The position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of Safety and Code Compliance (SCC), Safety Division. We are seeking a Safety Engineer with advanced knowledge in safety engineering and a demonstrated ability to integrate risk-based decision-making across complex construction, renovation, and operational environmental within a historic and high-profile Capitol Campus. If you are passionate about safety culture, we invite you to apply and make a lasting impact at the AOC.
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-12) grade level in the Federal service or private sector. Specialized experience for this position includes: (1) Serving as a safety engineering point of contact for all safety engineering related issues for a large design and construction office; (2) Interpreting and applying occupational safety and health standards (Electrical safety (NFPA 70/70-E), control of hazardous energy, confined space, machine guarding, welding, cutting, and brazing, incident investigation, radio frequency) regulations, practices and policies; (3) Directing an organization's Safety and Health Engineering programs and related projects; and (4) Representing an organization on matters related to safety compliance before federal, state, and industry authorities.
To succeed in this role, candidates must possess expertise in applying Health and Safety Management Systems aligned with ISO 45001, ANSI Z10 and/or OSHA Safety and Health Program Management frameworks, with a strong command of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology. Mastery of root cause analysis (RCA), Prevention through Design (PtD)and other systems safety tools is essential to support incident investigations and driving preventive and corrective actions. A strong candidate will also possess a deep knowledge of the applicable requirements for permit required confined spaces (PRCS), fall protection, electrical safety (NFPA 70E), hazardous energy control (LOTO), arc flash risk, and grounding systems, particularly in aging or mission-critical infrastructure. Applicants should demonstrate experience reviewing building plans and construction activities to ensure safety compliance, particularly in settings where preserving historic architecture intersects with modern safety demands. The skills and experience must be reflected in your work history. Tour of duty for this position is: Monday - Friday (8:00 am - 4:30 pm) Hours may change due to Operational Needs of Management. Major Duties Safety Engineering, Systems Integration, and Risk Management (33%) Reviews and approves building plans, blueprints, specifications, and other technical data for construction, renovation, and maintenance projects, including those involving historically significant buildings. Ensures compliance with safety regulations and standards, while preserving the historic and architectural integrity of the facilities. Addresses the unique security requirements of the Capitol campus throughout all phases of the project, from design to completion. Acts as a technical expert in safety engineering, advising on the limitations and applications of safety concepts for the Capitol Complex. Resolves critical safety issues using advanced engineering approaches. Health and Safety Management Systems (HSMS) and Policy Leadership Assists and advances the AOC Safety and Health Management System (S&HMS), ensuring alignment with recognized standards such as ISO 45001, ANSI Z10, and OSHA Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Applies the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodology to continuously improve the system, focusing on refining processes, integrating feedback, and making data-driven adjustments to enhance safety performance and compliance. Develops policies, procedures, and technical guidance documents, ensuring alignment with safety engineering principles, human factors considerations, and S&HMS frameworks, while utilizing PDCA to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of these documents. Collaborates with SCC leadership to promote a risk-based, data-driven decision-making approach to safety, integrating PDCA as part of the decision-making process to drive improvements in organizational planning, design, and operational safety processes. Contractor Oversight Develops specifications and scopes-of-work for contractors. Monitors contractor performance and deliverables. Examines contractor submissions and ensures compliance with health and safety standards. Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) on assigned projects. Hazard Information Training and Dissemination Designs and delivers safety leadership development initiatives and AOC’s workforce training on systems safety, human factors, and hazard recognition, empowering employees to actively contribute to safety improvement efforts. Systems Thinking, Human Factors, and Workplace Safety Culture Conducts safety surveys and investigations, including occupational safety and health complaints related to construction and operational activities. Investigates accidents, determines root causes, and develops corrective actions to prevent recurrence, ensuring findings are shared across relevant jurisdictions and safety stakeholders. Works with Agency’s Leaders and Jurisdiction Safety Specialists (JSSs), to implement control and remedial measures for hazardous conditions and equipment, by applying systems thinking principles to understand and optimize the complex interactions among people, processes, technology, and the built environment, identifying systemic risks and interdependencies