Industrial Hygienist Job in Tulsa, OK

Vacancy No. CBSU-12698193-25-ESN Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $73,939.00 to $96,116.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/26/2025 Close Date 3/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tulsa, OK


Summary

Serves as an Industrial Hygienist at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare Center (EOVAHCS) where duties include, but are not limited to the following: asbestos control and abatement, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, hearing conversation, hazard communication, nitrous oxide, mercury, hazardous and infectious waste management, water testing and treatment, respirator program, and anti-neoplastic drugs. This is for the new facility James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center in Tulsa.

This job is open to

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. This is an open and continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until June 30, 2025.

Duties

Major duties of this position include but are not limited to....

  • The employee administers specific industrial hygiene programs for a facility.
  • The employee leads industrial hygiene surveys and investigations to determine the nature and severity of hazards.
  • The employee applies appropriate sampling techniques and procedures and may oversee the work of contractors engaged to perform specific monitoring.
  • The employee prepares technical reports identifying health hazards and recommends measure for the reduction or elimination.
  • The employee conducts briefings with supervisors to discuss industrial hygiene programs, the findings from industrial hygiene evaluations, and the approach to be taken to mitigate hazards.
  • The employee participates in the facility Safety Committee, Accident Review Board and/or Environmental Care Committee.
  • The employee requires professional knowledge and skills applicable to the performance of industrial hygiene duties to a wide range of industrial settings (or an extensive knowledge of a specialty area of industrial hygiene). The employee must possess professional knowledge
    required to identify and control a wide variety of occupational health hazards associated with industrial work operations. Skill in modifying approaches or applications within a specialty area is necessary to solve difficult problems. Knowledge of the full range of sampling
    techniques and control measures, as well as knowledge of administrative and managerial principles and procedures is required to plan and implement an industrial hygiene program covering all occupational health hazards.
  • The employees plans and conducts evaluations of work operations involving potentially hazardous environmental conditions, analyzes findings, and recommends corrective measures and controls. The employee formulates specific recommendations for control of
    health hazards found. The employee participates in the review for new or modified facilities, processes, and materials for evaluation of the adequacy of health hazard controls.
  • The employee and supervisor develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignments, resolving conflicts that arise, coordinating the work with others as necessary, and interpreting policy.
  • Evaluation of occupational health hazards involves the use of experienced judgment and quantitative measurement techniques to assess the magnitude of environmental stresses in relation to their potential to impair workers' health and well-being. Employing a wide variety
    of sampling instrumentation and techniques, and having an appreciation of the types and limitations of analytical methods used in interpreting sample results, the industrial hygienist determines the degree of hazard to which workers are exposed after ascertaining the intensity and duration of exposure.
  • The purpose of the work is to investigate, evaluate, analyze, and control a variety of occupational health problems or conditions in the workplace which may adversely affect the health of workers and to provide or recommend ways of eliminating problems. The work
    affects the design and operation of equipment, and work processes, as well as the adequacy of inspections or surveys and the health and well-being of the workers.
  • Assignments cover the full spectrum of occupational health hazards found in all but the most complex industrial environments. Thus, the assigned work activities involve a substantial amount and variety of exposure to hazards. The employee must recognize hazards which are uncommon, evaluate a variety of data, and institute or recommend effective control measures to protect the workers.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not available
Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD11736-A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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
  • 5 CFR 330.502 - General restriction on movement after competitive appointment. Cannot move for the 1st 90 days after hire.

Qualifications

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

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement that must be met in order to be considered:

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Basic Requirements

The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

  • 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 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 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(external link) (ABIH).

Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable.

Evaluation of Education

All science or engineering courses offered in fulfillment of the above requirements must be acceptable for credit toward the completion of a standard 4-year professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in science or engineering at an accredited college or university. For engineering degrees to be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) as a professional engineering curriculum.

Evaluation of Experience

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.

Note: All experience must be clearly annotated on your resume under your job history as applicable. If you are basing your qualification on education, you must provide a transcript from an accredited institution of higher learning. Failure to do may result in an unqualified rating

In addition to the Individual Occupation Requirement, you must also meet the specialized experience and/or directly related education below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Professional knowledge of industrial hygiene principles, procedures, standards, equipment, techniques, and methods.
  • Knowledge to a full range of industrial and hazardous operations such as: clinical, research, nuclear medicine and
    radiological procedures; use and storage of hazardous drugs and materials, building construction; maintenance shops;
    generating plants; warehousing; grounds maintenance; hazardous waste handling and disposal; and various other medical
    center operations where there is exposure to hazardous materials and environments.
  • Knowledge and skill in the use of a full range of industrial hygiene sampling techniques, instrumentation, analytical
    methods, and control measures utilized to identify and control industrial hygiene exposures.
  • Knowledge of administrative practices to manage and direct an industrial hygiene program including planning and
    initiating surveys of work operations to identify and quantify hazardous conditions, and personal contact with medical
    center personnel to convey information and obtain corrective action.
  • Knowledge and ability to prepare technical written and oral detailed plans, survey reports, corrective action, and follow up
    reports.
OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Education must be directly related to the position.

OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelors degree. (See requirements above)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Communication
  • Health Risk Analysis
  • Technical Competence


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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The performance of duties requires long periods of walking, standing, crawling, kneeling and bending. Moderate lifting
and carrying of equipment, use of personal protective devices, and work in hazardous and confined spaces is required.
Use of all appendages, good vision, and hearing are necessary. Emotional and mental stability are required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

A 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.

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
  • Other (2)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume
  • Transcript

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.

How to Apply

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 03/25/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12698193.

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

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System
1011 Honor Heights Drive
Muskogee, OK 74401
US

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.


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


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