Duties

Summary

This position is assigned to the Office of Polar Environment, Health and Safety (PESH), Office of Polar Programs (OPP), National Science Foundation and is located in Alexandria, VA. The mission of OPP is to support research in all areas of fundamental science and engineering in the Polar Regions, through research grants and awards to universities and other research organizations and through the provision of logistics support and infrastructure in the remote Polar Regions.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Safety and Occupational Health Program Management

Leads inspections of government-owned and operated research stations, field camps, airfields, construction sites, operations, and maintenance activities to determine Safety Program adherence and adequacy. Reviews safety documents to ensure they adequately identify and address safety and health hazards for the work being performed. Investigates conditions, practices, and equipment in order to identify hazards and suggest remedial actions to be taken to eliminate, control, or correct any hazards. In addition, determines adequacy of type and use of personal protective equipment. Prepares safety inspection report of findings. Discusses findings with Supervisors in an effort to develop new or revise existing, insufficient procedures. Ensures that deployment medical program is being executed within federal law and NSF OPP policy so that risk is mitigated to acceptable level due to complex health challenges in remote environments. Develops, provides, and evaluates safety and occupational health training to ensure standard is met.

Coordinates with engineers, geologists, biologists, chemists, and other specialists to ensure that planning and design processes include appropriate provisions for the protection of NSF employees, contractors, visitors, military, and other partners and stays engaged through the design, and construction phases of projects. Reviews designs, plans, and specifications designed by contractor Architect and Engineering (A&E) contractors to ensure compliance with all applicable safety and occupational health standards and acceptable practices. Interprets primary standards published in the Federal Register, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards, NSF OPP Safety policy, Corps of Engineers (COE) and established safety best practices to ensure NSF OPP programs and activities are congruent with them.

Applies subject matter expertise to draft safety and occupational health policy and strategic objectives for the Annual SMAP (Safety Management Action Plan) based on reviews of past incidents, lessons learned, and safety research. Plans, develops, implements, and monitors the effectiveness of safety promotional and educational campaigns designed to meet both general and specific goals for the reduction of accident occurrences with a focus on leading metrics.

Collaborates with and provides authoritative advice to the NSF OPP Safety and Occupational Health Officer/PM in the overall implementation of the NSF OPP Safety and Occupational Health Program.

Ensures that accident investigations analyze the precipitating factors and accident causes. Collects and evaluates accident data to determine trends and make recommendations in an effort to eliminate or control detected hazards. Conducts and participates in formal investigations to find causes of major accidents; helps research recommendations for specific investigative techniques, appropriate standards and practices, and interpretation of accumulated evidence as necessary to ensure a full, effective investigation and proper documentation of conclusions.

Leads short-term studies to identify potential occupational health hazards or investigate employee safety complaints. This may require the performance of monitoring using scientific devices to evaluate toxic, flammable, and/or explosive vapors, gases, fumes, or radioactive material; measure noise levels; illumination, or ventilation systems. Develops technical reports or findings and recommendations.

COR for Safety Contracts or IAAS

Ensures that all contracts or IAAs for safety support are executed per the specifications and in accordance with federal law. Involves staying trained and certified as required by federal law and NSF policies and use of NSF contract systems. Coordinates with Contracting Officer and keep supervisor, Safety and Occupational Health Officer/Program Manager aware of status for all agreements/contracts. Seeks funding approvals as required coordinating with other OPP program managers/officers.

Competencies:

Safety Engineering

Compliance Inspection

Project Management

Contracting/Procurement

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Teamwork/Collaboration

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person selected to fill this position must pass the physical examination and medical screening required for travel to the Polar Regions.

This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 50% of the time .

Travel Required

50% or less - This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 50% of the time.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Background investigation.
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
• US citizenship.
• Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 50% of the time.

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.

You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-14 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service, performing such duties as: Serving as a Safety Manager for a geographical area with multiple stations; implementing a comprehensive safety and occupational health program; conducting serious accident investigations to determine casual factors; conducting worksite evaluations to identify hazards, reviewing compliance, and training employees (this includes specifically evaluating Lead; Cadmium; Noise; Ergonomics; Silica; Asbestos ; Organic solvents; Mold, biologicals, and/or indoor air quality; Confined space; Ventilation; Radiation (e.g., Ionizing and/or Non-ionizing); Welding fumes; Formaldehyde; Hazardous waste site); analyzing safety data for trends and risks; preparing reports, briefings, training materials, and policy proposals; and, fostering an adaptive workplace culture to encourage innovation, increase customer service, and reduce costs.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person selected to fill this position must pass the physical examination and medical screening required for travel to the Polar Regions.

This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 50% of the time .

Education

Education may enhance skills required for this position; however, no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at this level.

Additional information

Relocation Expenses may be paid, contingent upon availability of funds.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):
ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least "Very Good" on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources

Veteran's Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation as specified on the SF-15.

NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.

For additional information on the NSF eRecruit system, please visit our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide .

This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person selected to fill this position must pass the physical examination and medical screening required for travel to the Polar Regions.

This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 50% of the time .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At NSF, this means a score of 90.0 or higher.

In the merit promotion selection process, due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

If you are an NSF employee on or eligible for a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status. All applicants are required to provide a resume, in any format they choose. Cover letters are optional.

If you are not an NSF employee as described above, but you are eligible under merit promotion , under an Interchange Agreements , under a non-competitive authority , or under a similar authority , you will be required to submit supporting documentation. This will typically require the submission of one or more of the following documents:

1. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50s) or comparable federal agency forms to verify your eligibility for reinstatement and/or grade/step/salary if you are a current or former permanent federal civil service employee.
• SF-50 must indicate that appointment is/was to a competitive service position with permanent tenure or conditional tenure within the last three years; OR, to a similar position in the excepted service at an agency that has an Interchange Agreement.
• An example of a comparable agency form is a personnel action from a DOD Non-appropriated Fund organization or from the US Postal Service for a current and continuing appointment without a break in service.
• Documents that are NOT comparable and NOT acceptable substitutes for a SF-50 include a SF-52, a Performance Appraisal form, a Personnel Action Request (PAR), or a Request for Personnel Action (RPA).

2. Performance appraisals and awards. If you do not possess or are unable to submit a performance appraisal at the time of application submission, further requests will be made during the interview and selection process.

3. DD-214 (Member-4 copy); and if applicable, the Department of Veterans Affairs Notice of Compensable Disability Rating from applicants requesting consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Veteran Recruitment Act (VRA), or the disabled veterans appointing authority.

4. Schedule A Certification - from applicants requesting consideration under the Schedule A appointing authority for disabled applicants.

5. Other - Documentation which verifies you are eligible to be appointed to a permanent position in the federal competitive civil service.

If you are requesting consideration under a Special Hiring Authority listed below, you must submit the required documentation as outlined in the regulation or Executive Order. Please also annotate your application to reflect that you are applying under a special hiring authority. If you are requesting consideration under a Special Hiring Authority not listed below, please email eRecruit@nsf.gov or reach out to the point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement.

• Pathways Interns who have completed their educational program, and are eligible for conversion.
• Returned Peace Corp Volunteers
• Certain Military Spouses (Executive Order 13473)
• Former Overseas Employees
• Foreign Service Employees
• Career Service Employees
• Postal Rate Commission Employees
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employees
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employees

If you are requesting special employment consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or
CTAP, you must submit documentation provided by your current or former employing agency verifying your eligibility for that program. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

You must submit proof of meeting the basic education requirement described in the QUALIFICATIONS paragraph. Therefore, you should submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met. [Include for jobs with positive education requirement only]

We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey . This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).

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.