Industrial Hygienist

Duties Duties include but are not limited to: Be a good steward of the environment by complying with all federal, state, and local environmental laws and other requirements, preventing pollution, minimizing waste, conserving cultural and natural resources and continually improving environmental programs.
Participate in the review of plans for new or modified facilities, processes, and materials for the evaluation of the adequacy of health hazard controls.
Areas of responsibility include sound pressure (noise), ventilation, lighting, airborne contaminants, hazardous materials, temperature or pressure extremes, biological hazards, and ergonomics.
Apply appropriate sampling techniques and procedures and may oversee the work of contractors engaged to perform specific monitoring.
Conduct education and training for staff and other personnel on specific industrial hygiene program requirements including asbestos, ergonomics, confined space, respirators, and hazard communication.
Advise top leadership, supervisors, managers, and safety committees of appropriate measures to control or eliminate potential health hazards and participate as the expert advisor on Industrial Hygiene matters on various committees.
Review and update all Industrial Hygiene related Medical Center policies and create any new related Industrial Hygiene policies based on Federal and State compliance requirements.
Compose correspondence in response to all inquiries, deficiencies, or action plans regarding matters pertaining to the Industrial Hygiene programs in a Health Care Delivery System.
Where hazardous exposures are discovered, analyze findings, and recommend, devise, and/or work with engineers to develop corrective/control measures, such as changes in work procedures, systems, materials and/or the use of personal protective equipment.
Serve as Environmental Compliance/Hazardous Materials Officer/Chemical Hygiene Officer responsible for the initiation, development, administration, coordination and auditing all aspects of Federal, State and municipal environmental protection, air quality, environmental health, emergency response.
As Chemical Hygiene Officer, is responsible for the identification, development, and coordination and auditing of the requirement of the OSHA Laboratory Standard, which mandates the appointment of a qualified Chemical Hygiene Officer meeting significant educational and training background requirements.
Partner with the Safety Officer to work with Service Safety Coordinators to help ensure service compliance with Industrial Hygiene requirements and regulations.
Support the development of facility industrial hygiene policies, programs, and procedural documentation.
Manage the following Industrial Hygiene Programs: respirator program, ventilation program, asbestos program, ergonomics program, heat stress program, indoor air quality program, ergonomics, hazardous communication program, OSHA Lead program, mercury program, formaldehyde program, assists with the medical surveillance program, hearing conservation program, laser safety program, and permit-required confined space entry program.
Conduct in-depth surveys and evaluations of working conditions/environments to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures and the effectiveness of existing control measures.
Serve as the Biohazards Officer responsible for initiating, developing, administering and auditing compliance with both protocols and guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Diseases Control (CDC), The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Ensure compliance with VHA, OSHA, NFPA, TJC, Life Safety Code, ASHRAE, and NRC Standards for the Health Care Delivery System and documents inspections and conducts follow-up to verify abatement of noted health hazards.
Serve as assistant radiation safety officer for an organization and conduct periodic radiation evaluations, both in non-ionizing and ionizing radiation.
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD069300 Relocation/Recruitment Incentive - May be authorized.
Physical Requirements: Investigations and surveys involve moderate physical exertion, including carrying equipment, climbing, standing, walking, and bending, as well as use of personal protective devices and occasional work in confined spaces.
Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.
S.
Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Individual Occupational Requirements:Applicants who meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below are fully qualified for the specified entry grade and must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements.
The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education 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 (ABIH).
Please Note: Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable.
Evaluation of Education All science or engineering courses offered in fulfillment of the above requirements must be acceptable for credit toward the completion of a standard 4-year professional curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in science or engineering at an accredited college or university.
For engineering degrees to be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) as a professional engineering curriculum.
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must also have specialized experience relevant to this position.
GS-12 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Specialized experience includes: Plan and conduct surveys, investigations, and evaluation of work operations throughout a facility that involve potentially hazardous environmental conditions.
Utilize specialized sampling and monitoring equipment to analyze work environments for employee occupational health hazard exposures.
Assess the health risks of identified workplace hazards, determining the nature and severity of the hazards present, and corrective measures and controls necessary to lower or eliminate worker exposure to the hazards.
Recommend and communicate to senior management the requirements for modifying or controlling conditions in the workplace to eliminate exposure hazards which may result in traumatic injury or damage to property.
Develop policies, programs and procedures designed to improve the overall occupational safety and health conditions in a workplace and comply with Federal, State, and local requirements.
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.
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: https://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://www.
ed.
gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.
html.
Additional information A 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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.
01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.
e.
, medical, religious or pregnancy).
VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.
If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.
The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.
opm.
gov/.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.
This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.
WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Documents Accepted: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Other (1) Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Documents Required: Resume RESUME REQUIREMENTS - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: - Job Title - Description of duties (be as detailed as possible) - Beginning and ending dates (month/year) of employment - Average hours worked per week Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
You will not be contacted for additional information.
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online.
Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
How to Apply All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/22/2023 to receive consideration.
To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.
usastaffing.
gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12224475.
1.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.
usajobs.
gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position.
The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information Kathy Carroll Phone 813-503-7921 Email Kathy.
Carroll@va.
gov Address New Orleans VA Medical Center 2400 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 US Next steps After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents Documents Accepted: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Other (1) Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Documents Required: Resume RESUME REQUIREMENTS - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: - Job Title - Description of duties (be as detailed as possible) - Beginning and ending dates (month/year) of employment - Average hours worked per week Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
You will not be contacted for additional information.
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online.
Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
Help This job is open to Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Clarification from the agency ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.
201) for this occupation.