This position is located within Mine Safety and Health Administration, Enforcement Division, Norton District in Oakwood, VA. 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

The responsibilities described are for the full performance level. As developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity. As an Authorized Representative (AR) of the U.S. Secretary of Labor, the incumbent performs the following duties to enforce the mine safety and health laws and promote safety and health in the mining industry. 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. The incumbent mays serve as a ventilation expert on teams investigating ventilation-related accidents. Reviews ventilation plans submitted periodically by mine operators. Evaluates the plans to determine whether the ventilation control systems, which the operator proposed will provide adequate ventilation in accordance with Federal regulations. After receiving plans, may personally conduct on-site investigations of the mine to determine whether conditions at the mine are the same as portrayed in the plan, acquire information that may not be clear from the plan, or discuss technical problems causing the plan not to be acceptable. Prepares mine maps detailing the layout of ventilation systems and directions of ventilation air currents. Assists in the development of new or modified ventilation regulations, standards, and inspection procedures. Advises mine operators and other Federal and State inspectors of new or unusual ventilation methods or other significant safety issues and technological developments. Evaluates and recommends approval or disapproval of requests for variance from ventilation standards. Serves as a MSHA spokesperson and authority on miner ventilation issues for the District. Gives advice and assistance relating to those mines, systems, and processes with health and/or safety issues that are undetermined, or where common practices have not been effective and pinpointing and resolving problems. Assists mine operators in the planning of modifications to improve and/or correct deficiencies in the operation such as selecting and installing new equipment and changing materials or methods. Promotes safety and health among mine operators and workers by directing and participating 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. Testifies at judicial hearings regarding notices of violations and orders of withdrawal issues during inspections or investigations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a valid driver's license.
• Requires medical exam and must maintain physical requirements.
• Subject to random drug testing.
• 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. To qualify for this position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements as defined below. 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 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. To qualify for the GS-11 grade level: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include at least two of the following: Participates/assists in conducting a wide variety of on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities; Participates/assists 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; Assists ventilation experts on teams investigating accidents involving ventilation related accidents/hazards or issues. To qualify 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. 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 education substitution at the GS-11/12 grade levels.

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]