Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Safety and Occupational Health Specialist supports safety and health staff with regulatory compliance, research, training, program development, accident prevention, and safety surveys in a healthcare environment. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location. The position may be authorized for telework, with eligibility discussed during the interview process.

The specialist works with supervisors, union officials, and safety and occupational health committees to eliminate or control hazardous operations and conditions. The work involves inspecting workplaces and employee performance patterns to identify hazards and risks; investigating reported injuries and illnesses; recording and validating program data; analyzing losses and factors that contribute to incidents; and preparing reports and recommendations. The role also promotes training to increase awareness of safety hazards and prevention procedures, and prepares written procedures for safety, life safety, fire protection, and occupational health policies.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized, and the Critical Skills Incentive is not approved. The position is subject to a one-year probationary period. Work is sedentary for extended periods, with frequent site visits involving surveys and physical movement. Site visits may involve exposure to fire-code inspections, construction sites, and hazardous materials.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Meet the GS-11 qualification requirements through one of the following: at least one year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to GS-9; qualifying doctoral-level education; or an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the second year or master's level.
• Specialized experience must include relevant safety or occupational health program work, such as managing program elements; developing policies or standards; applying laws and regulations; preventing or controlling hazards; reducing accidents and occupational illnesses; evaluating hazards; inspecting workplaces; or providing safety training.
• If qualifying through education, the required graduate study must be in safety or occupational health fields, or a related field with at least 24 semester hours in specified or closely related disciplines. Education must be from an accredited college or university.
• Submit transcripts if relying on education to meet qualification requirements.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding and employment identity-verification requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel employee.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Be able to perform frequent site visits involving prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, and other movement; the work may involve fire-code inspections, construction sites, and hazardous materials.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

Responsibilities

• Work with supervisors, union officials, and safety and occupational health committees to eliminate or control hazardous operations or conditions.
• Inspect workplace conditions and employee performance patterns to identify hazards and risks, determine causal relationships, and recommend hazard abatement.
• Investigate reported injuries and illnesses by gathering clues, studying variables, questioning witnesses, and retracing events.
• Validate collected data, document incidents and summaries accurately, and maintain program information.
• Analyze available data to identify sources of losses, determine critical factors, and recommend ways to eliminate or minimize injury- and illness-related losses.
• Define terminology and prepare reports, summaries, and other documentation related to safety and occupational health.
• Promote training activities that build awareness of safety hazards and preventive procedures.
• Prepare written procedures for implementing safety, life safety, fire protection, and occupational health policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package.
• Selected applicants may request and may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree