Recent Graduate - Safety Engineer

Occupational Safety and Health Administration•Little Rock, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a one-year appointment under the Department of Labor Recent Graduates program. The appointee will perform safety engineering and workplace safety inspection duties at the GS-07 or GS-09 level. Selectees must report in person to the Jackson, Baton Rouge, or Little Rock Area Offices. The position is not remote; the selectee reports regularly to an assigned DOL office and may participate in telework as determined by management under DOL policy. Upon successful completion of the program, the appointee may, at the agency’s discretion, be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. The appointee must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for conversion. At GS-07, the employee assists with planning and conducting inspections or compliance reviews, prepares inspection reports, recommends penalties and abatement dates, suggests approaches to resolve hazards, conducts research to support inspections or information requests, and assists with interviews. At GS-09, the employee inspects worksites and equipment, documents hazards and apparent violations, supports agency attorneys in contested cases, reviews mishap and maintenance records and safety activities, interviews employees and supervisors, maintains legally sufficient case files, communicates with inspected parties, and assists with investigations of fatalities, injuries, and serious incidents. Assignments become more difficult and complex with less supervision as the employee progresses. Applicants must qualify under the engineering individual occupational requirements and the applicable GS-level specialized experience or education provisions. Recent-graduate eligibility generally requires completion of a qualifying degree, certificate, or program within the previous two years, subject to the stated exception for certain veterans. The position requires a valid driver’s license, a medical examination and maintenance of physical requirements, use of personal protective equipment, and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds. A background investigation and required security/investigation level are also conditions of employment.

Requirements

Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. citizen.
Must obtain the necessary security/investigation level and undergo a background investigation.
Must meet the engineering basic education requirement through a qualifying engineering degree or an accepted combination of education, training, experience, registration/licensure, examination, coursework, or related curriculum and experience.
Must meet Recent Graduates eligibility requirements, generally having completed a qualifying degree, certificate, or program within the previous two years; a stated exception applies to certain veterans.
Must meet the specialized experience or education qualifications for the GS-07 or GS-09 level, or an allowed combination of education and experience.
Must provide academic transcripts when relying on education to meet eligibility or qualification requirements.
Must sign a DOL Pathways Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Must complete a medical examination and maintain physical requirements.
Must use personal protective equipment and be able to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
The appointment’s entire duration constitutes a trial period.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning and conducting inspections or compliance reviews, or conduct qualifying inspections of business establishments and worksites.
Prepare inspection reports documenting apparent violations and recommend penalties and abatement dates.
Recommend strategies and techniques for resolving unsafe or hazardous conditions.
Conduct research to prepare for onsite inspections or respond to information requests.
Assist with interviews of supervisors and employees; at GS-09, interview them to assess work conditions and the worksite environment.
Inspect worksites, machinery and equipment operations, environmental conditions, work practices, protective devices and equipment, and safety procedures.
Record and photograph apparent violations and hazards as evidence.
Assist agency attorneys in preparing evidence when employers contest inspection results.
Review mishap, injury, and equipment-maintenance records and assess safety activities for compliance with requirements.
Maintain case files and supporting documentation sufficient to support findings.
Communicate with parties at inspected worksites.
Assist in investigating fatalities, injuries, mishaps, and serious incidents.