Mine Safety and Health Specialist_

Summary This position is located with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Enforcement Division, Denver District. There is one position to fill in one of the following locations: Mesa, AZ, Denver, CO, Helena, MT, Rapid City, SD, West Jordan, UT OR Green River, WY. This position serves as a Special Investigator for Enforcement discrimination complaints filed under Section 105(c) and Section 110 of Public Law 95-164. This position is inside the bargaining unit. Responsibilities 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. Conducts special investigations of accidents and fatality disasters after rescue and recovery operations are completed. Secures evidence and maintains a chain of custody, issuing citations or orders resulting from the disaster. Makes determinations regarding possible knowing, willful violations, and participates in civil or criminal proceedings, as necessary. Investigates discrimination complaints filed by miners, representatives of miners, or applicants for employment. Investigates possible knowing and or willful violations. Conducts other investigative activities as the needs of the district dictate. Develops unique investigative strategies. Collects evidence and facts according to all local, State, and Federal mandates, laws, rules, and/or regulations. Analyzes facts and evidence collected during an investigation to assure proper interpretation of said facts and evidence. Conducts interviews with possible witnesses. May also conduct interviews or collect information or evidence from businesses associated with coal mining, inspectors, supervisors, managers, engineers, technical support staff, and specialists. Coordinates investigative activities with adversarial legal counsel and or mine management, as needed. Maintains control of evidence and confidential statements and other documented facts in accordance with MSHA guidelines, policies, procedures, and mandates. Ensures that the purpose of the investigation is fulfilled and all issues are adequately addressed. Secures evidence, facts, information, reports, and other documentation. As required, independently conducts a wide variety of on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants, and related facilities. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 (Individual Occupational Requirements) 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 and/or education requirements as defined below. If qualifying based on experience, be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume. 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 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: 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 is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must include three of the following: Participating in special investigations with respect to accident and fatality disasters after rescue and recovery operations are completed, secure evidence, issuing violations, citations, or orders resulting from disaster; Independently conducts safety and health inspections; Issues citations and orders with intent of accident prevention and reduction; Writes comprehensive technical reports or other documentation pertaining to investigations; Participates in other investigative activities as the needs dictate. 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 educational substitution in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-12 level. Additional Information This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fostering a workplace and workforce that promote equal employment opportunity, reflects the diversity of the people we seek to serve, and models a culture of respect, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually. All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. Click here for Telework Position Information Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to the appointment. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.