Industrial Hygienist

Veterans Health Administration • Miami, FL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Miami VA Healthcare System's Safety and Emergency Management Service is hiring an Industrial Hygienist to support staff and researchers engaged in medical research. The role contributes to occupational health programs, safety training and education, and compliance with regulatory standards. The position involves identifying and assessing workplace environmental factors and exposures that may affect health, and helping to mitigate associated risks. The incumbent conducts exposure monitoring, analyzes toxic materials and promptly notifies employees of overexposure. The role also works with Work Area Supervisors on compliance training and training-needs analysis.

The regular work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the supervisor may require different shifts temporarily or permanently based on facility or patient-care needs. A pre-employment physical examination is required. Physical demands include moderate lifting up to 44 pounds, carrying up to 15 pounds, frequent reaching above the shoulder, using fingers, hands and legs, operating cranes and motor vehicles, walking and standing for up to eight hours, bending, climbing, and being able to hear a whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally, and mentally stable to perform essential duties safely.

This is a GS-11 position. Applicants must meet the applicable occupational education or certification requirement and qualify through specialized experience, education, or a combination of both. The posting describes a one-year probationary period and states that continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the individual occupational basic requirement through a qualifying degree in industrial hygiene or a related field; a qualifying science or engineering bachelor's degree with the specified coursework; or certification from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing.
• For the GS-11 level, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9, qualify through the specified graduate education, or qualify through a combination of education and experience.
• Specialized experience may include workplace hazard identification and control, exposure assessments and reassessments, air monitoring, recommending controls, and providing occupational safety training.
• Current Federal employees and eligible former Federal employees must meet the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-9 for a GS-11 position.
• Submit a complete application package, including required resume and transcripts; qualifying Federal applicants must also submit an SF-50 documenting time in grade.
• Pass a VA Occupational Health pre-employment physical examination and meet the position's physical demands.
• Complete a background/suitability investigation and the online onboarding process.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must comply with Selective Service registration requirements.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• VA health care personnel must receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain a medical or religious exemption; masking is required when an exemption is granted.
• If selected, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit proof before the start date, subject to legally required accommodations.
• Meet the stated identification requirements for pre-employment processing.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and control environmental factors that can affect health and well-being in the workplace.
• Assist in mitigating risks associated with occupational exposures.
• Identify potential health hazards and analyze toxic materials.
• Conduct exposure monitoring and promptly notify employees in cases of overexposure.
• Collaborate with Work Area Supervisors to develop compliance training and analyze training needs.
• Develop and implement Basic Characterization and Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs), and conduct qualitative and quantitative exposure assessments.
• Conduct periodic reassessments based on exposure risk.
• Perform air monitoring to minimize exposure to hazardous materials and ensure monitoring criteria are met.
• Recommend exposure controls and strategies using the hierarchy of controls, including engineering and administrative measures and personal protective equipment.
• Provide occupational health and safety training and education to research staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• VA may approve credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level