Industrial Hygienist

Description:

The position serves as an Industrial Hygienist within the VA Portland Health Care System at the Vancouver, WA Location. The Industrial Hygienist performs various duties in an Industrial Hygiene program to access work practices and environmental conditions for hazards to the health and safety of workers.

A Recruitment \ Relocation Incentive: May be authorized to highly qualified candidate.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet Driver's License Requirement, Basic Requirements and Specialized Experience within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 01/05/2026

Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.

Basic Requirements: You must meet one of the following basic requirements below to be eligible for the GS-0690, Industrial Hygiene job series. The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Applicants must meet one of the following Basic Requirements:

• A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health sciences, occupational and environmental health, toxicology, safety sciences, or related science; ~OR~
• A bachelor's degree in a branch of engineering, physical science, or life science that included 12 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry, and 18 additional semester hours of courses in any combination of chemistry, physics, engineering, health physics, environmental health, biostatistics, biology, physiology, toxicology, epidemiology, or industrial hygiene; ~OR~
• Certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). Note: You must submit a copy of your certification with your application. Certification cannot be credited without documentation.

Please note:

• Courses in the history or teaching of chemistry are not acceptable.
• For engineering degrees to be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) as a professional engineering curriculum.

In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also meet one of the grade specific requirements listed below: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-09 :

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Industrial Hygienist. Specialized experience involves the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls. Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment.
  • Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Experience working as an Industrial Hygienist in a clinical setting such as a hospital or medical facility; experience in planning, development, implementation and/or oversight of industrial hygiene programs, determining compliance with various established criteria, evaluating exposures and advising on control measures and changes in work procedures or schedules to comply with established health requirements. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. Please see Education section for requirements; OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Please see Education section for requirements.

GS-11 :

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Industrial Hygienist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience involves the recognition, evaluation, corrective actions, and elimination of environmental conditions in the workplace that causes sickness, impaired health, or illness. This experience must demonstrate a professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of industrial hygiene and closely related sciences such as physics and engineering controls. Such work must have involved experience in all of the following areas: the acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data, and the measurement of exposures for a variety of chemical, physical, and biological stresses; the analysis of the data acquired and the prediction of probable effects of exposures on the health and well-being of workers; and the selection and recommendation of appropriate controls, including management, medical, engineering, education or training, and personal protective equipment.
  • Examples of Specialized Experience includes but is not limited to: Plans, organizes, implements, oversees and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve industrial hygiene related problems; Develops and implements facility regulations, policies, guidelines, and programs related to the Industrial Hygiene programs; Evaluates hazardous materials in the workplace to determine appropriate controls and personal protective equipment that are needed to mitigate exposures; Develops a comprehensive industrial hygiene program consisting of environmental monitoring, record keeping, medical surveillance, personal protective equipment, respiratory fir testing, hazardous material management, asbestos control and education and training; Presents specific conclusions and recommendations to appropriate management and health officials. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. Please see Education section for requirements; OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Please see Education section for requirements.

Preferred Experience: Three years as an Industrial Hygienist with experience in Asbestos testing, ergonomics and fit testing.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.