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Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

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

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

  • This position is inside the bargaining unit.  
  • Full Performance Level for this position is the GS-12.
  • A writing sample may be required at the time of interview. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2020 to 05/20/2020
Salary
$44,769 to - $76,274 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 07 - 09
Locations
Naperville, IL
1 vacancy
Peoria, IL
1 vacancy
Columbus, OH
1 vacancy
Milwaukee, WI
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel is required to examine worksites.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the need for an employee promoted to the higher level, and supervisory approval.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
MS-20-BOS-OSHA-285
Control number
567578700

Duties

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Major Duties for this Position:

At the GS-07 level, you will participate as a member of an inspection team led by a higher-graded specialist and assist in the planning of and/or conduct a limited segment of a major investigation or a small investigation where the exposure and type of hazard and unsafe working conditions is predictable in advance. Researches and studies records and files covering mishaps, injuries, and equipment maintenance data.  Assists in the documentation of conducted portions of investigations to help support a legally sufficient case.  Prepares final report or assigned portion of report using the automated system.  Assists in preparing for opening and closing conferences and outreach activities.

At the GS-09 level, you will assist in planning and conducting portions or limited inspections or compliance reviews (or independently conduct inspections of business establishments and worksites whose operations are generally characterized by the presence of moderately stable, low-risk processes or some higher hazards or unsafe working conditions or technically difficult operations which are covered by specific written guidelines) in establishments and worksites. Studies records and files covering mishaps, injuries, and equipment maintenance data. Inspects worksites, machine and equipment operations, environmental conditions, work practices, protective devices and equipment, and safety procedures. Conducts research assignments using internet technology to prepare for onsite inspections or in response to requests for information.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
  • Requires a valid drivers license. Requires a medical examination.
  • U.S. Citizenship and must be at least 16 years old.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Subject to drug test prior to appointment at GS-11 level.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

Experience:

Specialized Experience: is experience 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 Safety & Occupational Health Specialist.

For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience in at least three of the following: 

  • Participating as a member of a team responsible for conducting occupational safety and/or occupational health inspections of workplaces;
  • Identifying occupational health and safety hazards;
  • Evaluating or assisting in the evaluation of occupational safety and health programs;
  • Interpreting and/or applying basic occupational safety and health standards and criteria to unsafe working conditions;
  • Writing entire or segments of an occupational safety and health inspection report, evaluation, analysis, or review;
  • Providing general information about occupational safety and health regulations, activities, policies, and initiatives to interested parties (i.e., employers and/or employees and/or governmental agencies and/or private sector parties and/or members of the general public).

For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-07, in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience in at least six of the following:

Assisting in the planning of and/or conducting occupational safety and/or occupational health inspections of workplaces.  These inspections involve some or all of the following:

    • Machine operations.
    • Equipment operations.
    • Environmental conditions.
    • Work practices.
    • Protective devices and/or protective equipment.
    • Safety procedures. 
  • Studying records and/or files regarding any of the following:
    • Occupational safety and/or occupational health mishaps/accidents.
    • Occupational safety and/or occupational health injuries.
    • Equipment maintenance data.
  • Identifying occupational health and safety hazards.
  • Recording and/or photographing plain-view occupational safety and/or occupational health hazards.
  • Evaluating occupational safety and/or occupational health programs and making recommendations for improvement when deficiencies are noted.
  • Compiles occupational safety and/or occupational health reports.
  • Applying occupational safety and/or occupational health standards and criteria to unsafe working conditions.
  • Developing legally sufficient occupational safety and/or occupational health investigation or inspection reports.
  • Calculating penalties to be assessed based on the (a) gravity of occupational safety and/or occupational health violations and (b) the severity of possible injury or illness and the probability that such could occur.

Education Substitution:

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.  For this job, you may qualify if your education meets the definitions below:

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.

For the GS-07 level: 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (S.A.A)

S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

  1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:

    1. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
    2. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
  3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society

For the GS-09 level: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

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.

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.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATIONADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATIONFORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Additional vacancies may be filled using this announcement, if authorized.

How you will be evaluated

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

Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #23 and 26 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Oral Communication: Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations.

Writing: Uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing.

Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others.

Self Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner.

Information Management: Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information.

Technology Application: Uses machines, tools, instruments, or equipment effectively. 

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).  Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc).  The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings.  Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses.  If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.


To preview questions please click here.

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