Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Occupational Safety and Health Administration • Hartford, CT

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist in the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the Hartford Area Office in Hartford, Connecticut. It is inside the bargaining unit, with a full-performance level of GS-12. A writing sample may be included in the interview process. This is not a remote position: the selectee reports regularly to an assigned DOL office and may participate in telework as determined by management and DOL policy.

The specialist performs occupational safety and health compliance work at progressively responsible grade levels. Duties include assisting with and conducting inspections, investigations, compliance reviews, outreach, and evaluation of workplace safety programs. The work covers agricultural, construction, general industry, and maritime establishments and includes reviewing injury and illness records, identifying hazards, assessing compliance with federal OSHA standards, documenting findings, and supporting legally sufficient cases.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Obtain the required security or investigation level; a probationary period may be required if this requirement has not been met.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Drug test before appointment at GS-11 and GS-12; selected applicants may also be screened for illegal drug use before appointment.
• Medical examination and ability to maintain physical requirements; ability to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Meet the Individual Occupational Requirement through qualifying education, specialized experience, or an accepted certification. Qualifying education is major study in safety or occupational health, or a related degree with at least 24 semester hours in specified related disciplines. Qualifying experience includes safety and occupational health work such as program management, applying regulations, hazard analysis, inspection, hazard control, and training.
• For GS-07: 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, or one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education, superior academic achievement in a bachelor’s program, or a qualifying combination of education and competencies.
• For GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, or two years of graduate education or a master’s degree in a qualifying field or related field with the specified coursework.
• For GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, or three years of progressively higher-level related graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a qualifying or related field.
• Foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. accredited education and applicable coursework requirements.
• Employees must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information, or classified materials before entering on duty.

Responsibilities

• Participate in inspection teams and assist with planning or conducting limited portions of investigations or small investigations.
• Research mishap, injury, and equipment-maintenance records; audit employer injury records, safety plans, and program documentation.
• Document investigation findings and assist in preparing legally sufficient cases.
• Take photographs and videos of apparent occupational safety and health violations.
• Assist with opening and closing conferences and outreach activities; respond to information requests about OSHA policies, regulations, and programs.
• Conduct or participate in conferences with management, employees, and employee representatives to review hazards and unsafe working conditions.
• Conduct targeted outreach and provide information on OSHA legislation, regulations, and compliance activities to varied audiences.
• Assist in planning and conducting inspections and compliance reviews at establishments and worksites.
• Analyze portions of plan changes, programs, procedures, inspections, citations, and reports to evaluate compliance with occupational safety standards and programs.
• Conduct occupational safety and health inspections in agricultural, construction, general industry, and maritime establishments to assess compliance with federal OSHA standards.
• Investigate fatalities, injuries, serious accidents, and other unsafe conditions.
• Prepare for inspections by learning about workplace processes, operations, and applicable standards.
• Explain the inspection’s nature, purpose, procedures, and employee discrimination rights during opening conferences.
• Participate in efforts to obtain warrants and subpoena witnesses and documents when necessary.
• Analyze injury and illness data and review establishments’ occupational safety and health programs.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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