Industrial Hygienist (Gems)

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Boise, Idaho, United States

Summary This position is in Facility Management Service, Boise VA Medical Center (VAMC), Boise, Idah and provides support to the Medical Center as the authority in environmental management, serving as the technical and environmental program management expert. This position assumes responsibility for all environmental management programs, including those activities designed to assure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Responsibilities Program Development, Management and Review: 40% Responsibilities of the incumbent related to management of VAMC Boise environmental programs are: Develops and implements environmental policies, procedures, and systems; establishing standards, promoting improvements, evaluating compliance, and providing expert technical advice to senior management. Conducts thorough research and assessments, interprets statistical data, writes reports and monitors control measures to assure compliance with Federal, State and local regulations and standards. Evaluates, modifies, and implements pollution prevention alternatives at the facility to reduce the generation of waste. Develops curriculum for courses of instruction, provides training and facilitates the exchange of environmental information to facility staff across all disciplines. Develops and presents to upper level management budgetary information related to environmental programs. Manages computer programs and databases to enhance management of environmental programs. Reviews how expansion, modifications, closures of existing facilities and infrastructure, and new construction of structures and infrastructure will affect the environment and cultural resources. Measures the effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommends additions to environmental programs as needed, to meet changing environmental requirements. Technical: 30% Keeps up-to-date on the latest developments in the field of environmental management systems by review of technical publications, attending technical conferences or professional society meetings, and discussion with industry representative and regulators. Applies environmental management systems knowledge to the development of databases effective in generating accurate and beneficial reports. Completes waste determinations ensuring waste is characterized and disposed of by methods that are economical, efficient, cause minimal negative environmental impact, and in compliance with environmental regulations. Resolves difficult and complex technical, project management, and organizational problems using innovative and original approaches. Provides expert technical advice and guidance to senior management officials in the appropriate application of technology to VHA's mission as it relates to environmental issues. Manages and/or provides technical advice regarding response to environmental emergencies including releases/spills of hazardous material and wastes generated from environmental emergencies. Provides guidance to the overall planning requirements and problems encountered in the operations and maintenance of facility programs. Provides support to the Safety Department. Administration/Training: 30% Maintains tracking records of inspection/audit findings and corrective action status. Manages and reviews environmental recordkeeping as required by VHA Directives; Medical Center Memorandums; and federal, state, and local requirements. e.g. inspection reports, hazardous waste inventories, manifests, reports of contact, contractor invoices, waste and recycling tracking records, training records, internal and external communications, etc. Writes and updates facility policies to assure compliance with applicable regulations, directives, and standards. Manages training programs to ensure all training required for environmental compliance is adequate and complete. Designs, prepares, and conducts employee training. Training programs are designed to inform management, supervisors, and employees of potential negative impacts to the environment, applicable directives, and compliance with regulatory standards and operational controls needed to reduce negative environmental impacts. Assists facility managers in the development and review of environmental training requirements. Participates in training sessions for facility personnel. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Industrial Hygienist (GEMS)/PD605100 Physical Requirements: Office as well as field work required. On a daily and recurring basis employee is required to travel to the medical center grounds and building for inspections, deliver waste and recycling containers, and pick up waste for disposal. Personal protective equipment is worn when working with hazardous waste. Occasionally travel is required to inspect Community Based Outpatient Clinics, leased spaces, and to attend training conferences. The work involves walking, standing, bending, climbing, and occasional crawling during surveys and lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 01/22/2024. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license. Basic Requirement: The Industrial Hygiene Series 0690 requires specific education or certification in order to be appointed into this position. All applicants must meet one of the following requirements in addition to the grade specific 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. Note: Transcripts required; 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. Note: Transcripts required; or Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable. Minimum Qualifications, GS-11: In addition to the Basic Requirement, applicants must also meet one of the following in order to qualify for the GS-11 grade level. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service); 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. Your experience must show the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls. Such work must have involved experience in all of the f