Summary This position is located with Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Enforcement Division in Barbourville, KY. This position serves as a Roof Control Specialist and authority on related issues and problems encountered in the mining industry. The incumbent is responsible for matters pertaining to specialty aspects of mining activities, conducting comprehensive safety and health investigations and inspections as required. This position is inside the bargaining unit. Responsibilities The responsibilities described are for the full performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope performed with less independence, and limited complexity. As an Authorized Representative (AR) of the U.S. Secretary of Labor, the incumbent performs the following duties to enforce the mine safety and health laws and promote safety and health in the mining industry. Investigations/Inspections: Participates in investigations involving roof falls, rib collapses, or other severe violations of safety standards that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard-to-define problems to resolve. The incumbent may serve as a roof control expert on teams investigating roof/rib fall accidents. Safety and Plan Reviews/Advisory Services: Reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations concerning the adequacy of roof control plans and requests for variance or waiver from mandatory safety standards submitted by mine operators for approval. During the review process, the incumbent may conduct on-site investigations to determine whether conditions at the mine are the same as portrayed in the plan, acquire information that may not be clear from the plan, or discusses technical problems causing the plan not to be acceptable. Prepares drawings of roof bolting, timbering, and pillar removal sequence plans. Assists in developing new or modified roof control regulations, standards, and inspection procedures. Advises mine operators and other Federal and State inspectors of new or unusual roof control systems, methods of major safety problems relating to roof control, and other significant safety issues and technological developments. Evaluates and discusses the acceptability of new mine safety and health methods and equipment with manufacturers and miner operators. Serves as a MSHA spokesperson and authority on roof control issues for the District. Promotes safety and health among mine operators and workers by directing and participating in safety and health training programs, meetings, demonstrations, mine rescue competitions and/or related activities. Testifies at judicial hearings regarding notices of violations and orders of withdrawal issues during inspections or investigations. Independently conducts a wide variety of on site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities. Prepares written reports of inspections and investigations, issuing citations and orders for violations found during examinations. 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 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 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 health/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 is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. For the GS-11 grade level: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include at least two of the following: Participates/assists in conducting a wide variety of on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities. Participates/assists in investigations involving roof falls/rib collapses or other severe violations of safety standards that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard to define problems to resolve. Assists roof control experts on teams investigating accidents involving roof/rib fall accidents/hazards or issues. For the GS-12 grade level: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal service. Specialized experience must include at least three of the following: Independently conducts a wide variety of on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities. Independently investigates roof falls/rib collapses or other severe violations of safety standards that present some of the most serious, unusual, and hard to define problems to resolve. Serves as a roof control expert on teams investigating accidents involving roof/rib fall accidents/hazards or issues. Experience with mining methods, such as design, installation, operations or maintenance of mining systems or equipment related to roof control. 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 substitution for education at the GS-11/12 grade levels. Additional Information Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. 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. For questions, please contact Tracy Sakato at sakato.tracy.k@dol.gov or 240-867-2007. 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 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. 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. Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.