Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Office of Enforcement, Division of Accident Investigation, Special Investigation and Alternative Case Resolution (AI/SI/ACR), Arlington, VA.

This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Coordinates and/or advises the Program Manager on regulatory requirements pertaining to accident investigations. Directs or participates in accident investigations and actively participates in Agency efforts to address changes required as a result of the accident investigations and may be required to serve on ad hoc committees established to develop strategies for resolving problems in the mining industry.

Personally examines or participates in the examination of accident sites; interviews of survivors, witnesses and other parties. May also participate in the reconstruction of the mine environment prior to the accident. In most cases reconstruction will be extremely complicated due to the destruction caused by the accident or disaster. Reviews mine records, inspection reports, and other documents and participates in the writing of reports that address the causes) of accidents and disasters.

Coordinates and/or prepares revisions and interpretations of policy manuals and instructions affecting accident investigations in Enforcement and the Agency. Participates in writing/revising policies regarding implementation and interpretation of mandatory mine safety and health standards and applicable enforcement guidelines pertinent to accident investigations. Serves as a technical coordinator, advisor, and editor of manuals and handbooks, specifying requirements applicable to accident investigations.

Reviews and analyzes highly technical, complex and sensitive reports, including accident reports. Reviews citations and orders relating to findings during accident investigations.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 15% travel required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor's recommendation to the next grade.

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.
• Requires medical exam and must maintain physical requirements.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

At the GS-13 level applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-12 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to data analysis and evaluation of operational mine safety and health programs; applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to develop new procedures and approaches to resolve enforcement issues and reducing mine accidents; direct on-site inspections and/or accident investigations; producing written reports; proofreading written reports; knowledge of the special investigations process.

At the GS-14 level applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to data analysis and evaluation of operational mine safety and health programs; applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to develop new procedures and approaches to identify and resolve significant enforcement issues and reducing mine accidents; direct onsite inspections and coordinating and/ or conducting accident investigations; implementing, coordinating, analyzing and/or developing standards, policies and regulations; producing written reports; proofreading written reports; knowledge of the special investigations process.

Education

There is not substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Additional information

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 which 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

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses.

Categories

Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.

Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies required by this position.

Category C - Meets the specialized experience described in the minimum qualifications requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Interpersonal Skills: Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings and capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful, compassionate and sensitive and treats others with respect.

Mine Safety and Health: Knowledge of the enforcement activities and subsequent policies, and regulations required under the Mine Act and the Miners Act.

Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters atmosphere of open communication.

Written Communication: Expresses facts and ideas in writing in a clear, convincing and organized manner.

Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Reasoning/Analysis: Identifies rules, principles or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes data and information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

The information you provide on your resume may be verified by a review of your work experience, employment start/end dates/hours worked and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments (ex. interview, panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.)

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified".

Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.

- Resume - All Applicants are required to provide a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of your choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list month, year, and the number of work hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to the vacancy questionnaire.

- Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Active Duty ). Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. For more information, go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

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.