Summary

The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Serves as Industrial Hygienist for Eastern Kansas Medical Center. Industrial hygienist is concerned with the recognition, evaluation, and control of those environmental conditions or stresses arising in or from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health, significant discomfort, or inefficiency. Major duties included the following but not limited to:

The employee determines the need for, or effectiveness of, control measures, and when necessary, recommends procedures which will be suitable and effective for the environment.
The incumbent will conduct surveys of working conditions to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures and the effectiveness of existing control measures. Where hazardous exposures are discovered, the incumbent will devise and work with engineers to develop control measures such as changes in work procedures, systems, materials, or the use of personal protective equipment.
Participates with national level committees to ensure that consistent and appropriate industrial hygiene measures are followed.
Makes hazard evaluation of new products introduced into the medical center and research for determining health hazard assignment and recommends rejections, substitution or unique controls, as appropriate, of items proposed for procurement including those which contain prohibited or highly toxic materials posing severe health hazards.
Develops and conducts educational programs designed to inform management supervisors and employees of potential hazardous exposures, applicable directives, latest control techniques, and general occupational health matters.
Requests immediate action from VA management to correct conditions which might be expected to cause serious illness, injury or death to employees, patients or the public.
Develops Executive Industrial Hygiene Briefing material for the Executive Leadership Team and other Committee Meetings. Develops the annual evaluation for the Industrial Hygiene Program and presents to upper management
Identifies actual and potential hazards and ability to explain the need to apply specific safety measures.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD05147A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidate in accordance with agency policy

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
Subject to a background/suitability investigation
May serve a probationary period
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Having a bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science. or A bachelor's degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included twelve (12) semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and eighteen (18) additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene. or Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)OR

Combination of Experience and Education GS-12: Having a combination of education and experience - at least twelve (12) semester hours of course work in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and eighteen (18) additional semester hours as specified above, plus appropriate experience or additional education? All science or engineering courses offered in fulfillment of the above requirements must be acceptable for credit toward the completion of a standard four (4)-year professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in science or engineering at an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

AND ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must also have specialized experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Specialized Experience GS-12: having at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skill and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is in or typically related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience is having professional knowledge of Industrial Hygienist (IH) concepts, principles, and practices that enables the IH to work independently, serve as a technical authority to provide expert advice, and direction on a range of IH matters; capable of conducting the most complex types of IH surveys; comprehension of applicable federal, state and local regulations, laws, directives, and applicable exposure and control procedures required to interpret legal requirements and serve as an expert witness in litigation cases; familiarity with education and training principles and practices; aptitude to train occupational safety and health professionals, management, supervisors, and employees; expertise in computer skills using various word-processing, databases and spreadsheets; skills and proficiency in technical writing of reports, and use analytical software to generate complex scientific reports.

Qualifying experience involves the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls.

Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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; religions; 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

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

Review our 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.

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Accepted:

Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certification
Proof of Marriage Status
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

Documents Required:

Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/13/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12204607.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Charlene Johnson

Phone

(314) 939-9137

Email

Charlene.Johnson4@va.gov

Address

VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System
2200 SW Gage Blvd
Topeka, KS 66622
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Industrial Hygienist Job in Topeka, KS