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Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Directorate of cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), Office of Partnerships and Recognition (OPR)

Summary

This position will serve as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist within the Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, within the Directorate of cooperative and State Programs (DCSP), in the Office of Partnerships and Recognition (OPR), located in Washington, D.C.

  • This position is inside the bargaining unit.
  • The full performance level of this position is at the GS-12 grade level.
  • This position is not remote. Selectee will be expected to report to the office above.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/29/2026 to 05/12/2026
Salary
$57,736 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 12
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
DE-26-BOS-OSHA-12945532-JSE
Control number
866904200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to U.S. Citizens; Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) eligible in the local commuting area.

Duties

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Major Duties of the Safety and Occupational Health Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:

GS-07:
  • Facilitating compliance with OSHA rules and regulations, and conformance with best practices of other industry regulatory and scientific bodies.
  • Participating in the development of new or revised approaches to resolve problems encountered in Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) application review and on-site verification.
  • Responding to oral and written requests for technical and program information from OSHA field offices, Congressional sources, and program participants.
  • Creating spreadsheets, summaries, graphics, and documents for presentations, web content, training, and policy discussions.
GS-09:
  • Compiling information and reports needed to assist the Director in determining whether to concur with recommendations.
  • Assisting in developing new or revised approaches and procedures to resolve critical problems encountered in Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) application review and verification,
  • Responding to oral and written requests for technical and program information concerning policies, procedures, and activities.
  • Providing accurate, timely responses to requests for assistance and information (in-person, telephone, email, postal mail, websites, etc.).

GS-11:
  • Reviewing regional recommendations for approval, denial, or termination of Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) participation.
  • Representing OSHA in meetings with industry, labor unions, academics, and national safety organizations, explaining regulatory requirements and negotiating understanding of program expectations.
  • Producing analytical materials-spreadsheets, summaries, graphics, source documentation- for use in program evaluations, briefings, and policy discussions.
  • Monitoring safety and health data from enforcement, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and other regulatory/scientific bodies, identifying trends that may influence cooperative program policy or procedures.

GS-12
  • Developing background materials and identifying issues of national significance that may require official interpretations or regulatory clarification.
  • Analyzing complex problems encountered by field staff during VPP application reviews and on-site evaluations and developing new or revised approaches and procedures.
  • Providing technical assistance and on-the-job training in management review of safety and health programs to field staff conducting VPP pre-approval and on-site evaluations.
  • Monitoring new or revised regulations, policy memoranda, safety/health studies, and industry best practices, summarizing impacts and developing recommendations.


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

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Requirements listed in the Education Requirements section and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, as described below.

Education

For information about the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), please see Education section of this announcement.

Minimum Qualifications:

For the GS-07 level:


Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, applicants must demonstrate 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, in the Federal or Private Sector. Specialized Experience is described as experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience are as follows:
  • Reviewing safety and health-related documents, program materials, or evaluation reports.
  • Analyzing documents to ensure they align with established policies, regulatory requirements, or technical criteria.
  • Assisting with the development of source documentation, spreadsheets or other documentation for use in policy discussions, presentations, or speeches.
OR

Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education.

OR

Superior academic achievement in a bachelor's degree program. 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, based on completed courses.
  2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
a. 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; orb. 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 Honor Society - membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

OR

A qualifying combination of education and competencies as described above.

For the GS-09: Applicants must have 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 position. Examples of specialized experience include:
  • Conducting research on occupational safety and health topics, program practices, or emerging trends.
  • Compiling technical resources to support knowledge management and program improvements.
  • Reviewing training courses to assess appropriateness of policies and procedures.
OR

Substitution of Experience: Two years of graduate education or a Master's degree in 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-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 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 position. Examples of specialized experience include:
  • Analyzing long range impacts of new initiatives or policy changes.
  • Using analytical methods to assess program performance and progress.
  • Identifying trends that point to the need for corrective action and/or suggesting solutions.
  • Applying measurable, quantifiable criteria for evaluating safety and health programs or initiatives.
OR

Substitution of experience:
Three years of progressively higher level related graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in safety or occupational health or related fields.

For the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11. Examples of specialized experience include:
  • Analyzing data to evaluate and improve a program, operation, or process.
  • Evaluating safety and health programs or initiatives to assist with research projects.
  • Participating in agency task forces involving safety and occupational health programs.
  • Providing technical assistance or on-the-job training to safety and occupational health staff.
No substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 level.

Education

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):

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.

OR

Experience
Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

  • Managing safety or occupational health program elements.
  • Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management.
  • 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.
  • Developing safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards.
  • Developing or implementing programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses.
  • Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
  • Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate 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.
  • Training of workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects.
  • Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse.

OR

Certificates: Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience.

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 coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers.
Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.

For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy.

Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.

The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.

All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your evaluation will be based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated through your resume and supporting documentation.

Click Application of Veterans Preference for more information.

You may preview application questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12945532

Clickhere for Evaluation details.

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 qualification requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies.

Clickhere for Evaluation details.

USA Hire

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


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

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, volunteer, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work 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 category B or higher will be considered well-qualified. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

When Occupational Safety and Health Administration completes its hiring, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with additional agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and you will help shape the workforce of tomorrow. DOL offers rewarding opportunities to contribute to a noble mission; to serve and protect American workers, prepare them for new and better jobs, and to ensure the safety and fairness of American workplaces.

The Department of Labor values its customers. Every DOL employee is responsible for delivering good customer service through accurate, courteous, efficient, and effective transactions.

The Department of Labor does not make unfavorable hiring decisions on the basis of an applicant's previous or current unemployment, or the fact that an applicant has experienced financial difficulty through no fault of his/her own and has undertaken good faith efforts to meet his/her financial obligations. Consideration is given to financial status in relation to appointments only where required by law, regulation, or Executive Order.

Applicants with disabilities can contact the vacancy point of contact listed on the job vacancy announcement to request reasonable accommodations needed for the application process.

Agency contact information

Jennifer Eagle
Phone
617-565-2546
Email
eagle.jennifer.s@dol.gov
Address
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20210
US

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