Industrial Hygienist

Duties

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Major Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

GS-07:

• Develops contacts with higher-graded specialists, industrial hygienists, and safety engineers in the immediate office or assigned inspection/compliance review assignment as well as line supervisors, employees, and employee representatives met during assigned inspections or compliance reviews.
• Communicates the nature and type of hazards and unsafe working conditions encountered, and to coordinate the carrying out of measures to correct any adverse occurrence, unguarded machine operations, and fire hazards.
• Motivates and encourages personnel who are usually willing and cooperative to adopt safe working practices and to remedy hazardous conditions.
• Resolves assignments that consist of specific, often unrelated duties which provide an orientation to occupational work and the different types of safety hazards and unsafe working conditions and the techniques, measures, and procedures used to eliminate or control them.
• Makes recommendations concerning the appropriate course of action to be followed by determining the merits of the case and by evaluating testimony and the applicability of OSHA policies and court decisions.

GS-09:

• Assists in planning and conducting portions or limited inspections or compliance reviews (or independently conducts inspections of business establishments and worksites whose operations are generally characterized by the presence of moderately stable, low-risk processes or some higher hazards or unsafe working conditions or technically difficult operations which are covered by specific written guidelines) in establishments and worksites.
• Deposes, makes affidavits and testifies in a court of law where an opposing attorney may challenge the competence of the IH including his/her work methods or findings.
• Conducts research assignments using internet technology to prepare for on-site inspections or in response to requests for information.
• Interprets the application of specific guidelines for particular phases of an inspection, exercising sound judgment in the application of industrial hygiene criteria to potential hazards or unsafe working conditions.

GS-11:

• Plans and conducts portions or limited inspections or compliance reviews (or independently conducts inspections of business establishments and worksites whose operations are generally characterized by the presence of moderately stable, low-risk processes or some higher hazards or unsafe working conditions or technically difficult operations which are covered by specific written guidelines) in establishments and worksites.
• Gains compliance with published standards by exchanging information, communicating findings and advice, and coordinating work efforts. Contacts often involve dealing with uncooperative persons and include serious technical disagreements and difficult labor-management relations.
• Conducts research assignments using internet technology to prepare for on-site inspections or in response to requests for information.
• Selects and applies appropriate regulatory provisions to determine whether establishments are complying with prevailing safety and occupational health standards.
• Conducts specific (targeted) outreach activities and provides information on OSHA legislation, regulations, and compliance activities to a variety of different audiences.
• Communicates orally and in writing, in order to communicate basic occupational safety and health information and guidance, participate in some outreach activities, and provide technically accurate information generated by requests for information.

As the employee progresses, the assignments will become more difficult and complex with less supervision.