Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service•Ames, IA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

This unit provides oversight and technical consultation on environmental, health, safety, and security issues to help ensure a safe and healthful environment for employees and visitors at the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) in Ames, Iowa. The incumbent assists the Biosafety Manager with biological safety program activities and provides guidance on biological safety compliance, laboratory ventilation and design, safety inspections, risk assessments, and biological safety cabinet certification. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain current ANSI-NSF 49 accreditation to certify biosafety cabinets.

Requirements

Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
If born male after December 31, 1959, be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Pass satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
Pass E-Verify employment verification.
Hold a valid state driver's license at the time of application.
Enroll in Continuous Vetting, as required for USDA employees.
Be able to obtain and maintain current ANSI-NSF 49 accreditation to certify biosafety cabinets.
Meet the GS-09 qualification requirement through either one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, qualifying graduate education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
For the experience pathway, demonstrate use of SOPs in a laboratory setting, application of biosafety principles in a laboratory setting, and reporting experiment or test results to supervisors.
Submit transcripts if qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience; qualifying education must be completed at an accredited school, college, or university.

Responsibilities

Assist the Biosafety Manager in planning, formulating, coordinating, and integrating biological safety program activities.
Provide input and guidelines on proposed and existing structures to ensure compliance with biological safety regulations.
Coordinate with the Facilities Engineering Unit regarding equipment and laboratory-space ventilation and biological safety cabinet design.
Conduct safety inspections of laboratory and support service areas and provide recommendations to support compliance.
Perform basic risk assessments involving personal protective equipment and provide guidance to NCAH personnel.
Test and certify Biological Safety Cabinets at the NCAH.
Maintain records of equipment and building filter changes and fumigations to ensure compliance.