Safety and Occupational Health Specialist; Dive Safety Officer

You will serve as a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist (Dive Safety Officer) for the Occupational Safety & Health Management Branch.

Pay will vary based on grade level and/or duty location for which you're selected. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

This job is open to:

• The public
• U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

• Prepares new or revised standards, policies, guidance, training, and procedures in support of USGS scientific diving missions.
• Develops training to address the needs of the missions of USGS scientific divers.
• Works with regional dive leads, dive groups, and cooperators to ensure safe scientific dive operations.
• Performs independent external safety audits of dive safety programs and documents results.
• Provides technical scientific diving expertise and assistance in support of underwater scientific research.
• Serves as the senior, lead USGS Dive Safety Officer, is an authorized USGS diver, and serves as the Dive Safety Board Chair.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• You must pass a physical examination.
• You may need to complete a statement regarding your physical ability.
• You are required to obtain and maintain a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, and/or overtime.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 5 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• Position will be expected to gain certification within 5 of years of hiring in the following: 1. Dry Suit
  - Instructor, 2. Diving First-Aid
  - Instructor, 3. USGS Swift Water Awareness, 4. Hyperbaric Medicine and Diving Physiology, 5. Recognizing & diagnosing Otic barotrauma while in the field, 6. Dive Injury Recognition and Management
  - Instructor, and 7. Altitude Diving.
• The duty station of this position may be any USGS location that is agreed upon by the selecting official and the selectee. If the agreed upon location results in the relocation of the selectee, the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized.

As a Condition Of Employment For Accepting This Position, You Will Be Required To Serve a 1-year Probationary Period During Which Your Fitness And Whether Your Continued Employment Advances The Public Interest Will Be Evaluated. This Probationary Period Is An Extension Of The Appointment Process And Therefore Requires The Agency To Determine If Continued Employment Would Advance The Public Interest, Meet The Organization Goals And Mission Of The Agency, And/or Otherwise Promote The Efficiency Of The Service.

In Determining If Your Employment Advances The Public Interest, The Agency Will Consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/16/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

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