Industrial Hygienist -Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of Orlando VA Healthcare System (Station 675) including its satellite locations and those eligible under Career transition (CTAP) only as applicable.

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

The Industrial Hygienist -Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee assist with nonsupervisory work in one or more of the following areas:

• • Identifying, evaluating, and controlling environmental factors that can affect health and well-being in the workplace.
  • Assist in mitigating risks associated with occupational exposures.
  • Potential health hazards are identified, and analyses of toxic materials are made.
  • Exposure monitoring is conducted, and employees are promptly notified in case of overexposure.
  • Collaborate with Work Area Supervisors to develop compliance training and analyze training needs.
  • Other duties assigned.

Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Telework: This is not a Telework position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist -Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee/PD075280, PD075270, and PD075260
Physical Requirements: The work is usually sedentary, but it requires periods of walking, standing, bending, or climbing, and employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, laptops, and other similar materials.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date09/21/2026 of this announcement, Industrial Hygiene Series 0690; 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.

In addition to meeting the above IOR requirement, applicant must also meet the following grade requirement:

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
• For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.
• For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Qualifications GS-7
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Works under the close supervision of the environment of the Care Supervisor engineering Service or a hire graded industrial hygienist, who provides specific instructions on objectives, scope, methods, and deadlines for assignments.
• Support the monitoring of facility compliance with Federal and VA safety regulations by documenting observed conditions and reporting potential deviations to senior industrial hygienists.
• Prepares drafts briefings, handouts, and toolbox-talk materials for safety/industrial hygiene topics (e.g., hazard communication, basic exposure controls) and deliver short orientation updates to work groups under close supervision; incorporate supervisor feedback to ensure clarity and audience-appropriate language.

AND,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required, to qualify based on education for this grade level you must have IOR Basic Requirements.
OR,
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond.

Qualifications GS-9
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• The incumbent delivers briefings and presentations to workgroups and supervisors on inspections results and exposure-control recommendations, tailoring content to technical and non-technical audiences.
• The incumbent develop unit- level exposure assessment plans, collect characterizations data (agents, workforce, tasks), and recommend controls for elevated risks.
• Assist in evaluating compliance with established policies and procedures, including reviewing documentation, incident data, and control measures to ensure alignment with VA, OSHA, and NFPA standards.
• Conducts surveillance and basic sampling to assess hazardous material exposures (chemical biological, physical) and verify proper labeling, storage, and handling across OV AHCS facilities.

OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. (NOTE: This is in addition to the Industrial Hygiene Series 0690; Individual Occupational Requirement above).
OR,
Combination: Applicants may also combine above to meet beyond the GS9 Education and Specialized Experience to qualify at this level.

Qualifications GS-11
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:

• The incumbent is responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating a comprehensive Industrial Hygiene Program for the Orlando VA Medical Center and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Program elements include environmental monitoring; recordkeeping; medical surveillance; personal protective equipment; hazardous materials management; lead and asbestos control and abatement; and employee education and training.
• The position assists Medical Centers in establishing and maintaining Occupational Health Programs, developing Medical Center Policies (MCPs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), reducing or eliminating occupational hazards, and ensuring alignment with national and regional policies.
• The incumbent responds to inquiries, concerns, and complaints from VA leadership, visitors, employees, and employee representatives regarding occupational health matters.
• Responses may include environmental or personal exposure sampling using approved instruments and methodologies. The incumbent recommends corrective actions to mitigate or eliminate identified hazards to employees and visitors and designs, prepares, and delivers employee training.
• The incumbent conducts Industrial Hygiene inspections to determine compliance with Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) standards, regulations, and VA directives.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. 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 that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Industrial Hygienist position. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).
OR,
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level education (beyond a Master's or equivalent graduate degree) the second year) as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Industrial Hygienist position. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

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.

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/.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees). documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Certification from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (formerly American Board of Industrial Hygiene(external link) (ABIH)).
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Next steps