The employee of this position will function as the Healthcare System Safety and Occupational Health Specialist. This includes Safety and Fire Protection Programs at Miami VA Healthcare System including a 240 bed hospital, 200 bed Nursing Home Care Unit, five story Research and Education Building, incinerator, various trailers and temporary utility buildings. The employee also ensures these functions are performed at various outpatient clinics, CBOC's and Vet Center, Community Nursing Homes.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/23/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology. Or, Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. Assists, directs and implements a comprehensive Occupational Safety, Health, Fire Protection, and Industrial Hygiene Training Program for Healthcare System employees. Prepares written reports of investigations into safety & occupational health problems identified on station and present recommendations for the solution of these problems. Conducts background reviews of service operations and characteristics of work processes to insure compliance with VA regulations and applicable Occupational Safety & Health Standards and recommends corrective measures to eliminate or reduce occupational health hazards. Directs and conducts fire safety & general safety inspections at a number of outside facilities, such as contract nursing homes, CBOCs, etc. and reports findings to appropriate management personnel. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Compliance Financial Management Fire Management Reading Comprehension Safety Engineering Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Employee must perform many duties while walking, running, jumping, stopping, bending, crawling, and climbing. Moreover, prolonged sitting is required to research source material, write report, and perform many administrative duties. Employee observes all safety precautions and wears protective clothing as required; 2) The work requires surveys/inspections necessitating prolonged standing, walking and other physical movement; 3) Employee must be able to adapt to the pressures of unexpected workload demands. 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/.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts or participates in safety and occupational health briefings with managers and employee representatives explaining purpose and scope of inspection and pertinent safety and occupational health regulations. Prepares final report or assigned portion of report, showing apparent violations, and recommends corrective actions with goals and deadlines for completion. Oversees, maintains, and updates the Center-wide Material Safety Data Sheet System. Assists Safety Officer with confidential and other investigations of employee reports of unsafe and/or unhealthful working conditions. Drafts necessary reports and records required by VA, State, or other Federal regulatory agencies. Conducts safety related training including, but not limited to Hazard Communication Standard, fire safety, respiratory fit-testing, and occupational safety for employees and supervisors. Conducts follow-up surveys of clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, engineering shops, and other areas to appraise implemented safety and health measures. Performs weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual inspections as required to determine compliance with safety and health regulations. Conducts and documents mandated Fire Drills and Disaster Drills. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Safety & Occupational Health Specialist/PD99389S and PD99389S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required ***3-5 years experience in Fire Safety, Construction Safety and NFPA knowledge preferred.***