Summary This position is located within the Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Enforcement and serves as the principal staff assistant to the District Manager. The incumbent participates with the District Manager in major policy and operational decisions; performs program planning and development in the District; and provides policy, technical guidance, and staff assistance to the Field Offices. This position is outside the bargaining unit. Responsibilities For GS-1822-13 Represents the District Manager at technical meetings with representatives of mining companies, unions, manufacturers, and the public, and serves on technical committees making presentations in lieu of the District Manager. Serves as the liaison to the District Manager regarding technical complaints from unions and mining company management. Acting as a representative of the District Manager on fatalities, explaining the Government's position, assisting in the technical evaluations of the injury/fatality causes, and reviewing the fatality draft reports for final approval. Drafts correspondence, speeches, etc., on a variety of technical subjects for the District Manager. Represents the District Manager offering testimony in court proceedings. Develops, recommends and participates with the District Manager in planning strategy and goals for internal and internal special emphasis programs. Conducts literature research for the District Manager in the review of various technical publications, keeping the District Manager aware and current on new and changing issues. Reviews all new technical programs proposed by Headquarters staff to evaluate their impact on existing programs and procedures within the District to insure the proposed programs will have a positive impact. Directs, monitors evaluates, and is accountable for the work of employees who are engaged in information technology and data management for the District, making adjustments in objectives, work plans, schedules and commitment of resources. 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 (IOR) and specialized experience for the specific grade level to quality. To qualify for this position, your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements as defined below. 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-13: 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 must include four of the following: Conduct on-site safety and health inspections and investigations of mines, preparation plants and related facilities; Assist with fatal and/or non-fatal accident investigations; Produce, edit and/or proofread written documents; Perform data analysis and evaluate operational mine safety and health programs; and/or Identify and determine the cause(s) of mining hazards, accidents, violations and/or safety and health problems. 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. 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-13 level. Additional Information Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have speech disabilities, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services. 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. For questions, please contact Wendy Elschide at elschide.wendy.m@dol.gov or 312-353-4995. Click here for Telework Position Information 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.