Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Full Job Description

This position serves as the Safety & Occupational Health Specialist for the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN 20) an integrated healthcare system comprised of eight healthcare institutions and may be located in any of the following locations: Boise, ID Portland, OR Vancouver, WA White City, OR The Specialist assists with program planning, development, and execution of the Network Environmental, Safety, Occupational Health, and Fire Protection Program Manager (ESOH) programs.

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-12 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

This includes experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Managing safety or occupational health program elements.

Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management.

Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements.

Developing safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards.

Developing or implementing programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses.

Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.

Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate hazards.

Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards.

Training of workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects.

Working in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse.

(THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) Physical and working conditions: The work requires moderate physical activity, including walking, climbing stairs and vertical ladders, and long periods of standing when conducting onsite evaluations.

Onsite visits require regular and recurrent exposure to operating machinery, equipment, high-noise areas, hazardous materials, dust, and fumes, which may require personal protective equipment to control or reduce the risk.

The work requires significant travel utilizing vehicles and air transportation that may involve long hours of travel, often beyond the normal work shift.

Travel is often required on weekends to meet complex work and meeting schedules.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** LOCATION INFORMATION: This announcement is for 1 vacancy to be filled at any one of the locations listed above.

Applicants must reside within 50 miles of a VISN20 VA facility at the time of appointment or be willing to relocate at their own expense prior to entrance on duty.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

See locations for specific cities and states that are within the VISN20 Catchment Area Major duties and responsibilities include: Reporting directly to the VISN Safety Manager and assisting with program planning, development, and execution of the Network Environmental, Safety, Occupational Health, and Fire Protection Program Manager (ESOH) programs.

Tracking and directing facilities to comply with all safety, industrial hygiene, inspection initiatives, and fire safety measuring/monitoring identified in the Network Director performance standards.

Providing a professional interpretation of applicable regulations and guidelines and assuring that specific policies are consistent with federal, state, and local regulations and procedures that may affect VA-related activities.

Evaluating or investigating employee safety related complaints that cannot be resolved at the local level.

Making a final determination by studying the problem and assessing the degree of compliance with applicable regulations and standards, and when necessary, developing changes and modifications to work processes, equipment operation, and /or protective devices to minimize injuries to patients, visitors, and employees and damage to VA property.

Evaluating requests for equivalencies submitted within the VISN to assure that the actual intent of the standard being varied from is met and that the request meets agency requirements and is in agreement with applicable organizations such as TJC, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and others.

Conducting the Annual Workplace Evaluations (AWE) annually or as required at each VA facility within the VISN, which includes VHA hospitals, community-based clinics, VA Domiciliary, National Cemeteries, Vet Centers, Outreach Centers, and VBA Regional Offices and other VA/VHA leased spaces.

Serving as the technical advisor for ESOH-related programs but not limited to VISN and Facility Leadership, the VA Area Emergency Manager, the VISN Environment of Care Leadership Committee, the VISN Partnership Council, the VISN Quality Managers, VISN Infection Control staff, Workers Compensation staff, Occupational Health staff, Research staff, staff and other key positions.

Representing VISN 20 Facilities or the Network in conferences as necessary, including local, state, and federal agencies and private concerns that may impact health care safety or the safety of any other VA-related activity.

Attending/facilitating all required environmental training and establishing effective operational controls for hazardous material operations and activities. Performing other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for telework.

Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.