The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Phoenix VA Health Care System in the Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) section is recruiting a Industrial Hygienist. In this position, you will serve to apply, recognize, evaluate, and control those environmental conditions or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness, impaired health, significant discomfort, or inefficiency to medical center staff, patients, and visitors.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Employs a wide variety of sampling instrumentation and techniques and has an appreciation of the types and limitations of analytical methods used in interpreting sample results, the Industrial Hygienist determines the degree of hazard to which workers are exposed after ascertaining the intensity and duration of exposure. Plans and implements comprehensive industrial hygiene programs at all Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS) facilities. Conducts surveys of working conditions to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures using complex scientific methodology and the effectiveness of existing control measures. Devises or works with engineers to develop control measures, such as changes in work procedures, systems, materials, or the use of personal protective equipment. Serves as the primary advisor to the Chief of QSI regarding Safety and Occupational Health activities including exposure limits, and regulatory standards concerning chemical and hazardous substances. Prepares reviews and updates industrial hygiene investigations and corrective action reports for submission to regulatory agencies using established protocols. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD141320 Physical Requirements: Inspection work requires frequent visitations to areas that are cramped, noisy, or where temperature extremes or inclement weather conditions exist. Such inspection work may require considerable long periods of standing, climbing, crouching, stretching, reaching, lifting, and other physical movement while carrying sampling equipment and measuring devices. Incumbent will occasionally be required to lift and move heavy or awkward objects, usually not exceeding 50 pounds. Personal protective equipment must often be worn. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/12/2023. Basic Educational Requirement: The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) 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; (A Transcript is required to be part of your application) 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; (A Transcript is required to be part of your application) OR, Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) (You are required submit a copy of this certification as part of your application). Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable. GS-11 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: assess work practices and/or environmental conditions for hazards to the health and safety of workers; Perform analysis to determine nature and degree of toxic materials present; Perform, verify, review chemical inventories throughout the facility; Identify and requisition test equipment used in performing industrial hygiene tasks; Perform or arranges for proper calibration and maintenance of equipment; Conduct programs for the education of workers in the prevention of occupational exposures and diseases. OR, Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in addition to the Basic Education Requirement above. (A Transcript is required to be part of your application) OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education.(To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.) 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. 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. 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/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Contacts

• Address Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 US
• Name: Sofia Zadorian
• Email: [email protected]