Industrial Hygienist

Summary The Industrial Hygienist at the Minneapolis VA performs a variety of functions related to the identification‑evaluation‑and control of occupational health hazards and to the promotion of healthful and safe working conditions. Industrial hygiene is concerned with the recognition‑evaluation‑and control of those workplace environmental conditions or stresses arising in or from the workplace that may cause sickness, impaired health, significant discomfort, or inefficiency. Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirement: Applicants must meet one of the following: 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 Board of Global EHS Credentialing (formerly American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)). Note: Transcripts and/or certification required. 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 as a professional engineering curriculum. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience involves the recognition, evaluation, and corrective actions of environmental conditions in the workplace that cause 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, 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, you must also qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: Requires one full year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS‑09 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Substitution of Education for Experience (Transcript Required): Successfully completed 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position. Combination of Education and Experience (Transcript Required): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned, then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify at the GS‑09. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience—including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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 Demands: Investigations and surveys involve moderate physical exertion—including carrying equipment, climbing, standing, walking, bending—and use of personal protective devices. Protective clothing or equipment may be necessary. Working Conditions: The work involves exposures to all hazards and discomforts including chemicals, noise, dust, aerosols, fumes, and operating equipment. Much of the work is performed in an office setting, but exposure to industrial hazards is expected multiple times weekly during walk‑through surveys. Duties Serve as Hazardous Materials Officer and responsible for initiation, development, administration, coordination, and auditing of the Hazardous Materials Program. Apply appropriate sampling techniques and procedures and may oversee the work of contractors engaged to perform specific monitoring. Respond to any requests, directives, reports, and/or inspections conducted by regulating/governing agencies. Maintain contact with external stakeholders (e.g., Federal Agencies, Community Partners, Standards organizations). Provide education programs designed to inform management, supervisors, and employees of potential hazardous exposures, applicable directives, and fire safety. Coordinate response to internal and external Safety/Industrial Hygiene audits, surveys, and inspections; ensure corrective action plans and preventive measures are initiated. When hazardous exposures are discovered, devise or work with engineers to develop control measures—such as changes in work procedures, systems, materials or use of personal protective equipment. Ensure that written policies and procedures are developed, implemented, and maintained for program related processes. Coordinate/audit the effort of staff involved with the Industrial Hygiene program to ensure it is developed and implemented in accordance with OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, OIG, Joint Commission and all internal policies and directives. Maintain industrial hygiene sampling equipment including selection, calibration, servicing, and repair. Conduct internal gap analysis of Industrial Hygiene programs; issue reports and track status of corrective and preventive actions. Conduct surveys of working conditions to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures and the effectiveness of existing control measures. Serve as the technical authority who ensures compliance with all safety and OSHA requirements by employees and contractors while on VA grounds/facilities. Monitor contracts and scheduled work for chemical fume hoods, Biological Cabinets, and IH sampling as necessary. Manage the reports and documents from inspections and interpret findings for determining required repairs, abatement, and follow‑up. Perform other duties as necessary. Work Schedule: Full‑time – Monday‑Friday – 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad Hoc telework only, per agency policy. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr