The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This is a trainee position that aims to train an incumbent to become an Industrial Hygienist within the Safety Department. The incumbent trainee will serve under the preceptorship of a Supervisory Industrial Hygienist designee for the purpose of orientation, learning and experiencing specialized functions.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/02/2025. THIS POSITION HAS A BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: 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 American Board of Industrial Hygiene (external link) (ABIH). The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable. Experience/Education GS-07: In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, Applicant must have one year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Assisting in identifying and evaluating health hazards; surveying, assessing, and investigating health problems; determining the probable cause and recommending solutions; sampling equipment and techniques; and calibrating and using a wide variety of industrial hygiene sampling instrumentation. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.). or superior academic achievement (3.5 GPA). Transcripts Required OR, Combination of Education and Experience: You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analysis and Problem Solving Compliance Inspection Knowledge Management Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: The performance of duties requires long period of walking, standing, crawling, kneeling and bending. Moderate lifting and carrying of equipment, use of personal protective devices, and work in hazardous and confined spaces is required. Use of all appendages, good vision and hearing are necessary.
The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Industrial Hygienist Trainee: Duties include working with Safety Office staff to conducting studies and follow-up on complaints, analyzing findings, and preparing various reports to be reviewed with the Safety Manager. Environmental conditions involve a variety of hazards, e.g., chemical, noise, heat, actinic rays, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and other environmental physical agents. Assigned work includes industrial shops, production areas, laboratories, confined areas, and outdoor work sites Work schedule: Monday - Friday daylight tour to be discussed during the interview process Compressed/Flexible Schedule: negotiable Telework: not authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD646051210