Safety and Occupational Health Specialist
What you'd do
As a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist you will be responsible for creating and implementing policies and activities pertaining to compliance with the regulations governing the possession, use, and/or transfer of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) that are regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) in 42CFR73 and 9CFR121 at the National Centers for Animal Health.
Major duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develops, evaluates, and implements comprehensive select agent compliance programs, incorporating various regulations, departmental policies, agency programs/policies and best management practices. Recommends policy, sets goals and objectives, and assesses overall program effectiveness for the Select Agent Office to ensure compliance with all components of the select agent regulations. Applies knowledge of biosafety and uses professional judgment in solving novel or obscure compliance issues occasionally requiring use of unconventional methods. Serves as a recognized expert in the field of select agent compliance. Evaluates, makes recommendations, and provides assistance for correcting any violation or unsafe condition. Briefs select agent program Responsible Officials, Alternate RO’s, PI’s, and workers on critical issues and devises strategies for implementation procedural changes as necessary. Develops and maintains liaison with federal, state, and local agencies on select agent matters and emergency situations as they relate to select agents and toxins. Implements inventory control and accountability procedures utilizing new equipment or methods to ensure continual improvement of security of select agent and toxin stock inventory. Immunizations with vaccines may be required to enter facilities conducting work with human diseases. The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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: 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. Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Performing laboratory work with BSL-2 or BSL-3 biological agents (e.g. E. coli, Salmonella species, herpesviruses, LCMV, mycobacteria, Brucella spp., avian influenza viruses). Reviewing safety regulations, policies, and standards to proactively identify safety program needs. Interpreting and implementing federal guidelines governing the possession and use of biological materials. Interacting with institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC) or institutional review boards (IRB) or institutional biosafety committees (IBS). OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in 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 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. 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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Before you apply
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