Environmental Health Specialist
Indian Health Service
Summary The Environmental Health Specialist will be working closely with Environmental Health (EH) staff responsible for independently planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive Environmental Health program on their assigned reservations. The Specialist performs Environmental Health Services activities in accordance with Part 3, Chapter 11, Environmental Health Services, Indian Health Service Manual and other written OEH&E guidelines. Responsibilities Conducts comprehensive environmental health surveys of all Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal facilities including schools, head starts, day care centers, gaming facilities, health care, recreational facilities, industrial operations and drug rehabilitation facilities on assigned reservations. Plans, implements and evaluates a comprehensive environmental health program on assigned reservations that emphasizes safe water, solid and hazardous waste management, food protection, occupational health and safety, vector control, community injury prevention and institutional environmental health. Builds tribal capacity to manage environmental health hazards in their community by assisting with the development of environmental health and occupational safety policies, procedures, regulations, employee training programs and public education materials. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Individual Occupational Requirements Education Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Qualifications for GS-05: I have completed a Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position or plan on completing within 9 months of application. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Minimum Qualifications for GS-07: 1 Year of graduate-level education or within 9 months of completion or superior academic achievement OR 1 Year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 Grade Level. Specialized Experience is defined as 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 work of the position to be filled. Examples include: Utilizing the environmental health references, guidelines, policies, regulations and precedents in conducting work activity and applying these resources appropriately to specific cases of problems; working with word processing, spreadsheets, database and PowerPoint presentation, statistical analysis, GIS and other software used in the environmental health field; compiling and presenting scientific & public health material to community leaders and the general public in an effective manner and planning and carrying out work activities. Minimum Qualifications for GS-09: 2 Years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or within 9 months of completion or master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 1 Year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 Grade Level. Examples include: Conducting environmental health facility surveys, special environmental health investigations, developing effective environmental health training resources and conducting environmental health/injury prevention data analysis are required elements; working knowledge of Environmental Health practices for professional registration from a recognized entity like National Environmental Health Assocation (NEHA); working with the policies and procedures of the Division of Environmental Health Services; utilizing the Environmental Health references, guidelines, policies, regulations, precedents in conducting work activity and applying these resources appropriately to specific cases or problems; and working with word processing, spreadsheets, database and PowerPoint presentation, statistical analysis, GSI and other software used in the environmental health field. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. 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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/. This position has promotion potential to the GS-09 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
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