This position serves as a Ventilation Specialist and authority on related issues and problems encountered in the mining industry. The incumbent is responsible for matters pertaining to specialty aspects of mining activities and conducts comprehensive safety and health investigations and inspections as required. This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Duties

Advises mine operators and other Federal and State Inspectors of new or unusual ventilation methods and/or other significant safety issues and technological developments. Evaluates and recommends approval or disapproval or requests for variance from ventilation standards. Serves as a MSHA spokesperson and authority on ventilation issues for the district. Promotes safety and health among mine operators and workers by directing and participating in safety and health training programs. Participates in investigations involving explosions, fires or other mine accidents which could have resulted from poorly ventilated practices that present the most serious, unusual, and hard-to-define problems to resolve. May serve as a ventilation expert on teams investigating ventilation-related accidents. Reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations concerning ventilation plans submitted periodically by mine operators for approval. Assists mine operators in the planning of modifications to improved and/or correct deficiencies in the operation. Conducts a wide variety of on site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities. Evaluates plans to determine whether the ventilation control systems, which the operator proposed will provide adequate ventilation in accordance with Federal regulations. Prepares mine maps detailing the layout of ventilations systems and directions of ventilation air currents. Testifies at judicial hearings regarding notices of violations and orders of withdrawal issues during inspections or investigations. Directs and participates in safety and health training programs, meetings, demonstrations, mine rescue competitions and/or related activities. Counsels and instructs mine operators and workers on appropriate safety and health procedures, practices, and techniques. Prepares written reports of inspections and investigations, issuing citations and orders for violations found during examinations. Prepares mine maps detailing the layout of ventilations systems and directions of ventilation air currents.

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 pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Requires medical exam and must maintain physical requirements.
• Requires a valid driver's license.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.

Qualifications

The Mine Safety and Health Inspection Series, GS-1822, has basic occupational requirements for positions covered by this standard. Applicants must meet both the basic requirements and specialized experience for the specific grade level to qualify. To qualify for this position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements as defined below. If qualifying based on experience, be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume. 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. Specialized Experience: 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: Independently conducts a wide variety of on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities. Independently investigates explosions, fires, or other mine accidents which could have resulted from poorly ventilated practices that present the most serious, unusual and hard to define problems to resolve. Serves as a ventilation expert on teams investigating accidents involving ventilation related accidents/hazards or issues. Experience with mining methods, such as design, installation, operations or maintenance of mining systems or equipment related to ventilation. Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. 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 eligibles 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 educational 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: Claire Geister
• Email: [email protected]