Clarification from the agency

This position is being filled through Direct Hire Authority. Traditional rating and ranking of applications does NOT apply. Veteran’s preference does not apply.

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As the employee progresses, the assignments will become more difficult and complex with less supervision. 

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

GS-07

• 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.
• Audits employer occupational safety and health injury records, safety plans, and program documentation.
• Assists in the documentation of conducted portions of investigations to help support a legally sufficient case. Takes photographs and videos of apparent violations of occupational safety and health standards.
• Assists in preparing for opening and closing conferences and outreach activities. Responds to requests for information on OSHA policies, regulations, and programs.

GS-09

• Assists in conducting and/or participates in opening and closing conferences with management officials, employees, and employee representatives reviewing hazards or unsafe working conditions 
• Conducts specific (targeted) outreach activities and provides information on OSHA legislation, regulations, and compliance activities to a variety of different audiences.
• Assists in planning and conducting portions or limited inspections or compliance reviews in establishments and worksites.
• Assists in conducting monitoring and evaluation by analyzing select portions of plan changes, programs, procedures, inspections, citations, and reports to determine compliance with approved occupational safety standards and programs.

GS-11

• Conducts occupational safety and health inspections within a variety of agricultural, construction, general industry, and maritime business establishments to ensure employer compliance with federal OSHA standards.
• Conducts investigations involving one or more fatalities, injuries, serious accidents, or other unsafe conditions.
• Prepares for inspections to become familiar with work processes, operations, and standards applicable to the workplace to be inspected.
• Conducts opening conferences with management officials and employee representatives concerning the nature and purpose of the inspection, the procedures which will be followed, and employee discrimination rights.
• Participates in Agency efforts to obtain warrants and to subpoena witnesses and documents, if necessary.
• Analyses injury and illness data and reviews establishments’ occupational safety and health programs.

GS-12

• Conducts closing conferences with management officials and employee representatives.  Discusses proposed citations for OSHA standards that have been allegedly violated, abatement dates, and employer and employee rights and responsibilities
• Processes inspections utilizing the OSHA Information System. 
• Proposes fiscal penalties.
• Assists agency attorneys in the preparation of contested cases for hearing before administrative law judges; testifies under examinations conducted by attorneys representing the agency and the employer.
• Provides technical assistance to employers, employees, labor organizations and business associations to achieve safe and healthy working environments.
• Provides training to new employees and peers.
• Conducts interviews, reviews documents, and researches various sources of information such as equipment manuals, consensus standards, interpretations of standards, court decisions.
• Identifies violations and hazards, and recommends abatement methods common to the work processes and operations.
• Documents inspections to support a legally sufficient case.

Conditions of employment

• Requires a valid drivers license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Subject to drug test prior to appointment at GS-11 and GS-12 grade levels.
• Requires medical exam and must maintain physical requirements
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Appointment to this position will require a background investigation.
• This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• You will be required to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.

This position is within U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Region 6. 

• Selectee will be expected to report to one of the offices listed above, this is not a remote position. 
• Position is inside the bargaining unit and requires pre-employment physical and a valid drivers license.
• Additional selections may be made from this announcement if funding becomes available.
• A recruitment bonus may be available.

The salaries listed in this announcement are the Rest of the United States rates of pay. If you would like to see the pay tables for each location, please copy or click this link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/general-schedule 

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.

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, the tentative job offer will be rescinded and you will not be extended a final job offer or may be removed from Federal service. The legal authority to conduct medical examinations is found under 5 CFR § 339.301 - Authority to require an examination.

Qualifications

This Direct Hire announcement allows acceptance of applications through the closing date. The intent of this announcement is to establish a standing register of qualified candidates and refer for consideration when vacancies occur. Applications will be reviewed and referred for selection as vacancies occur within the organization. ONCE SELECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE CLOSED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.

The Safety and Occupational Health Series (0018) has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) as stated in the Education Requirements:

In order to qualify for this position, applicants must also meet the specialized experience requirements OR the substitution of education for specialized experience as described below:

For the GS-07:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 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 positions. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements.
• Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards.
• Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.

OR

Substitution of Experience GS-07: One year (1) of graduate-level education or Superior Academic Achievement. Information regarding S.A.A. can be found in OPM’s General Schedule Qualification Policies

For the GS-09:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 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 positions. Examples of specialized experience include:

• General knowledge of OSHA or related safety and occupational health standards or codes.
• Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements.
• Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
• Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards.

OR

Substitution of Experience GS-09: Two years of graduate education or a Master's degree in safety or occupational health or related fields that included at least 24 semester hours in the following disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology.

For the GS-11: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, applicants must demonstrate 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, experience may be in Federal or Private Sector. (see description below). Specialized Experience is described as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience are as follows:

No substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 level.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Please review evaluations details here.  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SERVES AS PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE USE OF OPM'S DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY DOL-002 AND ITS AMENDMENT. ALL APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE SELECTING OFFICIAL FOR CONSIDERATION. CATEGORY RATING, VETERAN'S PREFERENCE, AND TRADITIONAL RATING AND RANKING OF APPLICANTS DO NOT APPLY TO THIS POSITION.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

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

• Interpersonal Skills/Customer Svc: 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. Customer Service: Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Communication: Oral: 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. Written: 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.
• Technical Competency: 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.

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.)