INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST

Summary This position is with the U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Boston Region, Hartford, CT Area Office. The full performance level for this position is a GS-12. Position is in the Bargaining Unit. Selectee will be expected to report to the office listed above. Responsibilities Major Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: 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. GS-12: Reviews scientific literature related to health hazards in the workplace, compiles data, performs quantitative analysis of health and exposure data, analyzes comments from affected groups and assists in preparing all necessary documents, including decision papers, work plans, analyses, standards package and related documents. Prepares draft sections of the preamble for proposed and final standards, draft and final guidance products, and other documents. Analyzes inspection records, conducts investigations and prepares reports, evaluates on-site inspections, and as requested, accompanies state investigators on compliance visits. Assesses the quality and uniformity an inspection program, identifies areas of state program operations which significantly deviate from federal requirements, and recommends corrective action. Interviews state officials with findings of potential problems. Assists in the preparation and review of directives and memoranda to provide field personnel information on health standards development and in providing technical information for the drafting of interpretations. Prepares seminars and speeches on OSHA rulemaking/guidance activities at meetings of groups and organizations affected by or interested in such activities. Skill in technical writing of governmental regulations and guidance. Collects, compiles, studies, and analyzes developments in industry, standards developed by other organizations, safety and health reports, scientific and technical periodicals, and other sources of background information to determine pertinent factors which make up work processes and health hazards created by such factors. With other occupational health specialists or industrial hygienists, visits industrial facilities to analyze work processes and health hazards evidenced. As the employee progresses, the assignments will become more difficult and complex with less supervision. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications THIS POSITION HAS A BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: 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 for Global EHS Credentialing (formerly American Board of Industrial Hygiene(external link) (ABIH)). 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. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience involves the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes 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, and 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. You must meet the "Individual Occupational Requirements" listed above and the "Specialized Experience" to qualify for INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST, as described below. At the GS-09 level: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, applicants must have at least 52 weeks specialized experience at the next lower level in the normal career progression of the position being filled. When compared to Federal experience, this experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-07. This experience may have been gained either in the Federal or Private sectors. Resumes should reflect the majority but is not limited to the following specialized experience listed below: Assisting in the planning of or conducting of occupational safety or occupational health inspections Conducting research and studies records or files regarding Occupational safety or occupational health mishaps/accidents Identifying occupational health and safety hazard Assisting in or knowledge of calculating penalties to be assessed based on the gravity of occupational safety and/or occupational health violations OR Education: completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as experience with assisting in identifying and evaluating health hazards; surveys, assessing, understanding, and investigating health problems, determining the probable cause, and recommending solutions. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as described below.At the GS-11 level: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, Applicants must have at least 52 weeks experience at the next lower level in the normal career progression of the position being filled. When compared to Federal experience, this experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-09. This experience may have been gained either in the Federal or Private sectors. Resumes should reflect the majority but is not limited to the following specialized experience listed below: Assisting in the planning and conducting of evaluations of workplace operations involving potentially hazardous environmental conditions Conducting formal interviews to identify unhealthful working conditions or causes of injuries/illnesses/fatalities Developing occupational safety or occupational health investigation or inspection reports Calculating penalties to be assessed based on the (a) gravity of occupational safety or occupational health violations and (b) the severity of possible injury or illness and the probability that such could occur OR Education: Completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. At the GS-12 level: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, Applicants must have at least 52 weeks experience at the next lower level in the normal career progression of the position being filled. When compared to Federal experience, this experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-11. This experience may have been gained either in the Federal or Private sectors. Resume should reflect but is not limited to the following specialized experience listed below: Investigating occupational health complaints Conducting file and/or record reviews, to include case files of previous occupational health investigations and inspections Conducting occupational health investigations and/or occupational health inspections Conducting workplace analyses and reviewing the occupational safety and health programs of employers and businesses Writing occupational safety and/or occupational health reports Testifying during and/or working with counsel in the development of litigation pursuant to occupational safety and/or occupational health cases. Education is not a substitution for experience at the GS-12 level. Education Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional Information Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. For more information, click Career Ladder Promotion Information For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy. Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click for more information on Pay, Leave, and Workforce Flexibilities. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to the appointment at the GS-11/12 level. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.