AddressSummary The Supervisory Safety Engineer (SSE) ensures a safe, reliable, and precisely controlled operating environment for direct patient care through management of a safety program to build and renovate hospital and support environments. The SSE has primary responsibility for operating and maintaining the New York Harbor (NYH) Occupational Safety Management System (SMS) including all NYH campuses. Responsibilities The Supervisory Safety Engineer is a key manager and is relied on for authoritative advice on all aspects of safety. The incumbent is responsible for developing and maintaining all elements of the NYH Occupational Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with VHA Directive 7703. This SSE is responsible for the overall planning, organizing, directing, evaluating, and management of the NYH Safety Management System (SMS), which includes setting qualitative and quantitative standards. This position provides professional and technical guidance, direction and review of assigned programs. Responsible for accurate recordkeeping and oversight of the NYH occupational injury and illness program, including reporting under the Federal Employees' Compensation Operations & Management Portal (ECOMP). Works with other members of the Accident Review Board to evaluate, track and trend workplace injuries. Performs root cause analysis in order to identify sources of repeat or chronic injuries. Reports trends to Executive Senior Management and implements remedies designed to reduce injury rates. Manages the facility-wide NYH safety training program, including training on fire safety, lock-out tag out (LOTO), fall prevention, ladder safety, electrical safety, industrial trucks and other critical topics. Utilizes both the online VHA training system as well as in-person instruction as appropriate. Regularly reviews and updates training needs, based on emerging regulations and identified deficiencies. Establishes program goals and benchmarks and implements actions to improve safety management program performance. Continuously reviews and improves the safety program through internal audits and other mechanisms, focusing on compliance with OSHA, the Joint Commission standards, the Life Safety Code and the National Fire Codes produced by the NFPA to assure compliance throughout the healthcare system. Directly supervises three (3) Safety Specialists assigned to various NYH campuses. Manages human resource functions of the Safety Specialists, such as hiring, performance, training and development. Ensures that internal personnel-related programs are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner; communicates agency and local policies and priorities to all employees within the Safety section; delegates to subordinates the authority and responsibility to carry out assigned tasks; follows progress of each and recommends improvement to be made where warranted; ensures labor/management relations are maintained in accordance with Medical Center policy and procedures; and that other requirements such as effective use of performance standards, EEO policies, and other personnel related rules and regulations are effectively enforced. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Healthcare Engineer: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-General-Engineer-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases . When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be from a school with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Engineering Accreditation Commission (excludes engineering technology) or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering and architectural degrees include, but are not limited to: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time; OR Evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam with a bachelor's degree. Evidence can be in the form of an Engineering in Training certificate issued from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico, or test results from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) identifying a passing score; OR Evidence of current professional registration or licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect from any State, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico. English Language Proficiency May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-13 Requirements Experience One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) - In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: a) Knowledge of data analysis techniques related to managing workload, quality, performance and productivity within the area of responsibility. b) Knowledge related to the management of overall department resources, (i.e., finances space, equipment, supplies, schedules and staffing) at the local level. c) Knowledge of the full range of supervisory duties, which include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, training and development, recommendation of awards, advancements and disciplinary actions. d) Skill in using effective communication in managing interpersonal relationships, leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, labor representatives and managers. e) Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions that result in efficient operations. f) Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives related to healthcare engineering management. g) Ability to recognize and assess evolving scenarios, utilizing initiative, self-direction and assigned resources to affect resolutions. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of office spaces as well as healthcare clinical areas. The incumbent may occasionally be required to work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in areas such as roofs, mechanical spaces, boiler rooms, utility tunnels, laundry plants, electrical vaults and hazardous materials storage locations. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving/traveling by motor vehicle. These activities may be performed during routine, periodic construction oversight activities and/or to observe work operations in clinical, mechanical or other areas of the hospitals. Work may also include occasional lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds, such as equipment and samples. Education IMPORTANT: 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
