The Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the VA GEMS across the VAMC organizational elements.

Duties

Responsible for coordinating the efforts of the VA Medical Center staff involved in the GEMS to ensure that the GEMS is developed and implemented IAW VHA and VA Medical Center policy and guidance. Responsible for ensuring that the GEMS results in findings and conclusions that lead to continual improvement of environmental programs at the VA Medical Center. Responsible for applying environmental science and technology to demonstrate relationships between the operation of the VA Medical Center with human health, ecosystems, environmental media and natural resources. Provides leadership and direction to management, professional and technical personnel regarding the development and implementation of the facility GEMS. Plans, organizes, implements, oversees, and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems. Assignments include, domestic and industrial wastewater treatment and disposal; safe drinking water; treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and non hazardous solid waste; release of hazardous material/spill response; air pollution control; environmental media permitting; toxic substances; and regulatory oversight. Provides technical expertise for the design, modification, operation and maintenance of VA Medical Center facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Assist the Industrial Hygienist and Safety Specialist with safety program administration, including investigations of injuries, fires, vehicle damage and preparing reports of investigation for these occurrences. Works in conjunction with all safety program staff in completing annual and periodic reports tot he VISN and VA Central Office. Responsible for managing VAMC environmental program(s) and coordinating the efforts of VAMC organization that relate to environmental matters. Responsibilities include: develop and implement environmental policies, procedures and systems; advise management on how environmental policies, procedures, and systems will affect the operation of the VA Medical Center; evaluate, modify, and implement pollution prevention alternatives at the VA Medical Center to reduce the generation of waste; manage and/or provide technical advice regarding response to environmental emergencies including releases/spills of hazardous material; facilitate the exchange of environmental information to VA Medical Center staff, including the development and implementation of training and educational programs related to environmental programs; develop and present to upper level VA Medical Center management budgetary information related to environmental programs; manage computer programs and databases to enhance management of environmental programs; review how expansion, modifications, closures of existing facilities and infrastructure and new construction will affect environment, provide information that will minimize adverse impacts to human health and the environment and reduce the VA Medical Center's vulnerability; measure the effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommend additions to environmental program as needed to meet changing environmental requirements; develop promotional and educational activities to promote stakeholder awareness of VA Medical Center environmental issues. Serve as a technical expert and program management expert for the VAMC, with responsibility for providing leadership guidance, technical assistance and evaluation for matters involving environmental technology and compliance, including environmental management systems. Plans, conducts, or directs special studies concerned with environmental compliance problems which require the development or modification of chemical sampling equipment or spill response devices or the evaluation of control measures for a specific operation, such as response to hazmat or unknown chemical incidents. Prepares a technical report citing health and environmental hazards and setting forth recommended actions for their control or elimination. Interprets new or revised technical or management guidance material provided by VHA organizations, regulatory and advisory agencies. Reviews and comments on technical reports or studies that relate to or impact on the operation and maintenance of the VAMC. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc. 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. Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist (Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Coordinator)/PD012740 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, 02/26/2024. May qualify based on your experience and/or education for the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) as described below: A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related; 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 (ABIH). In addition to the IOR listed above, applicants must meet the specific grade level requirements. You may qualify based on your experience for the GS-12 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of industrial hygiene principles, procedures, standards, equipment, techniques, and methods; developing and implementing an industrial hygiene program; performing analysis to determine nature and degree of toxic materials; knowledge of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards (such as hazardous waste, drinking water, medical waste, etc.); conducting surveys/studies of work operations regarding hazardous conditions; and developing industrial hygiene policies, procedures, and reports. Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: 1) the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; 2) the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and 3) the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment. 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: Requires the employee to carry a good deal of equipment (in excess of 45 lbs) and involves walking, standing (for prolonged periods of time), bending, climbing or crawling during surveys. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level but there is an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR).

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. Your official or unofficial transcript must reflect: name of the college or university, full address of the college or university, your name, class title(s) with the number of credits earned/completed, the degree received, if applicable, and date degree conferred. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Sandra Barber
• Phone: 313-310-9915
• Email: [email protected]