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Mine Safety and Health Specialist (Health)

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

Summary

Serves as an Health Specialist and authority on issues and related problems encountered in the mining industry. 

The position will be located in Helena, MT. 

The position is inside the Bargaining Unit.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Posted 07/15/21
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$64,649 - $100,739 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Promotion potential
12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor’s recommendation to the next grade.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
76% or greater - Approximately 76%
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
DE-21-DAL-MSHA-223
Control number
607683200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens; ICTAP/CTAP eligibles in the local commuting area. Also advertised as job #MS-21-DAL-MSHA-223 for status applicants, VEOA eligibles. To be considered for each vacancy, apply to BOTH jobs.

Duties

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Participates in investigations involving dust explosions or other severe violations of health and noise standards that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard-to-define problems to resolve. The incumbent may serve as a mine health expert on teams investigating accidents involving health hazards. Reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations concerning the adequacy of ventilation plans and requests for variance or waiver from mandatory health standards submitted by mine operators for approval. These plans include, but are not limited to, dust control, bathhouse facilities, potable water, and noise control. During the review process, the incumbent may conduct on-site health surveys to determine whether conditions at the mine are the same as portrayed in the plan, acquire information that may not be clear from the plan, or discusses technical problems causing the plan not to be acceptable. Assists in developing new or modified health regulations, standards, and inspection procedures.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Requires a medical examination.
  • Subject to drug test prior to appointment
  • Requires a valid drivers license.
  • Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.

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

Qualifications

The Mine Safety and Health Specialist, GS-1822, has specific basic requirements described in an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR).  Applicants must meet the below specialized experience requirement from the IOR:

Experience performing mine safety and health inspection, analysis and evaluation of health/safety aspects of mining industry operations and processes; or evaluation, analysis or development of agency programs.

Examples of creditable experience include:

Direct on-site inspection; special accident investigation; development of mine safety and health standards; data analysis and evaluation of operational mine safety and health programs; special assessments; and development of industry-wide training or safety and health awareness programs.

In addition to meeting the IOR above, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-09 for the grade level 11, and GS-11 for the Grade Level GS-12, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled, and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience must demonstrate experience in:

GS-11: Experience in participating in investigations involving health contaminants, or other severe violations of health or noise standards that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard to define problems to resolve. The incumbent may serve as a mine health expert on teams investigating accidents involving health hazards or issues. Participates in conducting a wide variety of onsite safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities.

GS-12: Experience in investigations involving health contaminants, or other severe violations of health or noise standards that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard to define problems to resolve. The incumbent may serve as a mine health expert on teams investigating accidents involving health hazards or issues. Conducts a wide variety of onsite safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities.

Medical Requirements

Applicants and employees must be physically able to perform arduous duties efficiently and without hazard to themselves or others. Medical examination is required for all applicants for positions that involve regular or intermittent performance of inspection, investigation, rescue duties, or duties involving on-site visits. Medical conditions that constitute a hazard to safe and efficient job performance are disqualifying. The presence of medical disorders that would be aggravated by the environmental conditions of these positions and thereby hinder safe and efficient job performance are also disqualifying.

Remediable defects and/or curable diseases will not permanently disqualify an applicant for appointment, but may result in the applicant's suspension from the appropriate list of eligibles pending submission of medical evidence or correction of the condition.


Uncorrected distant vision must test at least 20/50 Snellen in one eye and 20/70 in the other, correctable with eyeglasses (contact lenses are not acceptable) to at least 20/30 Snellen in one eye and 20/50 in the other. Near vision must be sufficient to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters Normal depth perception and field of vision are required, as is the ability to distinguish basic colors.


Applicants, with or without the use of a hearing aid, must have no hearing loss in either ear of more than 40 decibels in the 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz ranges.

Education

There is no substitution for education at the posted grade levels. 

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.

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.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Position Telework eligibility is determined by management based on position duties during the recruitment process. Employee participation in telework on a routine or situational basis is determined by management primarily based on business needs.  Employees participating in telework are subject to the terms and conditions of the Department of Labor’s Telework Program.

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:

Mine Safety & Health Technical: A thorough knowledge of the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977. A broad knowledge of the processes, methods and equipment utilized to mine coal and other ores.

Oral and Written Communication: A high degree of skill in effective written, oral, and other forms of communication.

Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational causes change.

Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy; concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender,
disabilities, and other individual differences.

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

The information you provide on your resume may be verified by a review of your work experience, employment start/end dates/hours worked and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the OHR 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/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) 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 eligible(s) who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified." Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information. 


To preview questions please click here.

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Agency contact information

Chevelle J. Gaines
Phone
972-850-4433
TDD
877-889-5627
Email
gaines.chevelle.j@dol.gov
Address
Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration
OHR-Dallas Sevice Center
Dallas, Texas 75202
United States

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