Safety and Occupational Health Specialist
What you'd do
This position is based at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago within the Research and Development Service. The Service supports the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Research and Development and advances efforts to improve the quality, delivery, and efficiency of care for veterans. The role serves as a critical safety resource for research activities at the medical center, ensuring compliance and supporting safe research operations.
Major duties
Conducts safety surveillance audits and inspections according to the required standards and regulations and depending on the degree of hazard. Obtains immediate corrective action of conditions, which are of imminent danger to life or limb. The incumbent Investigates hazardous conditions, equipment, practices, etc. to identify and analyze the nature and severity of hazards and possible remedial actions (i.e., elimination, correction, or protection). Ensures corrective actions are initiated and consults with facility and medical center subject matter specialists and managers about changes in work processes and proposed methods to eliminate unnecessary risks and control hazardous conditions. Investigates or assist investigators in investigating accidents/mishaps, obtains witness statements, photographs the accident scene, records circumstances and extent of injuries, estimates cost of property damages, and prepares a report of findings which includes recommendations to correct unsafe acts or conditions. Independently schedules surveys of the Research office and laboratory areas to identify and evaluate the potential for risk, The incumbent determines if existing conditions comply with accepted JCAHO and local standards, which safety policies and procedures apply and if the procedures and policies are adequate to cover all hazards. The incumbent certifies that specific safety practices are in place prior to beginning work. The incumbent processes report's on accidents identified within the Research Service, assuring compliance with medical center policy. Reviews the procedures for access to the facility to ensure access is restricted to authorized personnel. Advises higher-level management on the status of the safety and occupational health programs and recommends changes in the design of work programs to meet new safety and occupational health standards. Instructs employees on a variety of safety and occupational health topics to include chemical, biological, or physical safety, various laboratory safety needs, and ventilation requirements. Instructs and assists research investigators in preparing and submitting biohazard statements for their associated grant proposals. Identifies possible hazards, determines its use, any storage requirements, its bio-safety level, and necessary safety precautions to advise investigators in preparing grant proposals. The incumbent investigates procedures and policies for unknown/unfamiliar chemicals and hazards and reports findings to Research management for action. Approves final biohazard statements. Plans, develops, implements, and promotes safety campaigns, education materials, and training programs; selects appropriate medium (i.e. lecture, safety meetings, posters, video, brochures, training assembly, etc.) for all research personnel, both paid and unpaid employees. (Approximately 125-350 employees) that ranges from basic orientation in the general laboratory for new technicians, to more detailed, recurring instruction for the more experienced personnel. Documents employee's training progress to ensure regular attendance and compliance with JCAHO accrediting regulations. Works with research administrative staff and laboratory personnel in the establishment of realistic safety requirements and compliance with applicable directives and regulations. Works with processing plans for records and the record systems to handle, control, operate, store, check and retrieve data. Updates the required trainings as needed in Forms and Templates and tracks and approves training thru completion. Writes/prepares safety guides and instructions for risks encountered in Research laboratories and offices to keep employees informed and safe. As coordinator and Executive Secretary for the Sub-Committee on Research Safety, reviews issues prior to presenting them at the meeting. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed: May be available at management's decision. Telework: Telework may not be authorized. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to the in-person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist/PD211580 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2026. 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-9. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education or certification as described below: Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): To qualify as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist GS-11 you must meet one of the below qualification methods. IOR 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 IOR 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: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes. Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgements 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. OR IOR Certificates: Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience. AND GS-11 Grade Determination: Level of education and/or experience must be reflected in one of the below statements. Specialized Experience: Do you 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? To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet 3/5 of the following examples of specialized experience. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Computer technology for the storing of information pertaining to accident reports and material safety data sheets Knowledge of a physical, chemical or biological field sufficient to apply standard safe practices, procedures, and equipment guides to a medical facility work environment and to aid in promoting the adoption of safe working patterns Collaborates and understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues Apply procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance Present information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communications; demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of a specific audience; actively listens to others and demonstrates understanding of their comments and/or questions. OR Education: 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 Education & Specialized Experience: Specialized experience and education beyond 2 years of graduate education. 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/.
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