Safety and Occupational Health Manager

JobSummary

The incumbent is responsible for planning, designing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's safety, occupational health, environmental management, industrial hygiene, and fire protection programs at SAO facilities, in the metro-Boston area, and to provide oversight of safety programs at SAO's remote facilities in Arizona, Hawaii, and Greenland in support of the Smithsonian Institution's overall safety and occupational health goals and practices.

LowGrade

12

HighGrade

12

PromotionPotential

12

OrganizationCodes

OT/SM03

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• disability
• fed-competitive
• mspouse
• peace
• vet

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

1

AgencyMarketingStatement

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) is a joint institution connecting the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Harvard College Observatory (HCO). It is lead by a single Director, Dr. Lisa Kewley, who was appointed to this role in July 2022. The SAO is a vibrant astrophysical institution at which more than 600 scientists are engaged in a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, and earth and space sciences. The SAO is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. Its multiple programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch as well as for use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriation or in the form of contracts and grants from other agencies while Institution funds are made available to SAO in the form of grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities and non-Federal contracts and grants.

TravelCode

2

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://jobs.monstergovt.com/hment/ros/rosDashboard.hms?O=1&J=54536

DetailStatusUrl

https://jobs.monstergovt.com/hment/ros/rosDashboard.hms?O=1&J=54536&S=1

MajorDuties

• Serves as the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's (SAO) technical expert in safety and occupational health, providing professional support for the planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation of SAO's safety and occupational health program. Interprets occupational safety and health standards applicable to federal agencies, construction, and other Smithsonian activities and develops or revises procedures, directives, and memoranda to ensure consistent application across SAO. Conducts research to provide accurate and current data for decision-making, policy development, and best practices. Documents and develops standard operating procedures, safe operating limits, and reporting tools for inspections, audits, investigations, and design reviews. Serves as the authority for safety oversight and training across all SAO facilities. • Prepares safety guides, instructions, and training materials addressing chemical, physical, fire, and electrical hazards. Identifies the need for new or revised guidance to improve safety practices and ensure compliance with evolving standards. • Serves as the primary point of contact for safety-related emergencies, coordinating initial response, notifying the Executive Leadership Team, and preparing required incident reports, summaries, and follow-up documentation. • Conducts Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and ergonomic assessments across offices, laboratories, maintenance shops, and telescope environments. Recommends hazard controls, ensures implementation, and determines appropriate PPE. • Oversees all safety and occupational health training, including telescope sites. Provides instructor-led and specialized training (e.g., CPR/AED/First Aid), leads required operational and personnel safety sessions, and ensures safe vehicle operation at mountain sites. • Provides leadership and oversight for safety programs at SAO-AZ, SAO-HI, and SAO-Greenland facilities. Guides local Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) managers, conducts on-site reviews, resolves deficiencies, assists with hiring and training, and ensures consistent enforcement of SAO standards. • Works with SAO personnel and contractors to ensure construction and maintenance projects meet safety and health standards with minimal impact on operations. Participates in meetings, site visits, and inspections. Oversees the planning, organization, and execution of comprehensive inspection programs across SAO's diverse work environments in compliance with OSHA, EPA, NRC, NFPA, and Smithsonian policies. Includes laboratories and telescope sites (AZ, HI, and Greenland). Oversees Smithsonian's Management Evaluation and Technical Review (METR) at all sites and ensures findings are abated and documented in Smithsonian data management systems. Investigates accidents, incidents, procedural deviations, and reports of unsafe or unhealthful conditions, including ergonomic hazards. Reports results to SAO and Smithsonian offices, recommends and implements corrective measures, and serves on Accident Review Boards for major incidents. Uploads data and abatement actions, assists with OSHA recordkeeping, ensures accurate determinations of recordability, maintains OSHA 300 logs, and prepares annual summaries of occupational injuries and illnesses in accordance with federal standards. Serves as SAO Safety Coordinator for the management of Smithsonian safety and occupational health policy within SAO facilities and as a point of contact for the Smithsonian Emergency Operations Group. Works collaboratively with the Smithsonian's Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (OSHEM). • Prepares required regulatory deliverables such as the Department of Labor Annual Report of Safety Program Activities and other Smithsonian documentation. • Plans and coordinates safety committee meetings at Cambridge facilities and oversees committees at SAO-AZ and SAO-HI. • Maintains required permits and registrations (e.g., flammable storage and gas permits, wastewater discharge, hazardous waste, and laser registrations). Administers SAO's electronic safety and occupational health management systems for injury/illness reporting, inspections, and incident investigations. Grants and modifies access, assists users, ensures compliance with 29 CFR 1904 and Smithsonian policy, and provides or coordinates training. • Recommends improvements to enhance the accuracy and management of safety and occupational health data. • Maintains orderly central files for active and archived records. • Analyzes data from inspections, investigations, and ergonomic assessments to identify trends and evaluate program performance. Recommends corrective actions for rising injury or illness rates. • Prepares analytical reports, charts, and presentations for management and safety committees.

Education

Requirements

Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Evaluations

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria: Knowledge of occupational safety and health standards, regulations, consensus guidelines, concepts, principles, and best practices and the practical application of such to the design, implementation, administration, management, and evaluation of comprehensive occupational safety and health programs, training courses, and educational materials for the diverse collection of units that support the mission of the Smithsonian Institution and that is authoritative and current. Skill developing and managing personnel and overseeing safety at a diverse portfolio of work environments. Skill in interpreting and applying safety and occupational health regulations for overall management of a safety and occupational health program sufficient to plan and execute a comprehensive inspection for a wide variety of work settings, including construction worksites, telescope facilities, laboratories, etc. Skill in applying safety and occupational health principles and practices, techniques and procedures, regulations and standards to identify and mitigate/eliminate hazards during the review of projects or as the result of a report of an unsafe/unhealthful condition, or as the result of an accident. Conducts and completes safety assessments and/or accident reports. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with diverse groups. Ability to utilize data management tools such as spreadsheets to analyze and present safety occupational trends, metrics, and reports. BASIS OF RATING: Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

HowToApply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Human Resources Department on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.

WhatToExpectNext

At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information: Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at https://www.si.edu/OHR/howtoapply. The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer. Additional information can be found on our website at (www.si.edu/oeesd).

RequiredDocuments

Your application package should include the following documents: Resume – Your resume must be no more than two pages. You may upload a resume or create one using the USAJOBS online resume builder. Ensure it includes the job title (including occupational series and grade, if Federal), relevant qualifications, employment dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary for each position. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Current and former employees MUST submit a copy of their Standard Form (SF)-50, “Notice of Personnel Action,” that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position title, series, grade, step, salary, type of service (competitive or excepted in block 34), and tenure (1 or 2 in block 24). A recent performance evaluation Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration. Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order. Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/fed/table.html

OtherInformation

Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority: Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments Hiring Authorities for Veterans People with Disabilities This position is not included in the bargaining unit. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

KeyRequirements

• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

01

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

williamsh@si.edu

AgencyContactPhone

617-495-7296

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

False

PositionSensitivitiy

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

AdjudicationType

• Credentialing