Job Information

Mine Safety and Health Administration Supervisory Mine Safety and Health Specialist in Morgantown, West Virginia

Summary This position is located with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The Supervisory Mine Safety and Health Specialist (Ventilation) is responsible for the administration of the district's ventilation program and for supervision and direction of specialists, technical and administrative support employees engaged in the work of the ventilation program. This position is outside the bargaining unit. Responsibilities Performs personnel administration/management duties. Provides advice, counsel, and instruction to staff on technical and administrative matters. Plans, directs, and reviews the work of subordinate specialists and other technical and support personnel in the work group. Coaches, mentors, and assists employees in the performance of work, with consideration of the difficulty of assignments and capabilities of employees. Distributes work assignments to ensure that workloads are balanced, and that work is performed at prescribed intervals. Determines developmental training needs and promotes career development; assists employees in developing skills and knowledge to fully utilize individual talents. Evaluates performance of assigned employees. Observes work rules and regulations, employee relation matters and codes of conduct. Ensures that employees are kept informed of matters affecting employment. Ensures equal employment opportunities are afforded to all employees in the selection of employees for training, promotions, awards and recognition, and other career development opportunities. Ensures fair and unprejudiced employment practices in the selection of candidates for positions. Actively supports the Agency's Equal Opportunity Program in day-to-day activities. Abides by the terms of local bargaining unit agreements, wherever such local agreements exist. Promotes safety practices on-the-job. Identifies and corrects job safety and health hazards, instructing employees on safety requirements, reviewing and reporting accidents and incidents; and directing the periodic inspection of work locations. Plans, directs, and coordinates the major facets of the ventilation program activities within the assigned district. Reviews plans submitted to the district by mine operators to ensure compliance with proper ventilation standards and recommends approval, revisions or disapprove of such plans to the Assistant District Manager and District Manager. Conducts mine ventilation surveys and investigations to ascertain actual conditions and systems prior to recommending approval or disapproval of plans. Advises and assists industry, union, and district officials on ventilation matters. Recommends methods and techniques for safety improvements in mines. Interprets and prepares standards for the implementation and application of ventilation systems. Investigates ventilation and related problems and advises industry, union, and MSHA officials on solutions. Directs the conduct of studies in ventilation areas to improve safety. Directs the testing of new devices and materials at selected mines. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications The Mine Safety and Health Inspection Series, GS-1822, has basic requirements for positions covered by this standard. Applicants must meet both the basic requirements (Individual Occupational Requirements) and specialized experience for the specific grade level to qualify. To qualify for this position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience and/or education 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 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 Requirement: For the GS-13 grade level: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must include four of the following: Conduct on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities;· Investigate explosions, fires, or other mine accidents which could have resulted from poorly ventilated practices that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard to define problems to resolves;· Assist with fatal and/or non-fatal accident investigations;· Conduct formal classroom and/or on-the-job training with respect to ventilation related matters pertinent to mining entities;· Identify and determine the cause(s) of mining hazards, accidents, violations and/or safety and health problems. Medical Requirements Applicants and employees must be physically able to perform arduous duties efficiently and without hazard to themselves or others. Medical examination is required for all applicants for positions that involve regular or intermittent performance of inspection, investigation, rescue duties, or duties involving on-site visits. Medical conditions that constitute a hazard to safe and efficient job performance are disqualifying. The presence of medical disorders that would be aggravated by the environmental conditions of these positions and thereby hinder safe and efficient job performance are also disqualifying. Remediable defects and/or curable diseases will not permanently disqualify an applicant for appointment, but may result in the applicant's suspension from the appropriate list of eligibles pending submission of medical evidence or correction of the condition. Uncorrected distant vision must test at least 20/50 Snellen in one eye and 20/70 in the other, correctable with eyeglasses (contact lenses are not acceptable) to at least 20/30 Snellen in one eye and 20/50 in the other. Near vision must be sufficient to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters Normal depth perception and field of vision are required, as is the ability to distinguish basic colors. Applicants, with or without the use of a hearing aid, must have no hearing loss in either ear of more than 40 decibels in the 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz ranges. Education There is no educational substitution in lieu of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level. Additional Information The 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. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As 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 INVESTIGATION 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. 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. Click here for Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy. Current DOL policy requires on-site work at least 5 days per pay period. Based 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 the 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. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTINUED IN THE REQUIED DOCUMENTS SECTION *