Industrial Hygienist

The Industrial Hygienist at the Minneapolis VA performs a variety of functions related to the identification, evaluation, and control of occupational health hazards and to the promotion of healthful and safe working conditions. Industrial hygiene is concerned with the recognition, evaluation, and control of those workplace environmental conditions or stresses arising in or from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health, significant discomfort, or inefficiency. Major duties include: Serve as Hazardous Materials Officer and responsible for initiation, development, administration, coordination and auditing of the Hazardous Materials Program. Apply appropriate sampling techniques and procedures and may oversee the work of contractors engaged to perform specific monitoring. Respond to any requests, directives, reports and/or inspections conducted by regulating/governing agencies. Maintain contact with external stakeholders (e.g. Federal Agencies, Community Partners, Standards organizations). Provide education programs designed to inform management, supervisors and employees of potential hazardous exposures, applicable directives and fire safety. Coordinate response to internal and external Safety/Industrial Hygiene audits, surveys, inspections and ensure corrective actions, plans, and preventive measures are initiated. Where hazardous exposures are discovered, the incumbent devises or works with engineers to develop control measures, such as changes in work procedures, systems, materials or the use of personal protective equipment. Ensure that written policies and procedures are developed, implemented and maintained for program related processes. Coordinate/audit the effort of staff involved with the Industrial Hygiene program to ensure that it is developed and implemented in accordance with OSHA, ANSI standards, NFPA, OIG, Joint Commission and all internal policies and directives. Maintain industrial hygiene sampling equipment including selection, calibration, servicing and repair. Conduct internal gap analysis of Industrial Hygiene programs. Issue reports of gap analysis and track status of corrective and preventive actions. Conduct surveys of working conditions to determine the nature and magnitude of hazardous exposures and the effectiveness of existing control measures. Serve as the technical authority who ensures compliance with all safety and OSHA requirements by employees and contractors while on VA grounds/facilities, they would have the authority to take immediate action when any situation develops which is deemed a hazard to workers, employees, patients or property. Monitor contracts and scheduled work for chemical fume hoods, Biological Cabinets and IH sampling as necessary. Manage the reports and documents from inspections and interpret findings for determining required repairs, abatement and follow-up. Performs other duties as necessary. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad Hoc telework only, per agency policy. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Industrial Hygienist/PD23557A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.