Safety & Occupational Health Specialist

Summary The primary purpose of this position is to conduct safety and fire protection surveys at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) and satellite clinics. The incumbent is responsible for an assigned area of the HCS involving a wide variety of high-risk operations, facilities, and environmental conditions. Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (06/08/2026). 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. For a GS‑9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑7. For a GS‑11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑9. For a GS‑12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑11. The grade may have been in any occupation – but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF‑50 showing 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 the required one‑year time‑in‑grade. In that case 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. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) – Education: Undergraduate and graduate education. Major study in safety or occupational health fields (safety – occupational health – industrial hygiene) – or a 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. Experience: Experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provides the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include 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 involving 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 workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects; and working in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse. Certificates: Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP) – or a similar certification that included the successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS‑5. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience. Additional qualifications: For GS‑9 Specialized Experience, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑07. For GS‑11 and GS‑12, a master’s or doctoral degree (or LL.B., J.D., LL.M.) or equivalent graduate education may substitute for experience. A combination of education and experience may also qualify, provided it exceeds the minimum requirements. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Duties The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: the incumbent will be assigned work and/or receive training with the objective of acquiring the qualifications needed to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the attached second level position description. Practical knowledge of industrial hygiene, environmental and safety engineering and fire protection sufficient to identify common deficiencies found in assigned work area. Knowledge of infection control procedures such as Standard Precautions; ability to read and interpret blueprints; knowledge of established construction practices; and ability to use and educate others on appropriate PPE. Knowledge of HCS policies and procedures regarding the proper format for required documentation; knowledge of safety and occupational health principles, methods, and standards; regulations and policies applicable to conventional construction projects and necessary environmental conditions and mechanical risks to personnel. Develop hazard control designs, methods, procedures, and programs to support established facilities and future construction by evaluating and assessing the probability and severity of loss events and accidents that may result from actual or potential hazards. Inspects construction projects to determine compliance with applicable occupational safety standards. Performs periodic on‑site surveys for assigned organizations. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. #J-18808-Ljbffr