Mine Safety and Health Specialist (Health)

Duties

Duties listed are performed at the Full Performance Level, GS-14. The GS-13 is developmental in nature and will prepare the incumbent for the full performance level. Incumbents will be provided leadership from higher graded specialist or employee's supervisor until they reach the Full Performance Level (GS-14).

• Plans the development and manages the implementation of training classes and seminars for field personnel on regulations, policies, enforcement procedures, accident analyses, and prevention regarding the Part 90 Program, CWP, dust programs, and other MS&HE contaminates of miner exposure.
• Identifies, defines, and proposes comprehensive policy studies that define major issues and lead to new or revised legislative policy proposals which set the dust standards to prevent occupational respiratory disability in miners.
• Makes recommendations and solves problems on Part 90 and Respirable/Total Dust having major implications for developing, targeting, and managing governmental and private programs for MS&HE at the Federal, State, and local levels.
• Develops new policies and procedures regarding implementation and interpretation of mandatory Part 90 Program, CWP, and Respirable/Total dust standards, diesel exposure standards, noise standards, and other miner exposure standards, as well as applicable enforcement guidelines.
• Develops agency plans, regulations, and instructions concerning supplementation, enforcement, and administration of the requirements of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and the MINER Act.
• Prepares regulatory reports, congressional correspondence, public, and industry correspondence, conducts oral briefings, and redress advice and opinions to representatives of labor, industry, manufacturers, and other interested parties.
• Provides information to the Solicitor's Office and provides testimony as an Agency expert witness at hearings regarding health and enforcement as it relates to dust control. Represents the agency as an active participant at official meetings, and national conferences with top representatives.
• Functions as a staff representative and technical expert on committees regarding noise, dust, and general health health-related matters, and represents MSHA at conferences and other industry activities.
• Interprets, explains, provides and shares information or advises on health standards, policies, procedures, guidelines, and programs to others.
• Performs special projects and assignments and provides technical assistance to headquarters staff, districts, and industry.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.

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 a legally required exception from this requirement.

Currently, implementation and enforcement of the requirement to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043 has been suspended pursuant to an injunction pending further litigation.

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-13 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience can include, but are not limited to: planning the development and/or managing the implementation of training classes and seminars on regulations, policies, enforcement procedures, and accident analyses and prevention regarding respirable dust dust control, Coal's Part 90 Program, and Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis (CWP) program.

To qualify for the GS-14 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-13, in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience can include, but are not limited to: providing advice and guidance on a full range of compliance efforts regarding regulations, policies, enforcement procedures, accident investigation, Coal's Part 90 Program, Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis (CWP) program, ventilation systems and respirable dust control techniques, and other miner health related exposure sampling/monitoring and control.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13/14 levels.

Additional information

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.

Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf, 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 are able to 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