Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Fargo, ND

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Safety & Occupational Health Specialist performs a variety of functions related to the identification, evaluation, and control of safety and health hazards and to the promotion of healthful and safe working conditions. The work includes surveys; coordination with other health and safety specialists; administration of occupational, life, and fire safety programs; review of design plans for hazard control, investigation of causative agents for occupational hazards; and education/training.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and an online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• 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.
• An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• Individual Occupational Requirement - 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Recognizing potential hazards associated with a variety of operations and processes.
• Conducting surveys/inspections of working conditions to determine nature of hazardous exposures.
• Analyzing findings to recommend or develop corrective/control measures.
• Auditing for compliance with established guidelines.
• Developing policies to improve safety conditions.
• Preparing training concerning occupational, life, and/or fire safety.

Nice To Haves

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, implement, and manage a comprehensive occupational safety and fire protection program.
• Direct the development of facility occupational, life, and fire safety policies, programs and procedural documentation.
• Conduct in-depth surveys and evaluations of working conditions/environments to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures and the effectiveness of existing control measures.
• Participate in review of plans for new or modified facilities, processes, and materials for the evaluation of the adequacy of hazards.
• Ensure compliance with various guidelines and standard for the health care system.
• Ensure employees are appropriately protected from emerging hazards.
• Conduct education and training for the health care system staff and for other personnel on specific occupational, life, and fire safety program requirements.
• Advise top leadership, supervisors, managers, and safety committees of appropriate measures to control or eliminate potential hazards.
• Compose correspondence in response to all inquiries, deficiencies, or action plans regarding matters pertaining to the occupational, life, and fire safety programs.
• Develop policies, programs, and procedures designed to improve safety conditions and thereby reduce the incidence of injuries.
• Monitor contracts and scheduled work for fire suppression and protection systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed