Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

EXPLOSIVES SAFETY SPECIALIST

Department of Defense
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/06/2025 to 08/19/2025
Salary
$89,583 to - $138,486 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Kirtland AFB, NM
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Kirtland AFB, NM. This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.  This position is not eligible for remote telework.
Travel Required
50% or less - Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 30% of duty time.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes - Incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually, and upon termination.
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DTRA-25-12778265-MP
Control number
842608500

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Current permanent DoD civilian employees in the competitive service and DTRA DCIPS employees; Displaced employees (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan - ICTAP eligible); and individuals eligible for the following Special Appointing Authorities: People with Disabilities, military spouses, and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). PPP hiring preference available for Military Spouses, Military Reserves, National Guard, and Retained Grade Preference Employees.

Duties

Help

As a EXPLOSIVES SAFETY SPECIALIST at the GS-0017-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Incumbent serves as the Department's Test Explosive Safety Manager and Safety Officer. The primary emphasis of the position is managing a comprehensive safety and occupational health program involving execution of all phases of planning and operations for test fielding, execution and post-test recovery involving construction, general industry safety, and explosives program management. Tests and experiments include national level asset test beds, facilities and tunnels, unique and untried war-fighter combat systems, explosive ordnance, military explosives, commercial explosives, experimental explosives, sensitive explosives, hazardous materials, chemicals, biological simulants and radiological materials.
  • Performs assigned unaccompanied access duties which involve chain of custody responsibilities for the receipt control, inventory accountability, use, and consumption reporting. Manages safety and compliance programs for the storage, handling, and transportation of test explosives. Manages safety and compliance of explosives operations conducted during test operations, ensuring the safety of personnel, material, and environmental resources. As subject matter expert, plans, coordinates, and manages all phases of explosives recovery operations for weapons and explosives malfunctions to include contact with national level agency, service, and foreign country program managers. Conducts post-test hazard abatement for structural damage, hazardous atmospheres, unexploded ordnance and explosives, and other hazards resulting from test operations.
  • Reviews and develops health and safety plans, programs, and policies directly affecting multi-million dollar testing programs and test bed designs. Responsible for all aspects of safety and explosive operations for test planning, fielding, test event, and post-test recovery. Identifies hazards, conducts risk assessments, and develops safety requirements for tests.
  • Administers direct safety oversight of work, site operations, and environmental conditions involving substantial numbers of contractors, multiple service components, and national level agencies with diverse hazards which include the potential for significant severity of loss to high dollar, one-of-a-kind prototype property, resources and life. Plans, conducts, and analyzes investigations of a broad variety of mishaps, hazardous conditions, and accidents to determine origin, causes, and contributing factors. Prepares the official written evaluation report of findings.
  • Manages programs and conducts permit required confined space entries (PRCS), emergency medical response exercises, and training evaluations, surveys of facilities, equipment, and operations for multiple organizational detachments engaged in widely dispersed and diversified activities over a large geographic area. Identifies deficiencies in the programs and provides regulatory reference or variances to the standards using comprehensive knowledge of regulations, standards, procedures, methods, and techniques.
  • Coordinates directly with multiple host installations Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Offices for Agency Research Development Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) OSH inspections and staff assistance visits. Inspects and evaluates all test contractors' and test participants' programs to ensure compliance with OSH standards for construction, general industry and explosives.
  • Authors supplements to regulations and manuals and develops specialized local regulations defining mishap prevention and handling and storage procedures based on interpretation and/or adaptation of higher level instructions and policies formulated by other federal government agencies. Reviews, evaluates plans and makes design change recommendations for current and new construction plans of major building alterations and test articles. Ensures compliance with safety codes and standards during construction, test fixtures fabrication, and all phases of test activities. Develops specialized operating practices affecting construction matters associated with diverse but recognized hazards and attends pre-construction conferences to brief construction engineers and contractors on safety requirements.
  • Authors and conducts technical safety training/instruction for division supervisors, employees and/or unit level safety representatives, and contractors on a wide range of operational areas, such as emergency medical response, vehicle/All-Terrain Vehicle driver safety, hazardous materials, OSH safety, and explosives safety.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: 25% - May be recalled to duty 24-hrs a day during other than normal duty hours to include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized if funds are available and with approval from hiring manager; See link for more information: https://www.dtra.mil/Careers-Opportunities/DTRA-Opportunities/
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually and upon termination IAW DoD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993
  • Telework Eligibility: This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.  This position is not eligible for remote telework.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.
  • Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.
  • A valid driver's license is required.
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and if required thereafter.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Knowledge of the explosives safety field to include experience in explosives testing, explosive ordnance disposal, and explosives recovery operations to review and develop health and safety plans, programs, and policies directly affecting multi-million dollar testing programs and test bed designs and to manage safety and compliance programs for the storage, handling, and transportation of test explosives.
  • Knowledge in explosives hazard classification, munitions storage, explosive ordnance inventory and disposition to ensure compliance with OSH standards.
  • Knowledge to determine and experience in applying safety protocols to chemical hazard zones.
  • Knowledge and skill in the use of standard industry personnel protective equipment to operate 4 and 5 gas monitors in hazardous atmospheres and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
  • Knowledge of the occupational safety and health field to administer direct safety oversight of work, site operations, and environmental conditions involving substantial numbers of personnel.
You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service:
  • Expert knowledge of the explosives safety field to include experience in explosives testing, explosive ordnance disposal, and explosives recovery operations to review and develop health and safety plans, programs, and policies directly affecting multi-million dollar testing programs and test bed designs and to manage safety and compliance programs for the storage, handling, and transportation of test explosives.
  • Expert knowledge in explosives hazard classification, munitions storage, explosive ordnance inventory and disposition to ensure compliance with OSH standards.
  • Expert knowledge to determine and experience in applying safety protocols to chemical hazard zones.
  • Knowledge and skill in the use of standard industry personnel protective equipment to operate 4 and 5 gas monitors in hazardous atmospheres and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
  • Expert knowledge of the occupational safety and health field to administer direct safety oversight of work, site operations, and environmental conditions involving substantial numbers of personnel.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Certification and Licensing Requirements:

  • Must possess graduation certificate from Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD).
  • Munitions Certification training/certification as required for test locations.
  • Maintains necessary training to preserve proficiency in job related qualifications i.e., CPR, First Aid, HAZWOPER and Permit Required Confined Space.

Additional information

Medical and Physical Requirements:

  • This position may require the incumbent to lift over 50lbs, walk a/o crawl over rough terrain, bend over, and/or crawl/fit into tight spaces.
  • Some sites and treaties require the enrollment into the CPRP or BPRP.
  • This position may require the incumbent to be exposed to ionizing radiation. Radiation monitoring may be required IAW DoDI 6055.08 Occupational Ionizing Radiation Protection Program to ensure compliance.
  • This position may require the use of personal protective equipment which may include chemical protective gear and a protective mask or other respiratory protection. Respiratory protection will include a medical exam to qualify on use and wear IAW 29 CFR 1910.134.
  • This position may be exposed to high levels of noise. Individual will be required to comply with all aspects of a hearing conservation program to include completing training, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and receiving audiograms IAW DODI 6055.12 Hearing Conservation Program.
  • This position may have exposure to hazardous lasers. IAW DoDM 6055.05 Occupational Medical Examinations laser eye exams may be required.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A
Special Hiring Authority for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/)

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information.

For more information, please visit

https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Re-employed Annuitant: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

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.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Competencies:

  • Explosives Safety Program Management
  • Multi-Disciplinary Teamwork
  • TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT


Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.