Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Summary

The Safety and Occupational Health Specialist works with supervisors - union officials - and safety and occupational health committees to eliminate or control hazardous operations or conditions. Safety and occupational health specialists perform nonsupervisory work in one or more of the following areas: inspecting - investigating - recording - analyzing - and reporting. Their work is also characterized by the need to develop educational material and techniques.

Duties

• This position involves a multi-grade career ladder
• The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11
• At the GS-7 and GS-9 grade level - the employee performs 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
• Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance - availability of higher-level work - and availability of funds Duties include but not limited to: The incumbent of this position is responsible for safety program planning and implementation
• Employee will complete regulatory program documentation and lead facility self-assessments - inspections and other safety-related investigations for VAPORHCS facilities - CBOCs - other extended programs within the VAPORHCS
• He/she is responsible for assuring a safe work and patient care environment through interaction with service chiefs - department heads - supervisors and employees and by keeping abreast of changes in standards - laws and regulations that may affect work practices in the care environment
• The incumbent provides advice and information on occupational safety and life (fire) safety matters to top hospital officials - service chiefs and first line supervisors
• He/she collects pertinent fire safety and health information and presents authoritative detailed reports used in informing the Medical Center Safety and Risk Management Committee (SRMC) of occupational and fire safety reports/standards/requirements - regarding fire code compliance related issues
• Some areas of responsibilities are as follows: The employee administers safety and occupational health programs to assure compliance with applicable standards and requirements
• They are responsible for drafting - revising and maintaining of all Occupational Safety policies to ensure they are accurate and identify any changes to policies and regulations
• The employee advises senior level management officials on the implementations needed within the assigned area on the status of the safety and occupational health programs and recommends changes in the design of work programs to meet new safety and occupational health standards
• The employee periodically - confers with safety and occupational health specialists external to the facility to identify hazards related to new laboratory equipment or other areas and to become familiar with evolving techniques and protective devices for controlling or eliminating potential safety hazards
• The employee independently schedules surveys of VA buildings and offices to identify and evaluate risks involving a wide variety of work environments
• determines the extent to which mechanical and physical conditions comply - and makes decisions regarding adherence to established safety policies and procedures
• The employee directs investigations of accidents - analyzing precipitating factors and accident cause data in order to develop specific methods for prevention
• He/she also consults with specialists from related occupations concerning work process modifications and recommends corrective or remedial safety measures
• Employee is responsible for implementation and maintenance of the Environment of Care rounds and program and the implementation of the medical centers construction safety program - that includes the JC Statement of Conditions (SOC's) program
• The employee trains other employees and lower grade occupational safety and industrial hygiene staff - providing instruction on a variety of subjects - including chemical - biological - or physical safety topics
• He/she adapts various available media to fit special and unique training requirements and participates in the development of novel or innovative safety training and promotion activities
• The employee participates in the facility Safety - Accident Review Board (ARB) - and/or Environment of Care (EOC) committees
• 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
• Work Schedule: Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist/PD21466A - PD21467A - and PD21468A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to highly qualified candidate.