Industrial Hygienist

Summary

Industrial Hygienist performs various duties to assess work practices and environmental conditions for hazards to the to the health and safety with employees and patients of the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center. Regularly inspects the medical center to identify potential occupational health hazards and the need for further investigative studies and surveys.

Duties

• Incumbent must be resourceful in devising alternative methods to accomplish program objectives when technical guidelines are not always clear-cut, economic conflicts arise, etc. Work situations cover a wide variety of hazards, work activities and environments and involve numerous types and quantities of exposure to chemical, biological, physical and radiological hazards. Incumbent must exercise good judgement in selecting ways and means of adapting established methods of monitoring, analyzing and controlling to meet unique hazardous situations including interpretation of multiplicative hazardous factors in work operations. Duties include: Conducting studies of work operations and processes, examining work environments, analyzing findings, promulgating recommendations, and preparing various reports. Performs analysis to determine nature and degree of toxic materials present. Interprets results of studies for the work environment in terms of possible impairment to health, nature of health impairment, potential for medical center damages, etc. Determines the need for, and effectiveness of, control measures and changes in work procedures. Recommends procedures that will be suitable and effective for the environment. Receives and disposes of hazardous wastes and maintains appropriate records in accordance with existing EPA standards, state law and VA regulations. Prepares comprehensive and legally sufficient written reports of all monitoring activities performed which are subsequently incorporated into comprehensive reports prepared to assess the overall effectiveness of the industrial hygiene program. Ensures proper documentation of employee exposures in medical records. Conducts program for the education of workers in the prevention of occupational exposures and diseases at the medical center (hazard communication program). Presents expert testimony before courts of law, hearing boards, workmen's compensation commissions, and other investigative bodies covering all matters pertaining to industrial hygiene. Performs on-site inspection of new construction to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards. Actively participates in and advises multidisciplinary committees on matters related to industrial hygiene. Work Schedule: Shifts Monday- Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm , or 7:30am to 4:00pm, or 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD502080 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Emotional and mental stability are required.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may 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. Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.