Mine Safety and Health Specialist

Duties The GS-13 position is developmental, leading to the full performance level, GS-14.Leads or actively participates in the development and revision of mandatory safety standards.Consults with other offices and recommends new or revised regulations and represents the MSHA at public hearings.Provides technical guidance, service and staff assistance in all areas of mining to Headquarters and the Field.Develops and holds seminars in assigned program area to promote applicable new technology to assist in developing new programs for improving techniques aimed toward eliminating accidents. Manages the development and implementation of training classes or seminars for field personnel and others.Approves, implements and monitors field evaluations of mining or safety systems at complex mining operations. Analyzes data and monitors state-of-the art mine technology which has significant implications on national safety programs.Recommends approval or disapproval of petitions for modification of standards filed under 101 (c) of the Act. Analyzes and disseminates complex technical, regulatory or safety related information.Promotes, plans, manages and evaluates one or more of the following programs : Roof Control, Ventilation, Electrical, Mine Emergencies, Impoundments and other miscellaneous safety areas in underground and surface mines.Communicates orally regarding mining technology and related safety enforcement issues.Presents speeches at conferences, symposiums or seminars.Testifies as an MSHA expert witness at hearings regarding mine safety and enforcement. Testifies at Congressional Committees or Subcommittee hearings or inquiries.Designs, implements and monitors highly specialized, multi-faceted, and adaptable mine safety programs which impact and interface with other safety programs.Evaluates. monitors and reviews district and national safety related enforcement programs and information, such as pattern of violations.Conducts comprehensive analyses of data from wide variety of mine accidents that are critical interest to MSHA.Evaluates and advises supervisor on state-of-the-art activities in mine equipment development and technology.Prepares in-depth technical reports at conclusion of analyses which identify causes of recurring mine accidents, data trends and recommends new enforcement strategies, method of prevention, and corrective actions to eliminate identified problems and weaknesses.Writes directives and policies regarding implementation and interpretation of mine safety standards, inspection procedures and enforcement guidelines on safety standards.Plans, organizes, directs and monitors the creation and revision of inspection handbooks.Writes technical reports, briefing papers, speeches, bulletins, correspondence, etc.Prepares and reviews manuscripts, speeches, reports, draft regulations, etc.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentMust be at least 16 years old.Must be a U.S. Citizen.Candidate required to obtain the necessary security / investigation level.Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.Subject to financial disclosure requirements.Requires a valid driver's license.Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests. QualificationsThe Mine Safety and Health Inspection Series, GS-1822, has basic requirements for positions covered by this standard. Applicants must meet both the basic requirements and specialized experience for the specific grade level to qualify. To qualify for Mine Safety and Health Specialist position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements as defined below. If qualifying based on experience, be sure these types of examples are evident in your resume.Basic Requirement : One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower level : Performing mine safety and health inspection, analysis and evaluation of health / safety aspects of mining industry operations and processes; or evaluation, analysis or development of agency programs.Examples of creditable experience include : Direct on-site inspection; special accident investigation; development of mine safety and health standards; data analysis and evaluation of operational mine safety and health programs; special assessments; and development of industry-wide training or safety and health awareness programs.Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.For the GS-13 grade level : Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12 in Federal Service.Specialized experience must include at least three (3) of the following : Direct on-site inspections or investigations and / or conducting accident investigations.Serve as a Subject Matter Expert providing advice and recommendations to others on matters related to mine safety policies.Apply analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to develop new procedures.Provide guidance in the enforcement of Mine Safety and Health standards.Produce, edit, and proofread, written logical, technical and analytical reports and documents.For the GS-14 grade level : Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-13 in Federal Service. Specialized experience must include at least five (5) of the following : Direct on-site inspections or investigations and / or conducting accident investigations.Serve as a Subject Matter Expert providing advice and recommendations to others on matters related to mine safety policies.Apply analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to develop new procedures.Provide oversight and guidance in the enforcement of Mine Safety and Health standards.Produce, edit, and proofread, written logical, technical and analytical reports and documents.Planning, developing, and implementing safety measures accomplishing MSHA's mission.NOTE : IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.EducationThere is no educational substitution in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-13 / 14 levels.Additional informationThe mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fostering a workplace and workforce that promote equal employment opportunity, reflects the diversity of the people we seek to serve, and models a culture of respect, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered.If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.Refer to these links for more information : GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEESAs a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and / or classified materials before they can enter on duty : BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONNon-Supervisory Financial Disclosure (if applicable) : This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually.MSHA JOBS ONLY (Mandatory by law) : All MSHA employees and their spouses, and minor children are prohibited by regulation from having any interest, direct or indirect, in any mine or mining company that may be directly affected by the work of MSHA through its investigations, technical research, or other activities. These interests are prohibited under the Department of Labor's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct Regulations at 5 CFR 5201.105. Certain MSHA employees are required to file a financial disclosure report. For questions, please contact Ronnette Williams at williams.ronnette@dol.gov or 202-693-3739.Click here for Telework Position InformationBased on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note : The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment.All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. Help 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies : Interpersonal SkillsMine Safety and HealthOral CommunicationProblem SolvingWritten CommunicationClick here for Evaluation details.You may preview questions for this vacancy here : The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, volunteer, and other lived experience, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.INFORMATION FOR ICTAP / CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY : If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP / CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP / CTAP eligible(s) will be considered well-qualified if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.