Industrial Hygienist

Veterans Health Administration • Stockton, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Industrial Hygienist works in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Service to ensure industrial hygiene program elements are implemented in accordance with standards and directives from the Veterans Health Administration, The Joint Commission, OSHA, ACGIH, NIOSH, and applicable VA and VHA authorities. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

The role involves inspecting medical facilities, evaluating workplace conditions and exposures, identifying occupational health hazards, and recommending effective controls. The Industrial Hygienist gathers and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data, prepares comprehensive reports, assesses compliance with established health and safety criteria, evaluates potential health effects, and helps prevent or eliminate workplace conditions that may cause illness or impaired health. The position also reviews construction and facility project plans, advises on medical surveillance, oversees hazardous-waste handling records, and carries out laser safety and Nominal Hazard Zone evaluations.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized, and a Critical Skills Incentive is not approved. The position requires a one-year probationary period. Physical duties include extended walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, and bending; moderate lifting and carrying; use of personal protective devices; and work in hazardous and confined spaces.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Meet the basic education requirement through one of the following: a bachelor's or graduate degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or a related science; a bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, or life science with 12 semester hours in chemistry (including organic chemistry) and 18 additional semester hours in specified related subjects; or Board for Global EHS Credentialing certification.
• In addition to the basic education requirement, meet one of the following: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9; a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; three years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward a Ph.D.; or an eligible combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience must involve industrial hygiene or similar work in a large facility, responsibility for recommendations or decisions concerning critical industrial hygiene matters, and control of health hazards.
• Specialized experience must include collecting quantitative and qualitative data and measuring exposures to chemical, physical, and biological stresses; analyzing data and predicting probable health effects; and selecting and recommending appropriate management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment controls.
• Submit transcripts and/or certification as applicable to document qualifications based on education or certification.
• Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Register with Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete a background/security investigation and required online onboarding.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel requirement.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Meet physical requirements including prolonged walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, and bending; moderate lifting and carrying; use of personal protective devices; and work in hazardous and confined spaces. Good vision and hearing, use of all appendages, and emotional and mental stability are required.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

Responsibilities

• Inspect medical facilities to identify potential occupational health hazards and the need for additional studies or surveys.
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data and prepare comprehensive, legally sufficient reports assessing the industrial hygiene program.
• Study work operations and processes to determine compliance with established criteria.
• Interpret study results in relation to possible health impairment, the nature of health effects, and potential medical-center damage.
• Examine work environments for compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Prevent and eliminate workplace environmental conditions that cause sickness, impaired health, or illness.
• Analyze substances to determine the nature and degree of toxic materials present.
• Determine and recommend suitable and effective environmental control measures and procedures.
• Receive and dispose of hazardous wastes and maintain records in accordance with EPA standards, state laws, and VA regulations.
• Evaluate environmental conditions for physical, chemical, biological, radiation, and other environmental hazards.
• Technically review plans and specifications for construction, maintenance, repair, replacement, and modification projects to ensure applicable codes and standards are incorporated.
• Recommend corrections for deficient design criteria and cite the applicable code or standard.
• Advise Occupational Health on medical surveillance requirements for employees working with hazardous materials or in hazardous environments, as determined by OSHA.
• Specify signs and labels, approve facility controls, provide laser safety training as needed, and designate laser and incidental staff.
• Perform Nominal Hazard Zone evaluations, ensure appropriate controls are in place, and approve alternate controls.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may qualify to receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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