SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, and Safety and Occupational Health Management Series 0018. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes comprehensive knowledge of regulations, standards, procedures, methods, and techniques applicable to a broad range of safety and occupational health duties in one or more specific areas of safety and occupational health (e.g., identifying, evaluating, and recommending methods of controlling a wide variety of industrial hazards related to the full range of work operations); Knowledge of standards, procedures, methods, and techniques applicable to construction; sound technical knowledge sufficient to analyze safety design features and specifications; and develop new methods and procedures to identify or control hazardous construction processes and equipment usage.

OR EDUCATION: successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, with a major study 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.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of college transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of graduate level education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of numerous established safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures, laws, regulations, and current legislative issues as they relate to the military installation occupational safety program; the requirements, methods, and techniques of accident and mishap investigation, analysis, resolution of normal occupational safety problems/health risks, and formal reporting procedures; and risk assessment methods and techniques for evaluating normal safety and occupational health risks.

Knowledge of communication techniques, principles, and regulations to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in responding to work related problems and questions. Knowledge of basic construction standards, methods, practices, techniques, materials, and equipment to determine compliance with regulations and standards. Knowledge of standard training techniques, methods, and materials sufficient to prepare and present formal training and instructional sessions.

Skill in the interpretation of engineering drawings and specifications sufficient to identify hazardous conditions in proposed facilities. Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines. Other significant facts pertaining to this position are: 1. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station. 2. Incumbent may occasionally be required to be in an on-call status outside normal duty hours or on holidays. 3. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

• Performs a broad range of safety and occupational health duties in one or more areas of safety and occupational health.
• Plans and carries out formal investigations of reportable and non-reportable mishaps involving personal injury accidents, property damage, covering a wide range of work operations.
• Develops specialized operating practices, modifying or departing significantly from standard techniques when necessary based on interpretation of policies, standards, and regulations.

Reviews plans and specifications for new construction, major building alterations, and/or changes in installation equipment and monitors project through completion to ensure compliance with safety codes and standards. Provides technical safety training/instruction to supervisors, employees, and/or unit safety representatives on a wide range of work operations areas, such as traffic safety techniques, proper storage of hazardous materials, common laboratory hazards, and building evacuation procedures.