Duties

Summary

Position is with U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Washington, DC.

• This position is inside the bargaining unit.
• Additional selection(s) may be made from this vacancy.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

GS-11:

• Reviews scientific literature related to health hazards in the workplace. Compiles data, performs quantitative analysis of health and exposure data, analyzes comments from affected groups and assists in preparing all necessary documents, including decision papers, work plans, analyses, standards package and related documents. Prepares draft sections of preamble for proposed and final standards, draft and final guidance products, and other documents.
• Prepares replies to correspondence and other technical inquiries received from the public or referred by the supervisor. Assists in the preparation and review of directives and memoranda to provide field personnel information on health standards development and in providing technical information for the drafting of interpretations. Reviews interim reports and completed studies to assure satisfactory fulfillment and compliance with accepted occupational health principles and practices. Prepares seminars and speeches on OSHA rulemaking/guidance activities at meetings of groups and organizations affected by or interested in such activities. Proficient in technical writing of governmental regulations and guidance. Proficient in technical and scientific writing and in the presentation of data to support complex analyses.
• Collects, compiles, studies, and analyzes developments in industry, standards developed by other organizations, safety and health reports, scientific and technical periodicals, and other sources of background information to determine pertinent factors which make up work processes and health hazards created by such factors. With other occupational health specialists or industrial hygienists, visits industrial facilities to analyze work processes and health hazards evidenced.
• Reviews public comment and hearing records with respect to draft standards or guidance products in order to prepare scientifically and legally supportable regulations and modifies standards as necessary. Works with outside contractors conducting studies to develop additional technical materials or satisfy regulatory requirements for environmental and economic impact analyses. Knowledge pertinent to OSHA rulemakings to ensure rulemaking recommendations fall within legal constraints, or to ascertain when legal consultation is necessary.

GS-12:

• Reviews scientific literature related to health hazards in the workplace, compiles data, performs quantitative analysis of health and exposure data, analyzes comments from affected groups and assists in preparing all necessary documents, including decision papers, work plans, analyses, standards package and related documents. Prepares draft sections of the preamble for proposed and final standards, draft and final guidance products, and other documents.
• Prepares replies to correspondence and other technical inquiries received from the public or referred by the supervisor. Assists in the preparation and review of directives and memoranda to provide field personnel information on health standards development and in providing technical information for the drafting of interpretations. Prepares seminars and speeches on OSHA rulemaking/guidance activities at meetings of groups and organizations affected by or interested in such activities. Skill in technical writing of governmental regulations and guidance. Skill in technical and scientific writing and in the presentation of data to support complex analyses.
• Collects, compiles, studies, and analyzes developments in industry, standards developed by other organizations, safety and health reports, scientific and technical periodicals, and other sources of background information to determine pertinent factors which make up work processes and health hazards created by such factors. With other occupational health specialists or industrial hygienists, visits industrial facilities to analyze work processes and health hazards evidenced.
• Modifies standards as necessary. Monitors outside contractors conducting studies to develop additional technical materials or satisfy regulatory requirements for environmental and economic impact analyses. Reviews interim reports and completed studies to assure satisfactory fulfillment and compliance with accepted occupational health principles and practices. Monitors the quality, timeliness, and all other work aspects of scientific and technical assignments performed by contract workers. Knowledge of information sources and presentation methods to effectively gather data in a timely manner under the constraints of a regulatory schedule; and prepare or develop technical bulletins, instructions etc.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional Travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions. Future promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and supervisory approval.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship. Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Appointment to this position will require a background investigation.

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

All applicants may be required to provide a writing sample at the interview. - Please submit a writing sample that would demonstrate your analytical writing skills. It should be no longer than 3-4 pages written by you personally. For example, position paper, decision memo, white paper, options paper, etc."

Qualifications

THIS POSITION HAS A INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT. ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.

Basic Requirements:

The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science; or
• A bachelor's degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene; or
• Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (external link) (ABIH).

Evaluation of Education : All science or engineering courses offered in fulfillment of the above requirements must be acceptable for credit toward the completion of a standard 4-year professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in science or engineering at an accredited college or university.

Evaluation of Experience:

Qualifying experience involves the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls.

Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

For the GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, GS-09. Specialized experience is defined as anticipating and recognizing potential hazards in the workplace created by exposure to physical, chemical, or biological agents, or environmental factors; planning and conducting evaluations of workplace operations to assess potential hazards; identifying appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment to address hazards; and evaluating the effectiveness of control measures. Such experience will generally involve writing technical reports describing potential hazards, the process followed to evaluate those potential hazards, and recommendations for control measures.

OR

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: applicants who do not have the specialized experience described above may qualify at the GS-11 level if they possess a Ph.D degree or three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or equivalent doctoral degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, public health, or safety and health related field.

For the GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, GS-11. Specialized experience is defined as planning and conducting evaluations of workplace operations involving occupational health and safety hazards, evaluating the effectiveness of engineering and administrative control measures, developing sampling strategies for employee exposure monitoring, analyze findings and writing technical reports and presenting the results, including descriptions of the sources of exposure and recommending exposure control measures.

*Education is not a substitution for experience at the GS-12 level*

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.

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:

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

Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.

Organizational Awareness: Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the organization.

Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Interpersonal Skills - Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

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.)

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
Other

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.

- Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - submit if using education as a basis for qualifying for this position. If so, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, PHD, etc). If specific course work is required to qualify, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.

- Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your 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.

- 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.

- Writing Sample: Please submit a writing sample that would demonstrate your analytical writing skills. It should be no longer than 3-4 pages written by you personally. For example, position paper, decision memo, white paper, options paper, etc."

- 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.

Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - If you are using education as a basis for qualifying for this position, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, Ph.D., etc.). If specific coursework is required to qualify, you must supply an unofficial transcript from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.

You may upload your unofficial transcript(s) as one document (3 MB size limit). If over 3 MB, please submit via fax feature.

NOTE: The OFFICIAL Transcript(s) MUST BE RECEIVED, if you are selected, and prior to receiving the firm offer with a start date.

Reference the "Education Section" for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.

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.