This position is located in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Morgantown District. The position serves as a Special Investigator performing duties to promote and enforce mine safety and health compliance within the coal mining industry. This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Duties

For GS-1822-12: Conducts special investigations of accidents and fatality disasters after rescue and recovery operations are completed. Secures evidence and maintains a chain of custody, issuing citations or orders resulting from the disaster. Makes determinations regarding possible knowing, willful violations, and participates in civil or criminal proceedings, as necessary. As required, independently conducts a wide variety of on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of coal mines, preparation plants, and related facilities. Investigates discrimination complaints filed by miners, representatives of miners, or applicants for employment. Investigates possible knowing and or willful violations. Conducts other investigative activities as the needs of the district dictate. Develops unique investigative strategies. Collects evidence and facts according to all local, State, and Federal mandates, laws, rules, and/or regulations. Maintains control of evidence and confidential statements and other documented facts in accordance with MSHA guidelines, policies, procedures, and mandates. Secures evidence, facts, information, reports, and other documentation. Analyzes facts and evidence collected during an investigation to assure proper interpretation of said facts and evidence. Conducts interviews with possible witnesses. May also conduct interviews or collect information or evidence from businesses associated with coal mining, inspectors, supervisors, managers, engineers, technical support staff, and specialists. Coordinates investigative activities with adversarial legal counsel and or mine management, as needed. Ensures that the purpose of the investigation is fulfilled and all issues are adequately addressed. Conducts interviews with possible witnesses. May also conduct interviews or collect information or evidence from businesses associated with coal mining, inspectors, supervisors, managers, engineers, technical support staff, and specialists. Prepares written reports of inspections and investigations issuing citations and orders for violations found during the examination.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Subject to random drug tests.
• Incumbent must be able to successfully pass and maintain physical requirements.
• Requires a valid State driver's license.
• Subject to annual financial disclosure requirements.

Qualifications

The Mine Safety and Health Inspection Series, GS-1822, has basic requirements for positions covered by this standard. Applicants must meet both the basic requirements (IOR) and specialized experience for the specific grade level to qualify. Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower level: Performing mine safety and health inspection, analysis and evaluation of health/safety aspects of mining industry operations and processes; or evaluation, analysis or development of agency programs. Examples of creditable experience include: Direct on-site inspection; special accident investigation; development of mine safety and health standards; data analysis and evaluation of operational mine safety and health programs; special assessments; and development of industry-wide training or safety and health awareness programs. To qualify for this position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience and/or education requirements as defined below. If qualifying based on experience, be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume. For the GS-12 grade level: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include at least three of the following: Participating in special investigations with respect to accident and fatality disasters after rescue and recovery operations are completed, secure evidence, issuing violations, citations, or orders resulting from disaster; Independently conducts safety and health inspections; Issues citations and orders with intent of accident prevention and reduction; Writes comprehensive technical reports or other documentation pertaining to investigations; Participates in other investigative activities as the needs dictate. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Medical Requirements: Applicants and employees must be physically able to perform arduous duties efficiently and without hazard to themselves or others. Medical examination is required for all applicants for positions that involve regular or intermittent performance of inspection, investigation, rescue duties, or duties involving on-site visits. Medical conditions that constitute a hazard to safe and efficient job performance are disqualifying. The presence of medical disorders that would be aggravated by the environmental conditions of these positions and thereby hinder safe and efficient job performance are also disqualifying. Remediable defects and/or curable diseases will not permanently disqualify an applicant for appointment, but may result in the applicant's suspension from the appropriate list of eligible(s) pending submission of medical evidence or correction of the condition. Uncorrected distant vision must test at least 20/50 Snellen in one eye and 20/70 in the other, correctable with eyeglasses (contact lenses are not acceptable) to at least 20/30 Snellen in one eye and 20/50 in the other. Near vision must be sufficient to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters Normal depth perception and field of vision are required, as is the ability to distinguish basic colors. Applicants, with or without the use of a hearing aid, must have no hearing loss in either ear of more than 40 decibels in the 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz ranges.

Education

There is no education substitution in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.

Contacts

• Address Mine Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 US
• Name: Kizzie Stokes
• Phone: 972-850-4462
• Email: [email protected]