SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - TITLE 5

Clarification from the agency

Current on-board Federal Employees within the state of Georgia.

As a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, GS-0081-11, you will:

Perform 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. Conducts safety and occupational health surveys of facilities and equipment related to the full range of work operations. Uses a comprehensive knowledge of a wide variety of regulations, standards, procedures, methods, and techniques to determine compliance with safety and occupational health regulations, modifying or adapting to eliminate or minimize hazards. Normal to high safety risks are encountered in assigned areas which include base operations and facilities, such as industrial shops and operations, aircraft and vehicle maintenance facilities and shops, administrative areas, supply and warehousing, seasonal/recreational areas, construction sites, etc. Evaluates a variety of complex, unconventional safety and occupational health problems or circumstances such as playground equipment and base traffic patterns; ensures correct safety and protective equipment is available and in use; and determines risk assessment of the hazardous processes/conditions identified. Determines and recommends applicable methods and procedures, such as fault tree analysis and risk management, for controlling or eliminating hazards. Documents and reviews inspection, assessment and evaluation findings and prepares formal reports for dissemination to appropriate parties.

Plan and carry 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. Serves as the investigation officer for formal mishap investigations such as Safety Investigation Boards (SIB) involving class A and B mishaps. Obtains statements from witnesses, photographs mishap scene, records circumstances of mishap and extent of injuries, estimates cost of property damage, and prepares a formal report of findings with proposed recommendations and abatement dates to correct the unsafe acts/conditions. Compiles and analyzes mishap data, identifies trends, provides managers with mishap/trend analysis data, and assists them in developing programs to reduce mishaps. Prepares formal reports using the Air Force Safety Automated System (AFSAS) program. Uses statistical data to prepare charts, tables, and reports. Based on observed trends, recommends and implements training aimed at mishap/accident prevention.

Develop specialized operating practices, modifying or departing significantly from standard techniques when necessary based on interpretation of policies, standards, and regulations. Coordinates with other installation offices regarding safety matters affecting installation personnel and devises specialized operating practices involving diverse but recognized hazards. Prepares and/or revises standard local safety instructions and guides such as local supervisory safety guide, and unit safety representative guide that are relevant to base employees and current or planned contractor operations. Devises specialized operating practices involving hazards associated with various holiday celebrations such as fourth of July celebrations, safety campaigns, air shows etc. Evaluates safety standards adopted by national safety associations, societies, or institutes; publications on work processes; and current industrial problems and makes recommendations as to local application. Drafts local procedures or abatement actions for conditions not directly addressed by existing standards or guidelines. Reviews and revises local procedures as necessary.

Review 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. Recommends design changes not included in the original plan and provides technical recommendations to eliminate or control safety hazards in the repair and maintenance of installation facilities and equipment. Develops specialized operating practices affecting construction matters associated with diverse but recognized hazards and attends pre-construction conferences to brief contractor on applicable safety and health requirements. Identifies potential safety hazards to assure adequate fire exits, stairways, aisle space, means of egress, etc.

Perform other duties as assigned.

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.
• The employee must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
• The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. The employee may be recalled to duty.
• You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.
• This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration.
• Incumbent may occasionally be required to be in an on-call status outside normal duty hours or on holidays.
• This position requires employee to occasionally work under adverse environmental conditions.
• This position requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position.
• May be required to travel by car, in military and/or commercial aircraft, and by other means of transportation as appropriate to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Recruitment incentive may be available pending fund availability.

Qualifications

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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. 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.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

To qualify based on your experience, your resume must describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience is defined as: performing a broad range of safety and occupational health duties in one or more areas of safety and occupational health. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Organizational Development, Human Resource Management or Business Administration (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

Volunteer Experience: 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; religious; 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.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated.

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 and other characteristics):

• Safety and Health Training and Education

You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional.

Your most recent SF-50 and a complete resume is required. Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume, but it is acceptable to provide elsewhere in your application package: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr.), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. TIP: A good way to ensure you include all essential information is to use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS to create your resume.

Are you applying for a promotion? If you are a current GS employee applying for a higher grade than the grade that you currently hold you must provide an SF-50 that shows that you have held the next lower grade for at least one year. Some SF-50s effective within the last 52 weeks will not demonstrate you have held the next lower grade for at least one year (e.g. General Adjustment SF-50 from this year). In many cases, we need to see two (2) SF-50s to determine time-in-grade and eligibility for promotion. If you are a DoD employee, you can obtain a copy of your SF- 50(s) from MyBiz.

Are you claiming membership in any professional organizations, or possession of a license, certificate or credentials? Check the Conditions of Employment section above to see if any are required. If you claim membership, license, certification, or credentials, you must submit a copy of said document in your application package.

Are you using education as a substitute for some or all of the experience requirement? Is there a basic education requirement for this position? Check the Education section above to see what is allowed and what is required. Any claims you make in your resume or assessment questionnaire regarding education or degrees MUST be supported by official or unofficial transcripts or a list of courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned issued from your school. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position. You may submit a copy your degree(s) if specific coursework does not have to be verified. Claims for approved "grandfather" clauses must be fully supported with documentation.

Are you a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference or claiming sole survivorship preference? You must submit a copy of your latest DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (any copy that shows all dates of service, as well as character of service [Honorable, General, etc.] is acceptable) OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service connected disability AND character of service. If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty service, submit a copy for each period of service. If you were issued a DD-215 to amend aforementioned information on the DD-214 you must submit that too. If you are not sure of your preference eligibility, visit the Department of Labor's website: Veterans' Preference Advisor

Are you a disabled veteran or claiming 10-point veterans' preference?
If you are eligible to claim 10 point veterans preference you must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty as described above for 5-point preference.

You must also provide the applicable supporting documentation of your disability (e.g. disability letter from the VA) as described on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

Are you an active duty service member? Active Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents contain personal information such as SSN and DOB and some documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove said personal information before you submit your application. You must provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected.

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