Summary The position is the Supervisory Safety and Occupational Health Specialist and is responsible for planning, organizing, administering and evaluating a comprehensive environmental and safety management program at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS), which provides comprehensive health care and education for Veterans and their families, to include the Veteran's Hospital, seven VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and two Rural Community Care Facilities. Responsibilities The Safety & Occupational Health Supervisor advises and assists Medical Center management officials regarding appropriate measures and alternate courses of action which will achieve goals with a minimum risk of injury to personnel and damage to property for the VA Medical Center. Instructs employees and supervisors in the techniques of performing duties free of mishaps. Appraises the degree of program compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; assesses achievements and recommends new procedures. Caries out the following: inspections of workplaces and community care and nursing homes; investigations of accidents, recording of injuries, occupational illnesses, property loses and fires; and, analyzing of lost time injuries and illnesses and reporting, as required. Major duties include, but are not limited to: The incumbent studies Federal, State or local requirements which contain permissible exposure limits, and collects/maintains appropriate documentation for reference materials and back up. Develops policies to comply with specific laws and regulations, which often contain conflicting requirements, while minimizing adverse impact to patient care. Keeps current and updated on new industry standards developed by other organizations; studies health and safety reports, journals and related periodicals in work processes that create health hazards. Develops policies to comply with specific laws and regulations, which often contain conflicting requirements, while minimizing adverse impact to patient care. Carries out inspections of workplaces and investigations of accidents, recording of injuries, occupational illnesses, property loss and fires; and analyzing of lost time injuries and illnesses and reporting, as required. Effects compliance with safety-related legislative and accrediting requirements at the Medical Center. These include those mandated by Federal, state and local authorities having specific jurisdiction concerning protection and quality of life and environment, as well as those of accrediting bodies. Specifically, incumbent shares primary responsibility for compliance with The Joint Commission Environment of Care and CARF Environment of Care standards. The incumbent operates an effective fire, safety, emergency management and occupational health program that meets VA, Joint Commission, and OSHA standards. The incumbent provides leadership and information to services toward fulfilling VASDHS occupational safety and health goals. The incumbent conducts proactive risk assessments that evaluate the potential adverse impact of buildings, grounds, equipment, occupants, and internal physical systems of the safety and health of patients, staff, and other people coming to the hospital's facilities. Coordinates hazard surveillance activities (e.g., Environment of Care Rounds and Safety Inspections), aggregate outcome data, and analyzes information to identify trends. The incumbent conducts periodic environmental tours to identify environmental deficiencies hazards, and unsafe practices. Explains performance expectations to employees and provides regular feedback on strengths and weaknesses. Hold employees responsible for satisfactory completion of work assignments. Rate workers' performance, ensuring consistency and equity in rating techniques: Recommend awards when appropriate. Hears and resolves employee complaints and refers serious unresolved complaints to higher level management. Initiates action to correct performance or conduct problems. Identifies employee developmental needs and provides or arranges for training (formal and on-the-job) to maintain and improve job performance. Encourages self-development. Promotes an environment in which employees are empowered to participate in and contribute to effective mission accomplishment. Discharges security responsibilities by ensuring education and compliance with security directives for employees with access to classified or sensitive material. Recognizes and takes action to correct situations posing a threat to the health or safety of subordinates. Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS): Familiarizes self with how their activities impact VA's goal to implement sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources. Preferred Experience: Past experience in Fire and construction safety, OSHA requirements, Confined Space, Job Hazard Analysis, Hazardous Materials, respiratory requirements and accident review. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Safety & Occupational Health Specialist/PD146640 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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, 11/08/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Basic Requirements: Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology. OR Specialized Experience: Experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Managing safety or occupational health program elements. Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management. Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements. Developing safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards. Developing or implementing programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses. Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards. Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate hazards. Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards. Training of workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects. Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse. OR, ?Certificates: Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience. GS-12 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Advises and assists management in determining appropriate safety measures and risk management to minimize injury of personnel and environment based on regulatory evaluation and guidance. performing various supervisory/leadership duties, such as assigning work, setting priorities/deadlines for work completion, and developing performance standards; managing safety, health, and environmental issues by anticipating, addressing, and/or controlling hazardous conditions, exposures, etc.; developing safety & occupational health policies and procedures; conducting audits/investigations of facilities to ensure compliance with applicable laws/regulations; and overseeing/managing various programs (i.e. construction safety management, industrial hygiene, emergency planning and response). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Interpersonal Skills Planning and Evaluating Strategic Thinking Technical Competence 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work may require the employee to carry a good deal of equipment and involves walking, standing, bending, climbing or crawling. The employee may be subject to all the risks and discomforts associated with industrial and construction activities in a healthcare facility. This exposure requires the use of protective clothing and equipment, including respirators, hardhats and ear protectors. Exposure to hazardous materials including biological, chemical and radioactive may be encountered. Incumbent is required to travel to all remote sites within the SAVAHCS area of responsibility, as well as to attend conferences, meetings and training events associated with the safety program. Travel is estimated to not exceed 25% of total duty time. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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: http://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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.