EXPLOSIVES SAFETY SPECIALIST (Title 5) Job in Fort Smith, AR

Vacancy No. AF-25-161-12691052 Department Air National Guard Units
Salary $88,621.00 to $115,213.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/5/2025 Close Date 5/20/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Smith, AR


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION

This National Guard position is for an EXPLOSIVES SAFETY SPECIALIST (Title 5), Position Description Number T6364000 and is part of the AR ANG 188 WGH WG, National Guard.

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.

DUTIES CONTINUED UNDER EDUCATION

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
Information Assurance Certification is a condition of employment. Per DoD 8570.01-M, the incumbent must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment of these duties.
Must be able to obtain/maintain appropriate security clearance

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
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.

Education

DUTIES CONTINUED:

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. Develops specialized operating practices affecting construction matters associated with diverse but recognized hazards and attends pre-construction conferences to brief contractors on explosives quantity-distance (QD) safety requirements. Identifies potential safety hazards to assure adequate life safety code compliance. Randomly spot checks construction sites and notifies contracting officer when explosives safety exposure distance violations or unsafe practices are observed. Consults with engineering and/or logistics personnel to provide up-to-date environmental and explosives safety criteria or standards on equipment to be purchased, architectural drawings, or planned operating procedures.

5: Develops and provides technical safety training/instruction to supervisors, employees, and/or unit explosives safety representatives on a wide range of work operations areas, such as risk assessment, transportation, handling, proper storage of hazardous materials, and evacuation procedures. Uses a wide variety of formal training materials, such as outlines, handouts, publications, films, exhibits, protective devices, and visual aids to provide and/or reinforce information related to safe work practices, accident prevention techniques, and mishap reporting requirements. Promotes safety through poster campaigns, displays of safety equipment, and oral presentations at local community and regional safety committee meetings. Extracts, compiles, and prepares safety articles, bulletins, and pamphlets for local use by military, civilian, and contractor personnel. Maintains required course documentation/records.

6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional information

Veteran Preference may apply if the first area of consideration are not met.

Veterans Information: Veterans' information must be validated by formal submissions including all necessary supporting documentation. You must provide acceptable documents for eligibility. Acceptable documentation may be:

1. A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions.
2. A "certification" that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
3. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online. If claiming over 30% disability a SF-15 is required to be submitted with your letter.

NOTE: Prior to appointment, an agency will require the service member to provide a copy of the DD-214.

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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, general and specialized experience):

  • 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 the body 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.

Required Documents

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

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

2. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application.

a. A copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify)
b. SF-50's (current/former Federal employees)
c. DD-214
d. Other Veterans Document
e. SF-15 (VA Disability Form)
f. SF-50 (Mandatory for Internal Announcements)


RESUME REMINDER-
Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions in the assessment by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

AR HRO Customer Service
Address
AR ANG 188 WGH WG
Bldg 7300-Camp Robinson
North Little Rock, AR 72199-9600
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.