The Division maintains specialized instrumentation, analytical, and experimental laboratories for the analysis of organic compounds. The incumbent is a principal operator and specialist in the operation and maintenance of MSHA's mobile gas chromatography laboratories and other equipment for emergency response and deployment to mine fires or other emergency events.

Duties

The responsibilities described are for the full performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity. Independently deploys and operates mobile analytical gas laboratories to remote mining operations, for immediate analysis of mine air contaminants and oversees the technical work of other analysts. Maintains gas analysis instrumentation and mobile laboratories in a ready-to-deploy status at all times and may be called upon on a 24-hour basis to deploy laboratories to mine emergencies anywhere in the United States. Fabricates, modifies and repairs gas chromatography instrumentation as well as support systems and equipment. Modifies, develops, and verifies gas chromatography methods and conducts special studies and analyses to identify and quantify gases and organic compounds. Interprets and evaluates the results of analyses. Develops standard operating procedures for analytical laboratories and instrumentation. Conducts routine analyses on industrial hygiene samples. In support of special investigations, performs specialized analytical work such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Plans, coordinates, and leads industrial hygiene field investigations and accident investigations involving exposures to hazardous chemical agents at coal and metal/non-metal mines. Prepares technical reports of studies and investigations. Advises on technical inquiries concerning the proper procedures and methods for the collection of mine gases and organic compounds and the interpretation of data. Authors technical manuscripts and presents findings at professional meetings, conferences, and workshops. Serves as a technical expert in resultant litigation.

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Requires a valid driver's license.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.

Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Education Requirements and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Chemist, as described below. All applicable transcripts must be submitted. Basic Requirement: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. or Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the specialized experience qualification requirements listed below. These types of examples must be fully evident in your resume. For the GS-11: At least 1 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 4 of the following: Demonstrated ability to follow laboratory policies and procedures. Perform routine gas chromatography analytical work to identify and quantify gases and organic compounds. Perform routine statistical data analyses. Assists with industrial hygiene field investigations and accident investigations involving exposures to hazardous chemical agents. Assists with preparation and presentation of technical reports and findings. Deploys and operates mobile gas laboratories for the analysis of mine atmospheric samples during mine emergency events. Calibrates, operates, and maintains variety of analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, and hydrogen generators in order to conduct established analysis and tests. For the GS-12: At least 1 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 3 of the following: Develops and verifies gas chromatography analytical methods to identify and quantify gases and organic compounds. Fabricates, troubleshoots, and repairs gas chromatography systems and equipment. Conducts routine analyses on industrial hygiene samples. Leads industrial hygiene field investigations and accident investigations involving exposures to hazardous chemical agents. Prepares technical reports or manuscripts and presents findings at professional meetings, conferences, workshops, or similar environments. Advises on the collection of mine gases and organic compounds and the interpretation of associated data. Functions as a principal chemist during mobile gas laboratory deployments and mine emergencies.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position.

Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Contacts

• Address Mine Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 US
• Name: Rhonda Dory
• Phone: 972-850-4427
• Email: [email protected]