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Regulatory Specialist

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

Summary

Serves as a staff member of the Regulatory Development Division in the Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances (OSRV). The incumbent is responsible for performing a wide variety of assignments with regard to reviewing and formulating policy issuances, preparing reports and statements required by law, Executive Order or regulation, and developing regulations. 

This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/08/2022 to 07/28/2022
Salary
$74,950 to - $138,868 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
Arlington, VA
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required to attended meetings or training that are not at the duty location.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13 - 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.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MS-22-DAL-MSHA-351
Control number
664215100

Duties

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Duties listed are at the Full Performance Level, GS-13: 

Represents MSHA in meetings with representatives of industry and organized labor to discuss and/or gain acceptance of Agency proposals or insure full input in the regulation development process. Responsible for reviewing and analyzing comments received on proposed regulations and determining, in conjunction with technical program personnel, management and the Office of the Solicitor whether the issues raised by the comments have sufficient merit to warrant changes in the proposed regulation.

Coordinates with the Office of the solicitor and Departmental personnel to insure that proposed regulations meet all legal, Secretarial and Government-wide requirements and practices and that the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act are complied with. Reviews proposed Agency policy issuances to insure that they are consistent with MSHA goals and objectives.

Conducts continuing reviews and analyses of existing Agency regulations to identify those which may need revision in view of changing Agency requirements or policies or actions taken by other regulatory agencies (e.g. Nuclear Regulatory Agency, OSHA, or Office of Surface Mining) and provides this information to the Assistant Secretary and top MSHA officials as input into their regulations development functions.

Works with the Solicitor to consolidate relevant background and supporting justification for MSHA's position. Coordinates with the Office of the solicitor and Departmental personnel to ensure that proposed regulations meet all legal, Secretarial and Government-wide requirements and practices.

Drafts the most complex, controversial or sensitive regulations or assists personnel from the Office of the solicitor in drafting regulations pertaining to all MSHA program activities. Responsible for insuring that regulations reflect MSHA policies and are consistent with other Federal and State regulations to the extent possible. Exercises a leadership role in resolving any conflicts in this regard.

Exercises a leadership role to resolve any differences within MSHA or between MSHA and outside bodies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

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.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Notification Concerning COVID-19 Vaccinations.  As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law.  If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to submit documentation of proof of vaccination or to be in the process of requesting an exception to the vaccination requirement before appointment or onboarding with the agency.  The agency will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation can be accepted and how you can request to be considered for a legally required exception from this requirement.

Currently, implementation and enforcement of Executive Order 14043 has been suspended pursuant to an injunction pending further litigation.

Qualifications

For 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. 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.

GS-11 Specialized Experience is defined as:

  • Performs a wide variety of assignments with regard to reviewing and formulating policy issuance, preparing reports and statements required by law, Executive Order or regulation, and developing regulations.
  • Basic knowledge of rule-making objectives and applicable statutes and executive orders.
  • Analyzes complex, controversial or sensitive policy and regulatory proposals.
  • Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with team members.
  • Communicates effectively both orally and in writing.

For 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. 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.

GS-12 Specialized Experience is defined as:

  • Experience interpreting, reviewing, formulating policy issuances, preparing reports and statements required by law, Executive Order or regulation, and developing regulations.
  • Prepares answers to questions and/or other correspondence received as a result of the proposed rules and rule-making procedures. Researches, analyzes, and reviews policies and regulations.
  • Researches, analyzes, and reviews policies and regulations.
  • Possesses oral and written communication skills in order to represent the views of the Agency before parties who may be opposed to the Agency position and to operate effectively in an adversary environment.
  • Establish and maintains cooperative working relationships with high level officials both within and outside the Agency.

For GS-13: 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 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.

GS-13 Specialized Experience is defined as:

  • Experience interpreting, reviewing, formulating policy issuances, preparing reports and statements required by law, Executive Order or regulation, and developing regulations.
  • Possesses oral and written communication skills in order to represent the views of the Agency before parties who may be opposed to the Agency position and to operate effectively in an adversarial environment.
  • Reviews proposed Agency policy issuances to ensure that they are consistent with Agency goals and objectives.
  • Reviews and analyzes comments received on proposed regulations, works with Agency technical personnel to implement proposed regulation changes.

Additional information

Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have speech disabilities, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.

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 can 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 that 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.

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

Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.

Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.

Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Organizational Awareness - Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization. 

Stakeholder Management - Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques used to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved, those who exert influence over the process and its results, and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).

Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

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 Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

Click here for Evaluation details.

INFORMATION FOR CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under CTAP or ICTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) 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 #24 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. 


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