SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Clarification from the agency

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

1. Performs a broad range of safety and occupational health duties in one or more areas of safety and occupational health. Performs periodic inspections, assessments and evaluations on numerous programs such as high-risk activity programs, supervisory safety training, and emergency/disaster preparedness to determine compliance with appropriate safety and occupational health regulations.
2. Plans and carries out formal investigations of reportable and non-reportable mishaps involving personal injury accidents, property damage, covering a wide range of work operations. Assigned area involves a substantial number and diversity of hazards that may cause mishaps with significant severity and loss.
3. Develops specialized operating practices, modifying or departing significantly from standard techniques when necessary based on interpretation of policies, standards, and regulations.
4. Reviews plans and specifications for new construction, major building alterations, and/or changes in installation equipment and monitors project through completion to ensure compliance with safety codes and standards.
5. Provides technical safety training/instruction to supervisors, employees, and/or unit safety representatives on a wide range of work operations areas, such as traffic safety techniques, proper storage of hazardous materials, common laboratory hazards, and building evacuation procedures.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance.
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
• For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
• Position may require an appropriate security clearance. Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
• This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection. Position may be subject to random drug testing.
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Incumbent may occasionally be required to be in an on-call status outside normal duty hours or on holidays.
• Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate valid driver’s license is required for the position.
• Will be required to train/guide other employees.
• Employee will be required to support Base Readiness and Emergency Operations Exercises and Real World Threats and Events.
• The work will require the employee to carry an electronic beeper or cell phone.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-01, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-04 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is experience in performing safety and occupational health duties on a military installation, including conducting periodic inspections of high-risk programs, leading formal mishap investigations involving personal injury or property damage, and applying risk assessment techniques to resolve hazards. Experience also includes developing specialized operating practices, reviewing engineering drawings and construction plans to ensure compliance with safety codes, and preparing and delivering formal safety training on hazardous materials, evacuation procedures, and regulatory standards to supervisors and personnel.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OR
EDUCATION:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Managing safety or occupational health program elements.
• Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management.
• Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements.
• Developing safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards.
• Developing or implementing programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses.
• Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
• Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate hazards.
• Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards.
• Training of workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects.
• Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse.

Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR
CERTIFICATES:

Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicant may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of numerous established safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures, laws, regulations, and current legislative issues as they relate to the military installation occupational safety program; the requirements, methods, and techniques of accident and mishap investigation, analysis, resolution of normal occupational safety problems/health risks, and formal reporting procedures; and risk assessment methods and techniques for evaluating normal safety and occupational health risks.
• Knowledge of communication techniques, principles, and regulations to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in responding to work related problems and questions.
• Knowledge of basic construction standards, methods, practices, techniques, materials, and equipment to determine compliance with regulations and standards.
• Knowledge of standard training techniques, methods, and materials sufficient to prepare and present formal training and instructional sessions.
• Skill in the interpretation of engineering drawings and specifications sufficient to identify hazardous conditions in proposed facilities.
• Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

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