Industrial Hygienist (GEMS)

Summary

The South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Coordinator is the key member of the STVHCS GEMS Committee responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the VA GEMS across STVHCS organizational elements.

Duties

• Major Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates the efforts of health care system staff to ensure that the environmental program is developed and implemented in accordance with national, agency, state and local policy and guidance. Coordinates an effective health care decontamination team in compliance with standards of the Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Joint Commission. Performs on-site inspections of new construction to ensure compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and health care system policies. Manages medical center environmental programs and coordinates efforts of organizations that relate to environmental matters. Keeps abreast of latest development in environmental management systems, respiratory protection, and health care decontamination by review of technical publications, attending technical conferences or professional society meetings, and discussions with industry representatives. Is the technical authority for the health care system with the responsibility for assuring adequacy of the Green Environmental Management System program, respiratory protection, and decontamination requirements for the operations and maintenance of such programs. Develops, evaluates, and provides corrective actions for respirator programs. Recommends and approves remedial actions. Conducts internal annual gap analysis of program in preparation for evaluation by higher level office. Reviews implementation of policy and procedures and reports the status to national level. Discusses deficiencies and remedial action with appropriate local leadership and committee. Approves preventive and corrective actions. Reviews how expansion, modifications, or closures of existing facilities and infrastructure and new constructions will affect the environment, and provides information that will minimize adverse impacts to human health and the environment and reduce the health care system's vulnerability. Conducts education program for employees in the prevention of occupational exposures and diseases (hazard communication program) and documents all training. Cooperatively works with federal, state, and local environmental and occupational safety and health organizations in areas of mutual interest. Responds to inquiries and provides technical assistance to health care system personnel. Calibrates and uses a variety of industrial hygiene instrumentation, including but not limited to air sampling pumps, noise survey instruments, and field direct reading devices. Develops, implements, and maintains the respiratory protection program to include identification of workplaces requiring respiratory protection, coordination of medical examinations, and conducting respirator training and fit-testing for affected employees. Receives and disposes of hazardous wastes and maintains appropriate records in accordance with existing Environmental Protection Agency standards and state law. Develops and presents budgetary information related to environmental programs. Identifies and requisitions test equipment used in performing industrial hygiene tasks. Implements and monitors compliance with federal, state, and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources. Conducts studies of work operations and processes, examines work environments, analyzes findings, promotes recommendations, and prepares reports. Receives and disposes of hazardous wastes and maintains appropriate records in accordance with existing regulations. Responds to industrial hygiene inquiries and provides technical assistance to employees. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist (GEMS)/PD035680Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Industrial Hygienist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive - Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Occasional travel required to/from parent facility in San Antonio, TX and outpatient clinic locations. Approved training opportunities may require travel to location of training.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.