The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. This is an entry level position located within the Office of Safety and Emergency Management as an Industrial Hygienist at the VA Western New York Healthcare System.

Duties

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a fully funded (up to $10,000 per year) and formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level 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. Major duties listed below represent the full performance level at GS-11. At GS-7 level, performance of assignments includes a more limited scope with less independence. Knowledge and background experience necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11 occurs progressively. The following are some duties expected at the full performance level: Ability to perform various duties to identify and evaluate work practices, environmental conditions, and injury and illness risk to protect the health and safety of workers. Conduct IH surveys to evaluate potential exposures, determine compliance with established occupational exposure limits, and advise on control measures and changes in work procedures or schedules to comply with established health requirements to reduce or limit hazards. Surveys will provide information for documentation and evaluation purposes. Perform analysis to determine nature and degree of toxic material present. in a variety of materials, such as personal and environmental samples, and industrial products. Interpret results of studies for work environment in terms of possible impairment to health, nature of health impairment, potential for medical center damage, and present specific conclusions and recommendations to appropriate management and health officials. Determine measurements to be made and methods to be used to evaluate hazards. Calibrate and readily use various kinds of IH equipment, including, but not limited to sound level meters, air monitoring equipment, heat stress instruments, quantitative respiratory protection fit-testing devices, ventilation measurement tools, photoionization meters and similar type equipment. Conduct studies of work operations and processes, examine work environments, analyze findings, propose recommendations, and prepare various reports in order to communicate hazards to management and workers. Consult with and advise occupational health personnel on matters of epidemiology and toxicology relative to health hazards. Regularly inspect work areas to identify potential occupational health and safety hazards and the need for further investigative studies and surveys. Determine need for and effectiveness of control measures and changes in work procedures. Recommend procedures suitable and effective for the environment and feasible for the mission. Assist in receipt and disposal process of hazardous waste and maintain appropriate records in accordance with existing EPA standards, state law and VA regulations. Prepare legally sufficient written reports of monitoring activities performed and incorporate into comprehensive reports prepared to assess overall effectiveness of the IH program Ensure proper notification of employee exposures and coordinate documentation of employee exposures in medical records. Provide training and education to staff as needed regarding worker exposures and hazards in the workplace including proper use of controls, work practices, and PPE. Assignments will cover a variety of program areas including respiratory protection, hearing conservation, qualitative/quantitative exposure assessment, asbestos, lead, mold, indoor air quality, heat stress, hazard communication, and ergonomics. Work schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available 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. Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist (TCF)/PD00987A

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05; and for the GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You must first meet the Basic - Individual Occupational Requirement: 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). In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, you may qualify based on education and or experience as described below: GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 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 concepts, principles, and practices applicable to the performance of portions of industrial hygiene inspections of a variety of private industrial concerns to include use and calibrating of sampling equipment and techniques.Comprehensive knowledge of safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures and standards applicable to the performance of the safety and occupational health responsibilities at a VA medical center. Requires the planning, organizing, directing, operating and evaluation of occupational health hazards in industrial operations where processes are of a conventional nature and literature on the hazards is, in most cases, readily available. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one-year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond beyond a bachelors degree. GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Professional knowledge of industrial hygiene concepts, principles, and practices applicable to the performance of relatively routine industrial investigations, or to portions of large and complex investigations.Knowledge required to identify and evaluate occupational health hazards found in industrial operations where processes are of a conventional nature and literature on the hazards is, in most cases, readily available; also, knowledge required to assist in more complex investigations involving a wide variety of conditions.Knowledge required to recommend control measures or possible approaches to the control of harmful exposure. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two-years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first year of gradute level education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analysis and Problem SolvingCompliance InspectionKnowledge Management 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: Industrial hygiene surveys are frequent and require the employee to carry moderately heavy equipment.Investigations also involve a good deal of standing, walking, and bending.

Education

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

Contacts

• Address VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Sarah Cassidy
• Email: [email protected]