Safety & Occupational Health Specialist

Summary This position is located at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center – Chicago – IL and is organizationally aligned under the Research and Development Service Line. The primary purpose of this position is to act as a laboratory safety and hygiene resource for Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in their medical Research and Development Service. This position identifies and initiates corrective action on potentials for risk arising from medical research and its related activities. Qualifications To qualify for this position at the GS‑11 level, you must meet the following requirements: Specialized experience: one year in safety and occupational health, including activities such as managing safety programs, developing policy, applying laws and regulations, developing standards, implementing programs to reduce accidents, analyzing hazards, designing solutions, inspecting compliance, training staff, and related occupational roles (industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, occupational health nurse). Additional specialized experience in research laboratory safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, practices, and procedures. Substitution of education for experience: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education with a major in safety or occupational health fields, or a degree in related fields with at least 24 semester hours of study in disciplines such as safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, or industrial psychology (proof of transcripts required). Combination of experience and education: equivalent combinations of graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements (proof of transcripts required). For more information on qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website. Notes NOTE : This is not a virtual position; applicants must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location. Duties Conduct safety surveillance audits and inspections frequently according to required standards and regulations. Review safety policies, procedures, and published regulations by serviced organizations. Conduct comprehensive analytical surveys and studies of serviced safety programs. Investigate hazardous conditions, equipment, and practices to identify and analyze the nature and severity of hazards and possible remedial actions. Investigate accidents and mishaps, obtain witness statements, photograph accident scenes, record circumstances and injuries, and estimate property damage costs. Research promotional items and campaigns to initiate and maintain interest in accident prevention and occupational health for on‑the‑job and off‑the‑job employee activities. Develop or adapt materials for safety campaigns and training courses. Maintain historical safety records and note trends or changing conditions that warrant revision of safety procedures. Plan, schedule, and conduct difficult inspections in establishments and worksites where there is a strong probability of encountering hazardous work processes and materials and unsafe environmental conditions involving a substantial number of employees. Ensure safety programs meet regulatory compliance by oversight agencies. Prepare reports on investigation findings, including recommendations to correct unsafe acts or conditions that caused an accident. Manage computer programs and databases to enhance management of safety programs. Perform other duties as assigned. Work schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. #J-18808-Ljbffr