Safety and Occupational Health Specialist.

About the role

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO), Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), duty stationed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Responsibilities

• Manage safety or occupational health program elements.
• Develop or recommend safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management.
• Apply safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements.
• Develop safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards.
• Develop or implement programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses.
• Analyze or evaluate new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
• Design or modify workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate hazards.
• Inspect or survey workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards.
• Train workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects.
• Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse.

Physical Demands

The work requires the performance of on-site inspections. Work may require extended periods of walking and standing, climbing ladders, or working in inclement weather during surveys and inspections.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office that is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. During surveys, investigations, and inspections, the incumbent may be required to use a variety of personal protective clothing and equipment such as hard hats, face masks, and hearing protection.

Travel

You may be required to travel for meetings and/or trainings.

Schedule

This position is eligible for telework and the employee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Requirements

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• 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.
• Serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/12/2026) unless otherwise stated.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide this information may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-12, you MUST possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience in at least four of the following seven areas:

• Interpreting and applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures.
• Planning and conducting inspections and hazard assessments of laboratories, shops, warehouses, equipment, industrial operations, or other complex work environments.
• Evaluating occupational hazards and industrial hygiene concerns and recommending appropriate engineering, administrative, or personal protective equipment controls.
• Documenting identified deficiencies and tracking corrective actions through completion.
• Investigating and analyzing accidents or incidents to determine root causes, contributing factors, and preventive actions.
• Developing or delivering safety education, training, and awareness materials.
• Utilizing software applications to analyze accident or hazard trends and prepare reports, charts, and management briefings.

Volunteer experience, including work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social), may be credited as qualifying experience.

Education

This position does not allow substituting education for experience.

Additional Information

• Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
• All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses, as applicable.
• Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.