental training.
Ensures equal opportunity for all Branch employees for training, promotion, awards and recognition and other career development opportunities. Responsible for the on the job safety and health of Branch employees; supporting established safety programs, identifying and correcting safety hazards, reviewing and reporting loss incidents and inspection of work areas; Labor-Management relations and any applicable labor agreements.
Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
Requires a security clearance.
Must be at least 16 years old and an U.S. Citizenship.
Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.
Qualifications
THIS POSITION HAS AN INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR EACH ADVERTISED OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE SERIES THEY ARE APPLYING FOR IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.
GENERAL ENGINEER
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; 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 -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
A bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science;
OR
A bachelor’s degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene;
Evaluation of Education: All science or engineering courses offered in fulfillment of the above requirements must be acceptable for credit toward the completion of a standard 4-year professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in science or engineering at an accredited college or university.
PHYSICAL SCIENTIST
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
CHEMIST
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
A. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE
In addition to meeting the applicable Individual Occupational Requirement, Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position being filled. Examples of specialized experience include:
Experience conducting or directing industrial hygiene investigations involving the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of chemical or radiological hazards.
Experience conceiving, planning, implementing or directing, developing or maintaining analytical laboratories and capabilities, such as gas chromatography analysis capabilities.
Experience directing professionals in evaluating health hazards involving chemical or radiological hazards in mining and/or general industry.
Providing technical expertise on industrial hygiene instrumentation used for the identification and measurement of chemical or radiological hazards.
Providing technical expertise on the selection of sampling and analytical methodologies for the collection and analysis of chemical hazards.
Planning and coordinating individual assigned projects involving chemical or radiological hazard measurement and assessment.
Conducting or directing health-related technical training involving chemical or radiological hazards.
Education
There is no educational substitution in lieu of experience at this grade level.
*Please note that all applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for each Occupational Series for which they wish to be considered as stated in this announcement's "Qualifications" section.
Additional information
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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:
Industrial Hygiene: Broad professional knowledge of industrial hygiene principles and practices to provide technical assistance and coordinate industrial hygiene studies, surveys, evaluations, and accident investigations with an emphasis on chemical and radiological hazards. Industrial Hygiene Instrumentation: Knowledge of industrial hygiene instrumentation utilized to collect samples and characterize hazardous exposures to chemical and radiological hazards. Analytical Laboratory: Knowledge of analytical chemistry to manage Gas Chromatography laboratories and provide consultation to technical personnel. Interpersonal/Communication Skills: Provides industrial hygiene consultative and training services to Agency, other governmental entities, and industry personnel. Represents the Agency on technical committees and in litigation proceedings. Technical Writing: Prepares technical reports, memoranda, letters, presentations and briefings to document or transmit orally technical information for use and guidance of Agency personnel and other professionals. Leadership: Directs industrial hygiene and analytical activities within the branch. Establishes priorities, goals, and timelines and monitors employee progress. Recruits, selects, hires, trains, and evaluates the performance and development needs of employees. Regulatory Knowledge: Knowledge of regulations to ensure health and safety of Agency employees. Skill in communicating and interpreting regulatory requirements.
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 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.
INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified".
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.
- Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Active Duty). Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. For more information, go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents – Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted
Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
– Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - submit if using education as a basis for qualifying for this position. If so, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, PHD, etc). If specific course work is required to qualify, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.
You may upload your transcript(s) as one document (3 MB size limit). If over 3 MB, please submit via fax feature.
OFFICIAL Transcripts MUST BE RECEIVED prior to selection and report date. Reference the “Education Section” for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Note: If you are unsure, refer to your last or most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) or ask your servicing Human Resources Specialist.) If you don’t know what type of appointment you are on, you may find copies of your SF-50s in your electronic personnel folder (eOPF).
Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.
SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/.
STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.
STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS) Once you have identified a job on www.usajobs.gov that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the Apply button . For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.
STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL) On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application” The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.
STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.
Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration
The Curtis Center
170 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 600 East
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and refer candidates for selection consideration. Candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.
- Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Active Duty). Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. For more information, go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents – Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted
Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
– Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - submit if using education as a basis for qualifying for this position. If so, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, PHD, etc). If specific course work is required to qualify, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.
You may upload your transcript(s) as one document (3 MB size limit). If over 3 MB, please submit via fax feature.
OFFICIAL Transcripts MUST BE RECEIVED prior to selection and report date. Reference the “Education Section” for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Note: If you are unsure, refer to your last or most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) or ask your servicing Human Resources Specialist.) If you don’t know what type of appointment you are on, you may find copies of your SF-50s in your electronic personnel folder (eOPF).
Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.
SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/.
STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.
STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS) Once you have identified a job on www.usajobs.gov that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the Apply button . For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.
STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL) On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application” The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.
STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.
Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration
The Curtis Center
170 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 600 East
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and refer candidates for selection consideration. Candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.
