Industrial Hygienist

Full Job Description

These positions are with the U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

These positions are in the Austin Area Office, El Paso Area Office and San Antonio Area Office. The full performance level of these positions are at the GS-12 grade level.

Positions are in the bargaining unit. A writing sample may be included as a part of the interview process. Selectee will be expected to report to the office.

THIS POSITION HAS A BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT. ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.

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 Board for Global EHS Credentialing (formerly American Board of Industrial Hygiene(external link) (ABIH)).

Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable.

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.

You must meet the "Individual Occupational Requirements" listed above and the "Specialized Experience" to qualify for Industrial Hygienist, as described below.

At the GS-07 level: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, applicants must have at least 52 weeks specialized experience at the next lower level in the normal career progression of the position being filled.

When compared to Federal experience, this experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-05. This experience may have been gained either in the Federal or private sectors.

Resumes should reflect the majority but is not limited to the following specialized experience listed below: Assisting in the planning of or conducting basic occupational safety or occupational health inspections of workplaces Identifying occupational health and safety hazards; evaluating occupational safety or occupational health programs and making recommendations for improvement when deficiencies are noted Applying occupational safety and/or occupational health standards and criteria to unsafe working conditions.

OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education or Superior Academic Achievement in a bachelor's degree program.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A qualifying combination of education and competencies as described below.

At the GS-09 level: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, applicants must have at least 52 weeks specialized experience at the next lower level in the normal career progression of the position being filled.

When compared to Federal experience, this experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-07. This experience may have been gained either in the Federal or Private sectors.

Resumes should reflect the majority but is not limited to the following specialized experience listed below: Assisting in the planning of or conducting of occupational safety or occupational health inspections Conducting research and studies records or files regarding Occupational safety or occupational health mishaps/accidents Identifying occupational health and safety hazard Assisting in or knowledge of calculating penalties to be assessed based on the gravity of occupational safety and/or occupational health violations OR Education: completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as experience with assisting in identifying and evaluating health hazards; surveys, assessing, understanding, and investigating health problems, determining the probable cause, and recommending solutions.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience as described below.

At the GS-11 level: In addition to meeting the individual occupational requirement, Applicants must have at least 52 weeks experience at the next lower level in the normal career progression of the position being filled.

When compared to Federal experience, this experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS-09. This experience may have been gained either in the Federal or Private sectors.

Resumes should reflect the majority but is not limited to the following specialized experience listed below: Assisting in the planning and conducting of evaluations of workplace operations involving potentially hazardous environmental conditions Conducting formal interviews to identify unhealthful working conditions or causes of injuries/illnesses/fatalities Developing occupational safety or occupational health investigation or inspection reports Calculating penalties to be assessed based on the (a) gravity of occupational safety or occupational health violations and (b) the severity of possible injury or illness and the probability that such could occur OR Education: Completed a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Major Duties:

Major Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: GS-07: Develops contacts with higher-graded specialists, industrial hygienists, and safety engineers in the immediate office or assigned inspection/compliance review assignment as well as line supervisors, employees, and employee representatives met during assigned inspections or compliance reviews.

Communicates the nature and type of hazards and unsafe working conditions encountered, and to coordinate the carrying out of measures to correct any adverse occurrence, unguarded machine operations, and fire hazards.

Motivates and encourages personnel who are usually willing and cooperative to adopt safe working practices and to remedy hazardous conditions.

Resolves assignments that consist of specific, often unrelated duties which provide an orientation to occupational work and the different types of safety hazards and unsafe working conditions and the techniques, measures, and procedures used to eliminate or control them.

Makes recommendations concerning the appropriate course of action to be followed by determining the merits of the case and by evaluating testimony and the applicability of OSHA policies and court decisions.

GS-09: Assists in planning and conducting portions or limited inspections or compliance reviews (or independently conducts inspections of business establishments and worksites whose operations are generally characterized by the presence of moderately stable, low-risk processes or some higher hazards or unsafe working conditions or technically difficult operations which are covered by specific written guidelines) in establishments and worksites.

Deposes, makes affidavits and testifies in a court of law where an opposing attorney may challenge the competence of the IH including his/her work methods or findings.

Conducts research assignments using internet technology to prepare for on-site inspections or in response to requests for information.

Interprets the application of specific guidelines for particular phases of an inspection, exercising sound judgment in the application of industrial hygiene criteria to potential hazards or unsafe working conditions.

GS-11: Plans and conducts portions or limited inspections or compliance reviews (or independently conducts inspections of business establishments and worksites whose operations are generally characterized by the presence of moderately stable, low-risk processes or some higher hazards or unsafe working conditions or technically difficult operations which are covered by specific written guidelines) in establishments and worksites.

Gains compliance with published standards by exchanging information, communicating findings and advice, and coordinating work efforts.

Contacts often involve dealing with uncooperative persons and include serious technical disagreements and difficult labor-management relations.

Conducts research assignments using internet technology to prepare for on-site inspections or in response to requests for information.

Selects and applies appropriate regulatory provisions to determine whether establishments are complying with prevailing safety and occupational health standards.

Conducts specific (targeted) outreach activities and provides information on OSHA legislation, regulations, and compliance activities to a variety of different audiences.

Communicates orally and in writing, in order to communicate basic occupational safety and health information and guidance, participate in some outreach activities, and provide technically accurate information generated by requests for information.

As the employee progresses, the assignments will become more difficult and complex with less supervision.