The Industrial Hygienist performs a variety of functions related to the identification, evaluation, and control of occupational health hazards and to the promotion of healthful and safe working conditions. Work includes surveys; coordination with other health and safety specialists; administration of industrial hygiene programs; review of design plans for hazard control; investigation of causative agents for occupational illness; and the provision of education and training programs.

Duties

St. Louis VA Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Coordinates the Industrial Hygiene Program which includes but is not limited to the following programs: Asbestos Control, Ethylene Oxide, Hearing Conservation, Hazard Communications Standard, Nitrous Oxide, Mercury, Hazardous and Infectious Waste Management, PCB's, Legionnaires Disease and Water Treatment, Anti-Neoplastic Drugs, Ergonomics, environmental issues and other program elements related to industrial hygiene. Examines work environments; studies work operations and processes to get full details of the nature of the work, materials and equipment used, products and byproducts, number and sexual gender of employees and hours of work. Measures the magnitude of exposure to patients, workers and the public of environmental factors, etc. In doing so, she/he must: (1) Select or devise methods and instruments; (2) Personally or through others, conduct such measurements; and (3) Study and test material associated with the work· operation. Studies and tests material by chemical and physical means, when such examination will aid in determining the extent of exposure. Interprets results of the examination of the work environment in terms of ability to impair health, nature of health impairment, works' efficiency and medical center nuisance and/or damage, and presents specific conclusions to appropriate Interested parties such as management and health officials. Determines the need for, or effectiveness of, control measures, and when necessary, recommends procedures which will be suitable and effective for the environment. Prepares rules, regulations. standards and procedures for the healthful conduct of work in the medical center. Presents expert testimony before courts of law, hearing boards, workmen's compensation commissions, regulatory agencies and legally appointed investigative bodies covering all matters pertaining to industrial hygiene. Prepares appropriate text for labels and precautionary information for materials and products to be used by workers and the public. Conducts program for the education of workers in the prevention of occupational disease at the medical center. Directs epidemiologic studies among workers to discover possibilities of the presence of occupational disease, and establish or improve threshold limit values and standards as guidelines for the maintenance of health and efficiency. Conducts research to advance knowledge of the effects of occupation upon health and means of preventing occupational health impairment (I.e., chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic) and related problems. Provides consultant and technical assistance on industrial hygiene program matters for the professional, scientific and administrative services. Investigates employee reports of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. Performs on-site inspections of new construction to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards. Provides final technical reviews of plans and specifications for construction maintenance and repair, replacement or modification projects to assure compliance with all codes and standards. Prepares statistical and investigative reports as required. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level(GS-11) without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 AM -3:30 PM / 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD00987A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, . You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Requirements 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; 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; or Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene(external link) (ABIH). Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable. GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls. Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment. Note: 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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered as satisfying the one (1) year of full-time study requirement). Note: If you select this option, a copy of your transcripts is required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience, as described above, which meets the total qualification requirement for the GS-09 grade level. Note: If you select this option, a copy of your transcripts is required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Your resume must indicate clearly the nature of your duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Education

Qualifications Continued:

• GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls. Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment.

Note: Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held on your resume. You must provide work experience information such as hours per week, salary, and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish you have one (1) full year of specialized experience at or comparable to the required grade level.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:


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.

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.

Physical Requirements: The performance of duties requires long periods of walking, standing, crawling, kneeling and bending. Moderate lifting and carrying of equipment, etc., are required. Use of all appendages, good vision and hearing are necessary. Emotional and mental stability are required.

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/.

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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA St Louis Health Care System 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive St. Louis, MO 63125 US
• Name: Sonya Harris
• Phone: 816-701-3231
• Email: [email protected]