EXPLOSIVES SAFETY SPECIALIST

Clarification from the agency

Area I: All current On-board Permanent and Indefinite Dual Status 32 and Title 5 Only those Vermont National Guard members who are in permanent or indefinite technician status. Area II: All Members of the Vermont Air National Guard. Area III: Currently assigned service members in other branches of the military outside of the VTNG, to include those assigned to Active Duty, Reserve or other state's National Guard.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates activities necessary to the overall management of a diverse weapons/explosives safety program*. Reviews complex weapons and explosives safety plans/programs and develops and issues instructions and procedures establishing technical and administrative weapons and explosives safety requirements which frequently become official policy and may impact a wide range of agency explosives activities. Ensures and performs periodic inspections, evaluations, and surveys of facilities, equipment, and operations; and identifies deficiencies in the program and variances to the standard using a comprehensive knowledge of regulations, standards, procedures, methods, and techniques to determine compliance with weapons and explosives safety regulations. Guidelines tend to lack specificity for many applications and are often insufficient to resolve highly complex or unusual work problems. Evaluates a variety of complex, unconventional weapons and explosives safety problems or circumstances; determines risk assessment of the hazardous processes/conditions identified; and determines applicable methods and procedures for controlling or eliminating hazards. Plans alternative course of specialized action to resolve hazardous conditions and unsafe working practices, modifying and extending accepted principles and practices where available precedents are not directly applicable. Documents and reviews inspection findings, initiates appropriate program improvements based on findings, and prepares formal reports for dissemination to appropriate parties. Advises key commanders and managerial and executive personnel of courses of actions affecting weapons and explosives transportation, storage, handling operations, work processes, human-machine relationships, and environmental conditions which impact on the safety and efficiency of personnel. Recommends appropriate measures to prevent unnecessary exposure and eliminate or control hazardous operating procedures. Ensures follow-up inspections are conducted and violations and hazards corrected.

2. Plans, directs, and conducts investigations and analyzes mishaps and hazardous conditions to determine origin, causes, and contributing elements and prepares written evaluation reports concerning findings. Weapons and explosives operations involve a substantial number and diversity of hazards which include those with potential for significant severity and loss. Establishes in and participates on Safety Investigation Boards and investigates all explosives Safety mishaps and hazards to include the preparation and submittal of appropriate reports. Compiles and analyzes mishap data, identifies trends, and develops comprehensive recommendations to reduce or eliminate mishaps. Reports typically contain graphs, charts, and recommendations for changes in operating procedures, regulations, and use of protective devices that affect agency activities.

3. Prepares supplements to instructions and manuals and develops specialized local instructions defining mishap prevention, weapons and explosives handling, use and storage procedures based on interpretation and/or adaptation of higher command instructions and policies formulated by other federal government agencies. Evaluates new trends for policy development or for further inquiry and study leading to new methods for eliminating or controlling serious hazards to life and property. Coordinates with other installation offices regarding comprehensive environmental, weapons and explosives safety matters affecting installation personnel and devises specialized operating practices involving diverse but recognized hazards. Prepares and revises local written procedures or abatement actions for conditions not directly addressed by existing standards or guidelines and evaluates agency-wide effect. Evaluates safety standards adopted by Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board, national safety associations, publications on explosives operations, work processes; and current problems and modifies/adapts for local application. Makes recommendations and decisions on complex policy issues that frequently become official policy and may impact a wide range of agency weapons and explosives safety activities.

4. Reviews and develops explosives site plans (utilizing manual and automated techniques) and specifications for new construction, major building alterations, and/or changes in equipment and monitors project through completion to ensure compliance with explosives safety standards and safety codes. Recommends design changes not included in the original plan and provides technical recommendations to eliminate or control explosives safety hazards in the construction, repair and maintenance of installation facilities and equipment. When need arises, stops any operation that is of imminent danger to personnel or property.

**Please refer to the Position Description for a complete description of work performed.

Conditions of employment

• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact please contact a Vermont Air National Guard recruiter at (802) 652-8058 prior to applying for this position.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
• Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Must be a current member of the Vermont Air National Guard.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
• This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.

Qualifications

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is a Title 32 excepted service position that requires membership in the Vermont Air National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Vermont Air National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a Vermont Air National Guard recruiter at (802) 660-8058 prior to applying for this position.

OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1, 2, 3
Area I: All current On-board Permanent and Indefinite Dual Status 32 and Title 5 (Competitive and Excepted) Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) - Only those Vermont National Guard members who are in permanent or indefinite technician status as a result of being competitively hired within that National Guard component applying for a position within the component which they are currently employed.
Area II: All Members of the Vermont Air National Guard.
Area III: Currently assigned service members in other branches of the military outside of the VTNG, to include those assigned to Active Duty, Reserve or other state's National Guard.

Military Grade: Enlisted: Rank will be individually addressed upon selection up to SMSgt/E8.

General Experience Requirements: Experience which demonstrates the ability to

1. Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions;
2. Plan and organize work; and
3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical, or other responsible work may be qualifying as long as it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other nonspecialized tasks) is not creditable. Trades or crafts experience appropriate to the position to be filled may be creditable for some positions.

Specialized Experience Requirements: Experiences in munitions, explosives, and energetic materials, and related disciplines, the effects of munitions, the means of preventing or reducing explosive mishaps, and the relationship between quantity-distance siting criteria and personnel safety; and explosives hazard classification, munitions storage, explosive ordnance inventory and disposition. Performed periodic onsite surveys, to determine compliance with applicable occupational safety standards. Developed and implemented munitions materiel management concepts and procedures. Complies with explosive, missile, and ground safety, security, and environmental directives and practices. Prepared or revised safety instructions and guides. Advised personnel of appropriate measures to control or eliminate hazardous operating processes which may cause mishaps. Investigated mishaps, obtained statements from witnesses, and photographed mishap scenes. Recorded circumstances of mishaps and extent of injuries, prepared final report(s) of findings with recommendations to correct the unsafe acts or conditions which caused injuries or property damage.

GS-11 - 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level (see above) experience, education, or training performing periodic/unscheduled inspections of base facilities, warehouses, stockpile management activities, and equipment maintenance operations and evaluated compliance with applicable regulations and hazard system. Recommended measures and methods to correct handling safety deficiencies. Participated in planning for testing of munitions, and assured integration of explosive safety criteria in testing procedures. Reviewed test implementation directives for inclusion of appropriate safety criteria. Prepared supplements to regulations and manuals for aircraft weapons safety and developed local regulations defining applicable mishap prevention procedures.

GS-12 - 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level experience, education, or training leading to the ability to perform reviews of industrial construction standards, methods, practices, techniques, materials, equipment, and utility systems sufficient to determine compliance with building safety standards and devise hazard control measures applicable to airport ground facilities and supporting industrial shops. Knowledge of psychological and physiological factors sufficient to develop a ground aviation safety education activity for supervisors and employees, to motivate maintenance personnel to apply safe working practices and to persuade supervisors to accept changes or modifications where required to achieve a safe working environment. Performed safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures and standards applicable to a full range of complex safety and occupational health management responsibilities at a military aviation installation and requiring the planning, organizing, directing, operating and evaluation of a safety and occupational health program related to ground aviation, industrial and marine operations. Performed aviation maintenance work processes and support equipment, airport ground operations, facilities and runway maintenance techniques, and industrial work processes.

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.

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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

Please be advised:
1. Specialized experience will be used to determine qualifications for the announced position.
2. An applicant's RESUME must provide, in detail, how they meet the specialized experience listed.
3. It must be documented with "from (mm/yy)" and "to (mm/yy)" dates and description of the specialized experience.
4. If education or a degree is required as part of the "Specialized Experience", you must include transcripts.

Do not copy the specialized experience qualifications word for word and place into your resume; you must describe your personal experience as it pertains to each statement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified 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):

-Comprehensive knowledge of the body of laws, regulations, policies, standards, procedures, methods, and techniques applicable to a broad range of weapons and explosives safety requirements sufficient to plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate a diverse weapons and explosives safety program and advise key managerial personnel on courses of action affecting facility operations, weapons handling procedures, explosives operations, work processes, human-machine relationships, etc., which impact on the safety and efficiency of personnel.

-Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to weapons and explosives safety to sufficiently interpret and modify or significantly depart from standard techniques in devising specialized operating practices concerned with accomplishing project weapons and explosives safety objectives; and explaining the reasons and purposes for applying measures and procedures, minimizing or abating hazards.

-Knowledge of weapons and explosives safety principles, practices, standards, and abatement measures related to diverse aviation and industrial settings sufficient to apply a wide range of methods and techniques in the inspection of government weapons and explosives storage locations, maintenance facilities, demolition areas, etc., to determine compliance with applicable regulatory provisions.

-Knowledge of physiological and psychological factors sufficient to conduct a wide variety of activities promoting safe working practices, use of protective gear, and proper equipment operations.

- Knowledge of the requirements, methods, and techniques of accident and mishap investigation of normal to high risk weapons and explosives storage and operating areas, to include fact-finding, analysis, risk assessment, resolution of safety problems, and submitting formal reports.

-Knowledge of organizational and communication skills to develop working relationships and manage program segments with diverse military, civilian, professional, and technical populations. Verbal and writing skills sufficient to prepare safety presentations/briefings, formal training materials, investigative reports, weapons and explosives safety inspections and surveys.

-Knowledge of standards, procedures, methods, and techniques applicable to explosives facility construction; sound technical knowledge sufficient to analyze safety design features and specifications; and to develop new methods and procedures to identify or control hazardous processes during weapons and explosives use, handling, storage and demolition.

You will be rated on the following core competencies:
1) Regulations
2) Explosives Safety
3) Weapons PPE
4) Mishap Investigations
5) Communication

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Resume: resume must show relevant experience, where you worked, job title, detailed duties and accomplishments written in your own words (Do not plagiarize), employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.), hours per week and salary. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your position title, pay plan, series and grade. Your detailed experience should be listed under each job title with starting and ending dates. Resume must show applicants name and contact information.
2. AGO-VT Form 690-5, Military Experience and Education Resume (All applicants, currently serving in the military, prior-service and civilians MUST complete the name block and military affiliation block of the AGO-VT Form 690-5 and sign and date the form).

Other supporting documents (as applicable):

• For current Federal employees: Latest SF 50, Personnel Action.
• DD-214
• Transcripts
• Certifications

Helpful Hints for Applying:

- Ensure that your resume contains your full name, address and phone.
- Include details about the experience that relates to the position you are applying for.
- Be specific and always include Month and Year for the dates of your experience.
- Be sure to include your applicable military experience and explain the duties of the MOS/AFSC held.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Please note that if, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may lose consideration for this position.

If you are using education to qualify for this position or education is a mandatory requirement to meet qualifications, you must submit copies of college transcripts that identify each course, the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade and grade-point received. Submitting a certificate or a degree will not suffice. You must submit transcripts when required. Photocopies are acceptable.

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