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Mine Safety and Health Inspector

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

Summary

OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT: This announcement provides the Agency with a readily available source of applicants when vacancies occur. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified when there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied. Notice of available opportunities and application due dates will be posted on this announcement when available.

Please visit "Next Steps" section for a notification on cut dates and locations.

This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/14/2022 to 12/30/2022
Salary
$66,214 to - $105,733 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Anchorage, AK
Birmingham, AL
Little Rock, AR
Mesa, AZ
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
76% or greater - All Inspectors travel to mine sites on a regular basis. Frequent overnight travel may be required for most Inspectors. Inspectors may travel to the National Mine Academy in Beckley, WV for required training in the Apprenticeship Program.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
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.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DE-22-DAL-MSHA-377
Control number
665313600

Duties

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Major duties at the GS-11 level:

Participates with a senior inspector in the preparation, conducting, and reporting of onsite safety and health inspections and investigations.

Independently conducts the more routine aspects of the inspection or investigation where mining processes, methods and equipment are familiar and there are no unusual conditions or problems.

Prepares written reports of inspections and investigations including notices of violations and orders of withdrawal.

Promotes safety and health among mine operators and workers by giving instructions, demonstrations, and talks on appropriate safety and health procedures, practices, and techniques, and assisting in the direction of mine rescue competitions.

May be called upon to testify at judicial hearings regarding notices of violations and/or orders of withdrawal.

Promotes safety and health among mine operators and workers by giving instructions, demonstrations, and talks on good safety and health practices, and the proper use of personal protective equipment, and assisting in the preparation and conducting of mine rescue competitions.

Serves as a MSHA representative and information source on mine safety and health.

Provides technical advice and guidance to mine operators to help them solve problems and comply with mine safety and health requirements.

Assists mine operators in the planning of modifications to improve and/or correct deficiencies in the operation such as selecting and installing new equipment, and changing materials or methods. 

Work Environment:

The incumbent inspects and/or investigates both surface and underground mining operations as applicable, which is a very hazardous and stressful work environment surrounded by a high risk of exposure to potentially dangerous situations. In addition to the characteristically dark, wet, and cramped environment, underground mines contain noxious gases and fumes, and the danger of potentially explosive dust or gases, electrical fires, roof falls, and exposure to radiation. 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
  • Requires a probationary period of 1 year.
  • Requires a valid drivers license.
  • Must undergo and pass a pre- and post-employment physical examination.
  • Requires medical exam and must maintain physical requirements.
  • Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • Subject to annual financial disclosure requirements.
  • For Apprenticeship Program: Must have 5 years' experience as a miner.

This is a National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeship Program requirements for the apprentice includes: 1) sign a DOL Apprenticeship Agreement, 2) fulfill the requirements of the Apprenticeship Program, to include related instruction (training) and on-the-job learning, and 3) serve a 1-year probationary period. 

This position requires an initial medical examination and reoccurring medical examinations throughout employment in this position, as a condition of employment. If you refuse the medical examination, do not submit required medical documentation, or do not meet the medical requirements of the position (with or without a reasonable accommodation), the job offer will be rescinded, you will not be extended a final job offer, or you may be removed from the position and from Federal service. The legal authority to conduct medical examinations is found under 5 CFR § 339.301 - Authority to require an examination.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. 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

Applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service, as defined below.

Specialized experience is 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.

Additional qualifications for the Apprenticeship Program: Applicant must have 5 years' experience as a miner.

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

Note: There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level.

Additional information

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Applicants will be reviewed for eligibility and qualifications and referred throughout the vacancy announcement period or at management's request. Notice of available opportunities and application due dates will be posted when available. Final disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period. This vacancy announcement may be extended, and cut-off dates may be updated.

These are not remote work positions. If selected, you will be expected to report to an MSHA office. To see where MSHA offices are located, click hereYou may select and rank up to five duty locations for which you wish to be considered; final duty location for each position will be determined at the time of selection.

The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables my be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/.

Selecting the "Location Negotiable after Selection" option as one of your preferred duty locations, implies your willingness to accept positions in any duty location or surrounding area on the announcement that you may not have listed as a preferred location. The final duty location determination will be based on available opportunities and the needs of the Agency.

Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining unit position represented by either Local-12 or NCFLL depending upon duty location.

Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional information is available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-and-leave-flexibilities-for-recruitment-and-retention/

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.

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 (Mine Safety and Health Administration) 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. For questions, please contact the vacancy contact listed on this announcement. All MSHA Inspectors are required to file within 30 days of the entrance of duty, and annually thereafter, a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450.

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

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.

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:

Technical Competence: Mine safety and health principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations, and standards as they apply to conducting inspections/investigations, identifying and evaluating unsafe conditions, giving citations and recommending methods to correct unsafe conditions.

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

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

Interpersonal Skills: Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse groups such as the mining and milling operation officials; safety representatives, mine workers, labor unions, and Federal and State government officials.

Problem Solving/Decision Making: Ability to use judgment and understanding of the objectives of broad safety and health laws and policies to adapt regulations that are not fully applicable and to determine procedures for handling situations not addressed in the guidelines. Advises specialists and inspectors about problems for which there are no clear precedents or procedures.

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.)

Writing Sample:  Applicants may be required to complete a Writing Sample during the interview process.

Additional information in the "Required Documents" section. 


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

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