Industrial Hygienist

The Miami VA Healthcare System's Safety and Emergency Management Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Industrial Hygienist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

• A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science; or
• A bachelor's degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene; or
• Certification from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (formerly American Board of Industrial Hygiene(external link) (ABIH)).

Note:

Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable.

In addition, you must qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Identifying, evaluating, and controlling environmental factors that can affect health and well-being in the workplace. Developing and implementing various crucial aspects such as Basic Characterization, establishing Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs), and performing both Qualitative and Quantitative Exposure Assessments. Conducting Periodic reassessments based on the risk level of exposure to ensure continued safety. Air monitoring to minimize exposure to hazardous materials, ensuring that all monitoring criteria are met.

Recommending exposure controls and strategies following the hierarchy of controls, including engineering, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment (PPB). Providing training and education for research staff on occupational health and safety practices.

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.