Duties

Serves as Chief of the Regulatory Development Division and is responsible for promulgating health and safety standards and regulations to promote safe and healthful working conditions at mining operations in the United States, and processes petitions for modification (requests for variances) filed by mine operators, as directed by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006. Supervises the regulatory development specialists in OSRV and serves as a subject matter expert regarding the promulgation of standards, regulations, and the disposition of petitions for modification. Organizes and assigns work and makes changes or adjustments in internal functions to better accomplish mission objectives. Represents MSHA in discussions with diverse stakeholders including organized labor representatives and mining industry representatives, to discuss potentially sensitive or controversial regulatory proposals. conducts public rulemaking hearings, or represents MSHA in those hearings, and interfaces with the Office of the Federal Register, the Department of Labor (DOL), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and other federal and state agency stakeholders. Expert knowledge of all controlling regulatory documents, e.g., the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, SBREFA, Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act. Knowledge of MSHA's mission, regulations, organization, function programs and policies and how these affect the regulatory oversight of mine safety and health operations. Ensures that standards and regulations are concisely and effectively written and easy for the public to understand. Serves as liaison between MSHA and the DOL Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (ASP) and other DOL officials for the purpose of obtaining Departmental approval on regulatory actions, and oversees the preparation of rulemaking documents to be published in the Federal Register. Serves as advisor and consultant on regulatory matters advising the Director and the leadership of MSHA and DOL, on statutes, regulations, and controlling guidance applicable to promulgation of standards and regulations. Has responsibility for understanding and representing the views of the Director, OSRV and MSHA leadership accurately and comprehensively. Oversees the management of the rulemaking docket including accurately collecting and disseminating current and archival records, certifying records for court filings, and posting rulemaking records. Skill in researching problems and issues, including evaluating the content of new or modified legislation to determine its impact on programs, resources, and priorities. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with high level officials both within and outside the Agency.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
• Requires supervisory probationary period if requirement has not been met.
• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Notification Concerning COVID-19 Vaccinations. As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to submit documentation of proof of vaccination or to be in the process of requesting an exception to the vaccination requirement before appointment or onboarding with the agency. The agency will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation can be accepted and how you can request to be considered for a legally required exception from this requirement.

Currently, implementation and enforcement of Executive Order 14043 has been suspended pursuant to an injunction pending further litigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14, in the Federal Service.

Examples of specialized experience includes all of the following:

• Evaluates and analyzes proposed legislation, draft regulations, executive orders, and Congressional testimony; and reviews regulatory documentation;
• Demonstrates professional knowledge in planning, organizing, carrying out projects, and advising senior staff on regulatory matters;
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with high level officials both within and outside the Agency;
• Expert knowledge of all controlling regulatory documents, Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, SBREFA, Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act; and,
• Exceptional skill in writing and managing the writing of others to produce clear and concise regulatory and policy documents that fully express the agency's intention and position in plain language.

Education

There is no educational substitution at the GS-15 level.

Additional information

Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have speech disabilities, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness so that all individuals can participate and contribute to their full potential.

All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact the vacancy contact on this announcement.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Position Telework eligibility is determined by management based on position duties during the recruitment process. Employee participation in telework on a routine or situational basis is determined by management primarily based on business needs. Employees participating in telework are subject to the terms and conditions of the Department of Labor's Telework Program.