Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Enforcement, Health Division. The purpose of this position is to provide regulatory staff assistance in mine health-related matters. The position places special emphasis on development and evaluation of Mine Worker's Pneumoconiosis, Respirable Dust Programs, and other contaminants of exposure concerning the MSHA's Mission.

- This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Develops seminars to promote new regulations and programs for improving ventilation systems and Respirable Dust control techniques aimed at eliminating pneumoconiosis. 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 and other environmental exposures detrimental to miners' health.

Develops new policies and procedures regarding implementation and interpretation of mandatory Coal's Part 90 Program, Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP), Miners Pneumoconiosis, and all Respirable Dust standards as well as applicable enforcement guidelines/standards pertaining to other contaminants of miner health exposure. 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.

Travel Required

25% or less - Travel up to 25%.

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

• Subject to drug test prior to appointment
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

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.

Qualifications

GS-13: Applicants for the GS-13 grade level 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 include, but are not limited to: Planning the development and/ or managing the implementation of training classes and seminars for field personnel on regulations, policies, enforcement procedures, and accident analyses and prevention regarding respirable dust control, total dust control, Coal's Part 90 Program, CWP, and other contaminates in which miners are exposed.

GS-14: Applicants for the GS-14 grade level must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14 in the Federal service. Experience performing mine safety and health inspection, analysis and evaluation of health/safety aspects of mining industry operations and processes; or evaluation, analysis or development of agency programs.

Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: providing advice and guidance on a full range of coordination efforts regarding regulations, policies, enforcement procedures, accident analyses and prevention regarding mine worker exposures with emphasis on pneumoconiosis, ventilation systems aspects of respirable dust control techniques.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.

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

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

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.

Oral and Written Communications: Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with technical and non-technical personnel in a variety of occupations and to prepare detailed technical documentation.

Mine Safety and Health: Knowledge of Federal mine safety and health laws, standards, regulations, policies and procedures. Knowledge of inspection and accident investigation procedures. Knowledge of the various types of mining equipment.

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 may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references, and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

Click here for Evaluation details.

INFORMATION FOR CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under CTAP or ICTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. 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. 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.

The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.

*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step, and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.

- Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your computer and USAJOBS profile. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list the month, year, and the number of work hours worked for the experience listed on your resume. We also suggest that you preview the vacancy questions, and confirm that your resume supports your question responses.

- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.

The following documents are required if applicable:

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) , and showing the character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)

Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents

- Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements): Military Spouses (MISP)

- Land Management Eligible(s): a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act . This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time-limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here .

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted.

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

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.