Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Summary

This position is based at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago within the Research and Development Service. The Service supports the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Research and Development and advances efforts to improve the quality, delivery, and efficiency of care for veterans. The role serves as a critical safety resource for research activities at the medical center, ensuring compliance and supporting safe research operations.

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Duties

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• Conducts safety surveillance audits and inspections according to the required standards and regulations and depending on the degree of hazard.
• Obtains immediate corrective action of conditions, which are of imminent danger to life or limb.
• The incumbent Investigates hazardous conditions, equipment, practices, etc. to identify and analyze the nature and severity of hazards and possible remedial actions (i.e., elimination, correction, or protection).
• Ensures corrective actions are initiated and consults with facility and medical center subject matter specialists and managers about changes in work processes and proposed methods to eliminate unnecessary risks and control hazardous conditions.
• Investigates or assist investigators in investigating accidents/mishaps, obtains witness statements, photographs the accident scene, records circumstances and extent of injuries, estimates cost of property damages, and prepares a report of findings which includes recommendations to correct unsafe acts or conditions.
• Independently schedules surveys of the Research office and laboratory areas to identify and evaluate the potential for risk, The incumbent determines if existing conditions comply with accepted JCAHO and local standards, which safety policies and procedures apply and if the procedures and policies are adequate to cover all hazards.
• The incumbent certifies that specific safety practices are in place prior to beginning work.
• The incumbent processes report's on accidents identified within the Research Service, assuring compliance with medical center policy.
• Reviews the procedures for access to the facility to ensure access is restricted to authorized personnel.
• Advises higher-level management on the status of the safety and occupational health programs and recommends changes in the design of work programs to meet new safety and occupational health standards.
• Instructs employees on a variety of safety and occupational health topics to include chemical, biological, or physical safety, various laboratory safety needs, and ventilation requirements.
• Instructs and assists research investigators in preparing and submitting biohazard statements for their
  associated grant proposals.
• Identifies possible hazards, determines its use, any storage requirements, its bio-safety level, and necessary safety precautions to advise investigators in preparing grant proposals.
• The incumbent investigates procedures and policies for unknown/unfamiliar chemicals and hazards and reports findings to Research management for action. Approves final biohazard statements.
• Plans, develops, implements, and promotes safety campaigns, education materials, and training programs; selects appropriate medium (i.e. lecture, safety meetings, posters, video, brochures, training assembly, etc.) for all research personnel, both paid and unpaid employees. (Approximately 125-350 employees) that ranges from basic orientation in the general laboratory for new technicians, to more detailed, recurring instruction for the more experienced personnel.
• Documents employee's training progress to ensure regular attendance and compliance with JCAHO accrediting regulations.
• Works with research administrative staff and laboratory personnel in the establishment of realistic safety requirements and compliance with applicable directives and regulations.
• Works with processing plans for records and the record systems to handle, control, operate, store, check and retrieve data. Updates the required trainings as needed in Forms and Templates and tracks and approves training thru completion.
• Writes/prepares safety guides and instructions for risks encountered in Research laboratories and offices to keep employees informed and safe.
• As coordinator and Executive Secretary for the Sub-Committee on Research Safety, reviews issues prior to presenting them at the meeting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Compressed : May be available at management's decision.

Telework : Telework may not be authorized. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to the in-person work mandate in their current position.

Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space.

Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer.

Position Description/PD#: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist/ PD211580

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement evaluation is required.
• 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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, 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 date of this announcement, 08/21/2026.

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-9. 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. 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. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education or certification as described below:

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): To qualify as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist GS-11 you must meet one of the below qualification methods.

IOR 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.

OR

IOR Specialized Experience: 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:

• Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes.
• Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgements
• 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.

OR

IOR 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. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience.

AND

GS-11 Grade Determination : Level of education and/or experience must be reflected in one of the below statements.

Specialized Experience : Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization? To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet 3/5 of the following examples of specialized experience. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Computer technology for the storing of information pertaining to accident reports and material safety data sheets
• Knowledge of a physical, chemical or biological field sufficient to apply standard safe practices, procedures, and equipment guides to a medical facility work environment and to aid in promoting the adoption of safe working patterns
• Collaborates and understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues
• Apply procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance
• Present information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communications; demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of a specific audience; actively listens to others and demonstrates understanding of their comments and/or questions.

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., if related.

OR

Combination Education & Specialized Experience : Specialized experience and education beyond 2 years of graduate education.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

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: 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. For further information, visit:

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.