Supervisory Industrial Hygienist

Veterans Health Administration • North Chicago, IL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Industrial Hygienist is based in the Industrial Hygiene Division of the Public Health Department, Fleet Medicine Directorate, at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. FHCC is a system of facilities throughout Northeastern Illinois providing medical and dental services to U.S. military veterans, recruits, active-duty personnel, and eligible beneficiaries.

The position oversees and conducts inspections and investigations to identify occupational health hazards, evaluate exposure and regulatory compliance, and recommend effective controls or changes to work procedures and schedules. It addresses diverse work activities and environments involving chemical, biological, physical, and radiological hazards. The hygienist studies work operations and processes, examines work environments, analyzes findings and toxic materials, and recommends suitable procedures. The role also manages hazardous waste receipt and disposal and associated records in accordance with EPA standards, state law, and facility regulations; participates in national committees; and develops industrial hygiene policies, procedures, and reports. The position requires knowledge of organizational and oversight-agency requirements to develop and implement an industrial hygiene program for a large facility.

This is a non-virtual position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The role is at the GS-12 level. Investigations may involve moderate physical exertion and exposure to potentially hazardous or unpleasant conditions; protective equipment is required in some situations.

Requirements

• Meet one of the basic education or certification pathways: a bachelor's or graduate degree in industrial hygiene or a listed related field; a bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, or life science plus specified coursework; or American Board of Industrial Hygiene certification.
• For the specified science/engineering coursework pathway, have 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours in specified science, engineering, or health-related subjects.
• For engineering degrees, have a curriculum from a school of engineering with at least one ABET-accredited professional engineering curriculum; qualifying courses must be acceptable toward a standard four-year science or engineering degree.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including relevant industrial hygiene experience and knowledge applicable to healthcare facility inspections.
• Possess technical knowledge of industrial hygiene concepts, principles, and practices; healthcare facility operations, processes, materials, equipment, and by-products; sampling instrumentation, strategies, and analytical-method limitations; and controls for hazards such as toxic chemicals and noise.
• Have the ability to organize material and speak to groups to conduct training.
• Possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license.
• Submit required transcripts or proof of certification as applicable; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Current or former federal employees subject to time-in-grade rules must have 52 weeks at GS-11 for a GS-12 position and provide supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Meet employment conditions including U.S. citizenship, a pre-placement physical examination, applicable Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a probationary or trial period.
• Complete the application, assessment, questionnaire, and Supervisory Situational Judgment Test.

Nice To Haves

• High achievement or complexity in prior work, with experience in the same or a similar position and the ability to assume the duties with little or no training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and conduct facility inspections to identify occupational health hazards, determine the need for further studies and surveys, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Evaluate exposures and compliance with established criteria; advise on control measures and changes to work procedures or schedules.
• Conduct studies of work operations and processes, examine work environments, and analyze findings.
• Analyze toxic materials to determine their nature and degree.
• Recommend procedures suitable and effective for the work environment.
• Receive and dispose of hazardous waste and maintain records in accordance with EPA standards, state law, and facility regulations.
• Participate on national-level committees to support consistent and appropriate industrial hygiene practices and measures.
• Develop industrial hygiene policies, procedures, and detailed reports.
• Develop and implement an industrial hygiene program for a large facility, applying knowledge of organizational and oversight-agency requirements.
• Organize material and conduct training for groups.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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