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Supervisory Mine Safety and Health Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Closing date
Dec 8, 2020
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Mine Safety and Health Enforcement (Enforcement) program area. The mission of Enforcement is to assist the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health in the
implementation of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (P.L. 95-164) (Mine Act) as it pertains to the enforcement activities of MSHA.

This position is outside the bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Mine Safety and Health Specialist for the Safety and Health Divisions, and as such, exercises program responsibility for the planning, coordination, and direction of safety and health enforcement activities. The incumbent has delegated authority to commit Enforcement to specific courses of action, consistent with the general views and policy objectives of the Administrator and Regional Administrators. As designated, the incumbent represents the views of the organization with respect to issues of national importance in meetings with senior MSHA and DOL staff and serves as a member of intra- and inter-agency ad hoc committees. Incumbent exercises decision-making authority, within the parameters of federal regulations, and DOL/MSHA regulations, and policy and program objectives; participates with, and collaborates in, the planning and coordination of long-range program planning with other MSHA Directors, Administrators, Regional Administrators, and the Associate Solicitor for the Division of Mine Safety and Health; develops information and plans related to the strategic planning of the future operations of the organization; provides programming input and advice in terms of safety and health enforcement, and interprets implications of inspection findings and enforcement actions, and makes recommendations. Further, the incumbent reviews organizational strategies, including those proposed by subordinate offices, to achieve the goals established at all levels including MSHA's Operating Plan & Secretary's Vision, the Assistant Secretary, and the Administrator, and advises the Administrator and Regional Administrators on all matters concerned with the formulation and revision of overall policy and program goals, as well as achievement strategy. Incumbent exercises technical authority to assure the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement programs ensuring adherence to Federal regulations, DOL and MSHA regulations, policies and procedures; evaluates MSHA field activities involving compliance and enforcement audits, procedures, and determinations that affect coordinated management efforts to maximize MSHA's effectiveness as a field-based inspection and compliance agency; identifies program management problems; assesses program management needs; and assures the presence and flow of communication between the Regions and HQ. Reviews strategies proposed by subordinate offices to achieve compliance pursuant to the Mine Act.

The incumbent serves as an advisor to the Administrator on sensitive issues and projected problems requiring the Administrator's and Regional Administrators' immediate attention or intervention, including employment and labor relations matters; recommends actions that address and resolve deficiencies; and develops alternative approaches to resolve issues in a timely manner. The incumbent has the authority to speak on behalf of and represent the views of the Administrator and Regional Administrators on matters essential to operations and program activities. Incumbent provides comprehensive recommendations for improvements to include: establishment and/or modification of program objectives, policies, procedures, resource allocations, as well as disciplinary and/or remedial actions and coordinates these efforts with Regional and HQ personnel, as appropriate, to ensure resolutions are consistent and timely in compliance with the governing regulations. Incumbent may be responsible for special assignments of a particularly confidential or sensitive nature involving operational, managerial, or personnel issues and will be expected to utilize the utmost discretion in accomplishing the work. Ensures the review of and advises the Administrator and Regional Administrators on all matters involving employee personnel/labor issues that require the personal action of the Administrator or Regional Administrators. Oversees the coordination and review of MSHA's ACR program that relates to mine health and safety violations, citations, orders, conferences, and litigation procedures. Ensures conformity with legal procedures, precedents, and Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission decisions, appeals, and policy issues; identifies potential weaknesses in litigation and compliance relevant to their respective Enforcement Health and Safety areas. Participates in the planning and coordination of long-range ACR needs and program objectives. Responds to external inquiries, such as congressional inquiries and parties expressing mine safety and health concerns. Supervises a staff of supervisors and their employees. Is responsible for staff selection, performance evaluation, promotion, discipline, and training and for assignment and review of work. Responsible for on-the-job safety and health of employees under his/her supervision. Initiates activities to assure conformity with established local and MSHA safety program to satisfy this responsibility.

Travel Required

25% or less - 25% or less

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15 - This position is at the Full-Performance Level (FPL).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
  • Requires a valid drivers license.
  • Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
  • Requires supervisory probationary period if requirement has not been met.


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

Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.

You may not be aware, but in the regulations for agency ethics programs, there are requirements for supervisors. Section 2638.103 of Title 5 of the CFR states:
  • Every supervisor in the executive branch has a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. It is imperative that supervisors serve as models of ethical behavior for subordinates. Supervisors have a responsibility to help ensure that subordinates are aware of their ethical obligations under the Standards of Conduct and that subordinates know how to contact agency ethics officials. Supervisors are also responsible for working with agency ethics officials to help resolve conflicts of interests and enforce government ethics laws and regulations, including those requiring certain employees to file financial disclosure reports. In addition, supervisors are responsible, when requested, for assisting agency ethics officials in evaluating potential conflicts of interest and identifying positions subject to financial disclosure requirements.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualification 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.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirement: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled and cannot be taught within 90 days.

GS-15 - Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position being filled. Qualifying specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the Federal mine safety and health laws, standards, regulations, policies and procedures as they relate to mining enforcement activities. Implementing, coordinating, analyzing, and/or developing safety and health standards, policies and regulations as they relate to environmental mining hazards, including but not limited to equipment safety, respirable dust, radioactive gases and dust, noise, health and other mine contaminants , both safety and environmental. Managerial and supervisory knowledge of and the ability to direct complex, technical mining enforcement activity and to motivate subordinate personnel.

Your resume should be clear and specific, we do not and will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Job Titles alone are not sufficient.

Education

There is no educational substitution in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-15 grade level.

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.

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

All MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) 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. For questions, please contact the vacancy contact listed on this announcement. All MSHA Inspectors are required to file within 30 days of entrance of duty, and annually thereafter, a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 .

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: Skill in establishing and maintaining effective cooperative working relationships with diverse groups such as Federal and State governments; labor unions, mining industry, academia and the general public. Is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Oral and Written Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with technical and non-technical personnel in a variety of occupations to prepare detailed technical documentation. Ability to express information to individuals or groups effectively, listens to others, and responds appropriately.

Mine Safety and Health: Knowledge of Federal Mine Safety and Health laws, standards, regulations, policies and procedures as they apply to conducting inspections/investigations, identifying and evaluating unsafe health conditions and recommending methods to correct unsafe health conditions.

Problem Solving: Skill in identifying problems, determining accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Management Skills: Ability to lead, supervise, build alliances, inspire, motivate, and develop strategic work and operation plans.

Planning and Evaluating: Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short-or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.

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.

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
No

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

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.

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