Duties

Summary

The OSH Specialist will provide professional safety and health services for routine and requested inspections and evaluations of Legislative Branch workplaces. These spaces include the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, the Capitol Power Plant, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and other facilities. The OSH Specialist will work with a team within the Office of the General Counsel.
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Responsibilities

The OSH Specialist will provide professional safety and health services for routine and requested inspections and evaluations of Legislative Branch workplaces. These spaces include the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, the Capitol Power Plant, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and other facilities. Workplaces and work operations to be inspected include: warehouses, workshops, special collection storage facilities, office spaces, electrical and mechanical spaces, landscaping, equipment operations, high voltage equipment maintenance, permit required confined space entry and more. Assignment of work is based on qualifications and priorities set by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. The OSH Specialist will work with a team of OSH Specialists and attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel.

The OSH Specialist will conduct in-person inspections of approximately 78 facilities and complex work operations over an area of 18 million square feet, and make assessments to identify OSH hazards.

• Identify violations of OSH standards and violations of the General Duty clause of the OSH Act of 1970;
• Investigate unsafe working conditions that could lead to injuries or illnesses, and recommend findings;
• Make recommendations to employing organizations for developing plans and programs for implementing corrective actions;
• Recommend measures for controlling, abating, and reducing risk for identified hazards;
• Report inspection findings using the Office's data base and identify corrective actions for abating hazards;
• Interview employees and collect measurements necessary to quantify employee exposures;
• Document and track abatement of hazards by employing offices;
• Assist in the provision of technical assistance by analyzing work environments and recommending program designs to control, eliminate, and prevent illness or injury caused by chemical, physical, radiological, and biological agents, or ergonomic factors;
• Assist with conducting investigations for requested inspections and in the preparation of reports of the findings and risk factors;
• Assist in collecting data used in the preparation of biennial reports to Congress on the status of the OSH program;
• Assist with other tasks as assigned to support the occupational safety and health program effort;
• Conduct ADA inspections, identify barriers to access for people with disabilities, and enter barriers into the Office's database.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Less than 10%. Some trips overnight to Culpeper, VA are necessary.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to perform the in-person inspections described in the "Major Duties/Responsibilities" section above.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Ability to use a computer to enter data, conduct research, and compose reports.
• Knowledge of OSH principles, methods, and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in enforcing OSH standards, related codes, regulations, and consensus guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting OSH investigations and inspections.
• Skill in organizing and drafting reports of a technical and/or enforcement nature in the OSH area.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Industrial Hygiene experience is desirable, particularly: planning and conducting evaluations of work operations in potentially hazardous environmental conditions; evaluating chemical, biological, and other health hazards; analyzing testing results and other findings; and proposing measures and controls to minimize risk.

Education

• A Bachelor's Degree is required.
• A degree in occupational safety and health is preferred, but not required.

Additional information

Benefits

The successful candidate may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. Life Insurance coverage is also provided. New federal government employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. You will earn annual vacation leave and sick leave. You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. Tele-work/telecommuting and alternative work schedule options may be made available. If you use public transportation, part of your transportation cost may be subsidized. You can use Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts for expenses that are tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including out-of-pocket expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans.

Other Information

A security clearance is required. You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance to serve in this position. If you currently possess a security clearance, please indicate the level and termination date in your resume. Additionally, a criminal background check will be performed on the selected candidate.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Upon review of the resumes and cover letters, the Office will determine which candidates will be asked to interview. Candidates will be notified and scheduled for interviews, if selected.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Cover letter summarizing the applicant's qualifications for and interest in the position.

Resume demonstrating applicant's ability to perform the major duties and responsibilities of the position.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.