Clarification from the agency

This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Vista volunteers; certain Military Spouses, or individuals eligible under various programs for Veterans (VRA, VEOA, 30% disabled).

1. Serves as the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s (SAO) technical expert in safety and occupational health, providing professional support for the planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation of SAO’s safety and occupational health program. Interprets occupational safety and health standards applicable to federal agencies, construction, and other Smithsonian activities and develops or revises procedures, directives, and memoranda to ensure consistent application across SAO. Conducts research to provide accurate and current data for decision-making, policy development, and best practices. Documents and develops standard operating procedures, safe operating limits, and reporting tools for inspections, audits, investigations, and design reviews.

2. Serves as the authority for safety oversight and training across all SAO facilities.
   • Prepares safety guides, instructions, and training materials addressing chemical, physical, fire, and electrical hazards. Identifies the need for new or revised guidance to improve safety practices and ensure compliance with evolving standards.
   • Serves as the primary point of contact for safety-related emergencies, coordinating initial response, notifying the Executive Leadership Team, and preparing required incident reports, summaries, and follow-up documentation.
   • Conducts Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and ergonomic assessments across offices, laboratories, maintenance shops, and telescope environments. Recommends hazard controls, ensures implementation, and determines appropriate PPE.
   • Oversees all safety and occupational health training, including telescope sites. Provides instructor-led and specialized training (e.g., CPR/AED/First Aid), leads required operational and personnel safety sessions, and ensures safe vehicle operation at mountain sites.
   • Provides leadership and oversight for safety programs at SAO-AZ, SAO-HI, and SAO-Greenland facilities. Guides local Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) managers, conducts on-site reviews, resolves deficiencies, assists with hiring and training, and ensures consistent enforcement of SAO standards.
   • Works with SAO personnel and contractors to ensure construction and maintenance projects meet safety and health standards with minimal impact on operations. Participates in meetings, site visits, and inspections.

3. Oversees the planning, organization, and execution of comprehensive inspection programs across SAO’s diverse work environments in compliance with OSHA, EPA, NRC, NFPA, and Smithsonian policies. Includes laboratories and telescope sites (AZ, HI, and Greenland). Oversees Smithsonian’s Management Evaluation and Technical Review (METR) at all sites and ensures findings are abated and documented in Smithsonian data management systems.

4. Investigates accidents, incidents, procedural deviations, and reports of unsafe or unhealthful conditions, including ergonomic hazards. Reports results to SAO and Smithsonian offices, recommends and implements corrective measures, and serves on Accident Review Boards for major incidents. Uploads data and abatement actions, assists with OSHA recordkeeping, ensures accurate determinations of recordability, maintains OSHA 300 logs, and prepares annual summaries of occupational injuries and illnesses in accordance with federal standards.

5. Serves as SAO Safety Coordinator for the management of Smithsonian safety and occupational health policy within SAO facilities and as a point of contact for the Smithsonian Emergency Operations Group. Works collaboratively with Smithsonian’s Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM).
   • Prepares required regulatory deliverables such as the Department of Labor Annual Report of Safety Program Activities and other Smithsonian documentation.
   • Plans and coordinates safety committee meetings at Cambridge facilities and oversees committees at SAO-AZ and SAO-HI.
   • Maintains required permits and registrations (e.g., flammable storage and gas permits, wastewater discharge, hazardous waste, and laser registrations).

6. Administers SAO’s electronic safety and occupational health management systems for injury/illness reporting, inspections, and incident investigations. Grants and modifies access, assists users, ensures compliance with 29 CFR 1904 and Smithsonian policy, and provides or coordinates training.
   • Recommends improvements to enhance the accuracy and management of safety and occupational health data.
   • Maintains orderly central files for active and archived records.
   • Analyzes data from inspections, investigations, and ergonomic assessments to identify trends and evaluate program performance. Recommends corrective actions for rising injury or illness rates.
   • Prepares analytical reports, charts, and presentations for management and safety committees.

7. Performs other duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s safety and occupational health program.

Conditions of employment

• May be required to serve an 18-month probationary period for managers.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Qualifications

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

Knowledge of occupational safety and health standards, regulations, consensus guidelines, concepts, principles, and best practices and the practical application of such to the design, implementation, administration, management, and evaluation of comprehensive occupational safety and health programs, training courses, and educational materials for the diverse collection of units that support the mission of the Smithsonian Institution and that is authoritative and current.

Skill developing and managing personnel and overseeing safety at a diverse portfolio of work environments.

Skill in interpreting and applying safety and occupational health regulations for overall management of a safety and occupational health program sufficient to plan and execute a comprehensive inspection for a wide variety of work settings, including construction worksites, telescope facilities, laboratories, etc.

Skill in applying safety and occupational health principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations and standards to identify and mitigate/eliminate hazards during the review of projects or as the result of a report of an unsafe/unhealthful condition, or as the result of an accident. Conducts and completes safety assessments and/or accident reports.

Ability to communicate and interact effectively with diverse groups.

Ability to utilize data management tools such as spreadsheets to analyze and present safety occupational trends, metrics, and reports.

BASIS OF RATING:  Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.