Safety & Occupational Health Specialist

Summary: The Miami VA Healthcare System's Safety & Occupational Health Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Safety & Occupational Health Specialist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards – as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. Qualifications To qualify for this position—applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement—07/08/2026. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include—but are not limited to: 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, or occupational health nurse. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience (GS‑11). To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 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. Quick Note: 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. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond. Applicants will be rated on the following competencies for this position: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self‑Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience—including volunteer work—such as National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. 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 Requirements: Sedentary for long periods but is frequently required to make site visits to conduct surveys; these requiring prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, and other physical movement. Because the employee is often exposed to fire code inspections, construction sites, and hazardous materials—high levels of physical coordination, balance, and good health are required. For more information on these qualification standards—please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Duties The employee of this position will function as the Healthcare System Safety and Occupational Health Specialist. This includes Safety and Fire Protection Programs at Miami VA Healthcare System including a 240 bed hospital—200 bed Nursing Home Care Unit—five story Research and Education Building—incinerator—various trailers and temporary utility buildings. The employee also ensures these functions are performed at various outpatient clinics—CBOC's and Vet Center—Community Nursing Homes. Duties include— but are not limited to: Conducts or participates in safety and occupational health briefings with managers and employee representatives explaining purpose and scope of inspection and pertinent safety and occupational health regulations. Prepares final report or assigned portion of report—showing apparent violations—and recommends corrective actions with goals and deadlines for completion. Oversees—maintains— and updates the Center‑wide Material Safety Data Sheet System. Assists Safety Officer with confidential and other investigations of employee reports of unsafe and/or unhealthful working conditions. Drafts necessary reports and records required by VA—State—or other Federal regulatory agencies. Conducts safety related training including— but not limited to—Hazard Communication Standard—fire safety—respiratory fit‑testing—and occupational safety for employees and supervisors. Conducts follow‑up surveys of clinics—laboratories—pharmacies—engineering shops— and other areas to appraise implemented safety and health measures. Performs weekly—bi‑weekly—monthly—quarterly—semi‑annual—and annual inspections as required to determine compliance with safety and health regulations. Conducts and documents mandated Fire Drills and Disaster Drills. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Monday through Friday (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor). The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs. Position Description/PD#—Safety & Occupational Health Specialist/PD99389S. #J-18808-Ljbffr