The incumbent serves as an Industrial Hygienist in the Occupational Medicine office and performs various duties to access work practices and environmental conditions for hazards to the health and safety of workers. The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within the VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/13/2025. BASIC INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL 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 (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. For engineering degrees to be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) as a professional engineering curriculum. 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 wellbeing of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-07 Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Industrial Hygienist position, and that is typically in or related to the duties of this position. To be credible, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Knowledge of industrial concepts, principles, and practices applicable to the performance of portions of industrial hygiene inspections of a variety of private industrial concerns to include use and calibrating of sampling equipment. Comprehensive knowledge of safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures and standards applicable to the performance of the safety and occupational health responsibilities at a VA Medical Center. Experience in evaluating occupational health hazards in industrial operations. OR Substitution of Education for Experience: One year of Graduate level education or superior academic achievement in Industrial Hygiene or related field. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university, may be substituted to qualify for this grade of the Industrial Hygienist position. OR Combination Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the Industrial Hygienist position, which may be substituted to meet the experience requirements of the position. GS-09 Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Industrial Hygienist position, and that is typically in or related to the duties of this position. To be credible, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Professional knowledge of industrial hygiene concepts, principles, and practices applicable to the performance of relatively routine industrial investigations, or to portions of large and complex investigations. Knowledge required to identify and evaluate occupational health hazards in industrial operations. Knowledge required to recommend control measures or possible approaches to the control of harmful exposure. OR Substitution of Education for Experience: Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree . OR Combination Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the Industrial Hygienist position, which may be substituted to meet the experience requirements of the position.
Technical Careers Fields (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This position will begin as GS-7, leading to the potential max of GS-11. This is a developmental position performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Major duties include but are not limited to: Performs various duties to access work practices and environmental conditions for hazards to the health and safety of workers. Conducting studies, analyzing findings, and preparing various reports. Conducts surveys to identify and evaluate health hazards and potential health hazards. Surveys involve determining compliance with established occupational exposure levels, evaluating exposures, and advising on control measures and changes in work procedures or schedules to comply with the established health requirements and to provide information for evaluation purposes. Performs analysis using standard methods to determine nature and degree of toxic material present in a variety of materials, such as environmental samples, body fluids, and industrial products. Determines measurements to be made and methods to be used, calibrates and adapts various kinds of equipment, such as standard spectrophotometers, pH meters, and gas chromatographic apparatus. Consults with and advises occupational health personnel on matters of epidemiology relative to health hazards in the work area. Regularly inspects the medical center to identify potential occupational health hazards and the need for further investigative studies and surveys. Studies and surveys performed involve determining compliance with various established criteria, evaluating exposures, and advising on control measures and changes in work procedures or schedules to comply with established health requirements, and providing information for evaluation purposes. Performs analysis to determine nature and degree of toxic materials present. Interprets results of studies for the work environment in terms of possible impairment to health, nature of health impairment, potential for medical center damages, etc., and presents specific conclusions and recommendations to appropriate management and health officials. Determines the need for, and effectiveness of, control measures and changes in work procedures. Recommends procedures that will be suitable and effective for the environment. Receives and disposes of hazardous wastes and maintains appropriate records in accordance with existing EPA standards, state law and VA regulations. Prepares comprehensive and legally sufficient written reports of all monitoring activities performed which are subsequently incorporated into comprehensive reports prepared to assess the overall effectiveness of the industrial hygiene program. Ensures proper documentation of employee exposures in medical records. Work Schedule: Full time Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist - Technical Career Field (TCF)/PD00985A and PD00986A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized