Industrial Hygienist

Summary The John D Dingell VAMC is currently recruiting for an Industrial Hygienist .

*The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

* Responsibilities 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 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 Industrial Hygienist (TCF) trainee serves as an Industrial Hygienist in the Safety Office as a member of the Medical Center Director's office.

The position shall serve as a backup to the Safety Officer.

This is a career progressive position with various duties to access work practices and environmental conditions for hazards to the health and safety of workers.

The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of a GS11.

At the GS07 and GS09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence.

You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Perform various duties to access work practices and environmental conditions for hazards to the health and safety of workers. Generally, work is auxiliary to a higher grade industrial hygienist. Conduct surveys to identify and evaluate health hazards and potential health hazards.

Surveys involve determining compliance with established threshold limit values (TLV), evaluating exposures, and advising on control measures and change in work procedures or schedules to comply with the established health requirements and to provide information for evaluation purposes.

Perform analysis using standard methods to determine nature and degree of toxic material present in a variety of materials such as environmental samples, body fluids, and industrial products.

Determine measurements to be made and methods to be used, calibrates and adapts various kinds of equipment, such as standard spectrophotometers, pH meters, and gas chromatographic apparatus.

Conduct studies of work operations and processes, examining work environments, analyzing findings, promulgating recommendations, and preparing various reports. Consult with and advise occupational health personnel on matters of epidemiology relative to health hazards in the work area.

Regularly inspects the medical center to identify potential occupational health hazards and the need for further investigative studies and surveys.

Perform analysis to determine nature and degree of toxic material present.

Interpret results of studies for the work environment in terms of possible impairment to health, nature of health impairment, potential for medical center damages, etc., and present specific conclusions and recommendations to appropriate management and health officials.

Determine the need for, and effectiveness of, control measures and changes in work procedures. Recommend procedures that will be suitable and effective for the environment.

Receive and disposes of hazardous wastes and maintains appropriate records in accordance with existing EPA standards, state law and VA regulations.

Prepares comprehensive and legally sufficient written reports of all monitoring activities performed which are subsequently incorporated into comprehensive reports prepared to assess the overall effectiveness of the industrial hygiene program.

Ensures proper documentation of employee exposures in medical records.

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Position Description Title/PD#:
Industrial Hygienist (Technical Career Field)/PD00985A and PD00985B

Physical Requirements:

The employee is exposed to a wide range of hazardous and unpleasant conditions during investigations, including toxic materials, high noise levels, and temperature extremes.

Use of protective clothing and equipment is required. 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. Use of all appendages, good vision and hearing are necessary. Emotional and mental stability are required.

Promotion Potential:

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.

Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:
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 GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 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:

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.

Knowledge of safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures, and standards applicable to the performance of the safety and occupational health responsibilities at a workplace.

Knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls; Experience conducting studies, analyzing findings, and preparing various reports; Experience in the collection and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative data.

OR, Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the experience required.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement, directly related to the position.

OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. GS-09 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 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:

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 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the position.

OR, Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 level.

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 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:
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. 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. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. Pursuant to VHA Directive , 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

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