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Mine Safety and Health Inspector

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Staunton, Virginia
Closing date
Apr 10, 2021
Duties

Summary

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) works to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners.

MSHA carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improve and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.

This is INSIDE the Bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Conducts a variety of onsite safety and health inspections and investigations of mining operations, mills, preparation plants and related facilities. Prepares written reports of inspections and investigations, issuing citations and orders for violations found during examinations. Serves as the MSHA spokesperson and authority on mine safety and health. Gives advice and assistance relating to those mines, systems, and processes for which safety and health issues and solutions are undetermined, or where common practices have not been effective at pinpointing and resolving problems. Provides technical advice and guidance to mine operators to help them solve problems and comply with mine safety and health requirements. Assist mine operators in the planning of modifications to improve and/or correct deficiencies in the operation such as selecting and installing new equipment, and changing materials or methods. Promotes safety and health among mine operators and workers by directing and participating in safety and health training programs, meetings, demonstrations, mine rescue competitions, and related activities. Counsels and instructs mine operators and workers on appropriate safety and health procedures, practices, and techniques. Testifies at judicial hearings regarding notices of violations and orders of withdrawal.

Travel Required

76% or greater - Entry level inspectors will spend approximately 21 weeks at the National Mine Academy in Beckley, WV for training during their first 2 years of service. All Inspectors travel to mine sites on a regular basis. Frequent overnight travel may be required for most Inspectors.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level and supervisory approval.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
  • Requires medical exam and must maintain physical requirements.
  • Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • Requires a valid drivers license.
  • 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

Mine Safety and Health Inspector, GS-1822-09

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service, as defined below or Two (2) full academic years of graduate level education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study defined below.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for positions and grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Specialized experience in mining, mine engineering, or on-site mine safety and health inspection experience performing a full range of tasks and operating a variety of equipment in underground or surface mines, or mineral processing plants. This includes practical mining experience in planning, installing, operating, monitoring, or maintaining a system or equipment for extracting the ore from the earth.

Specialized experience should include extensive hands-on mining experience that provided the applicant with a comprehensive knowledge of mining methods, equipment, and occupational health and safety hazards. Specifically, applicants should have knowledge of the transportation of materials and workers, ventilation in closed spaces, ground control, roof control (for underground positions), handling and storage of hazardous materials, worksite safety practices, worksite environmental conditions that affect the health of workers, and /or accident prevention.

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: Two (2) full academic years of graduate or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study such as mining engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational health and safety, geology, chemistry, or other fields of study related to mine safety and health work.

Mine Safety and Health Inspector, GS-1822-11

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service, as defined below.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for positions and grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Specialized experience is 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 creditable experience include: direct on-site inspection; special accident investigation; development of mine safety and health standards; data analysis and evaluation of operational mine safety and health programs; special assessments; and development of industry-wide training or safety and health awareness programs.

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level.

Writing Sample: Applicants will be required to complete a Writing Sample during. the interview process

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

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 (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 .

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:

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). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the HRO 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.)

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

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".

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 for Grade Levels GS-09 and GS-11:

Interpersonal Skills : Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Oral Communication : Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Technical Competence - (Mine Safety and Health) : Mine safety and health principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations, and standards as they apply to conducting inspections/investigations, identifying and evaluating unsafe conditions, giving citations and recommending methods to correct unsafe conditions.

Written Communication : Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the key competencies listed above in addition to the following for Grade Level GS-11:

Problem Solving/Decision Making: Ability to use judgment and understanding of the objectives of broad safety and health laws and policies to adapt regulations that are not fully applicable and to determine procedures for handling situations not addressed in the guidelines. Advises specialists and inspectors about problems for which there are no clear precedents or procedures.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , 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. -

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 ICTAP eligibility.

- 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.

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