Become a Leader in Safety and Occupational Health at the Defense Health Agency
Are you a dedicated safety professional with a passion for high-stakes biomedical research? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research & Development (R&D) Activity is currently hiring a Safety and Occupational Health Manager at Fort Detrick, Maryland. This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven team dedicated to protecting the workforce that develops life-saving medical materiel for our service members.
Core Responsibilities
As the Safety and Occupational Health Manager, you will wear many hats. Your primary objective is to lead a comprehensive safety program that meets federal, state, and local regulations. Key duties include:
- Biosafety Oversight: Serving as the lead for all activities involving infectious agents, toxins, and biological materials.
- Risk Management: Acting as deputy to the Director of the Risk Management Office, overseeing personnel and operations.
- Inspections & Compliance: Conducting thorough site visits and inspections of biomedical laboratories to ensure safety protocols are strictly followed.
- Incident Investigation: Performing detailed root cause analyses to prevent future safety issues and implementing robust corrective actions.
Key Qualifications
To succeed in this role, you must bring a mix of technical expertise and strategic leadership. Candidates must demonstrate:
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-12/DJ-03 level.
- Hands-on experience in biomedical research safety environments.
- Strong ability to communicate risk concepts to stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience in managing chemical and biological agent safety programs.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Grade | DJ-04 (Equivalent to GS-13/14) |
| Location | Fort Detrick, MD |
| Salary Range | $121,785 – $187,093 per year |
| Clearance | Secret |
Salary and Benefits
This position offers a competitive salary within the DJ-04 payband, which accounts for locality pay. Beyond the financial compensation, the DHA provides a comprehensive federal benefits package, including robust health insurance, retirement planning via the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Employees also benefit from federal leave policies and professional development opportunities within the Department of Defense.
Application Tips for Success
Because this is a competitive role, your application must be precise:
- Keep it Brief: Your resume must be two pages or less. Do not exceed this limit.
- Be Specific: Explicitly state your experience regarding risk mitigation, safety compliance, and laboratory inspection.
- Use Plain Language: Avoid complex acronyms that may confuse reviewers. Focus on describing your impact.
- Proofread: Ensure all dates and hours of work are clearly labeled for every job entry.
If you are a motivated professional ready to take the next step in your career within a critical national security sector, we encourage you to apply. The work you do at the Defense Health Agency directly affects the lives of millions. Ensure your application is submitted before the closing date to be considered for this high-impact position.
Why This Safety And Occupational Health Manager Job Matters
Advance your career in safety leadership by spearheading critical occupational health and biosafety initiatives for the Defense Health Agency’s research mission.
Safety And Occupational Health Manager Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is seeking a dedicated Safety and Occupational Health Manager to join the R&D Activity at Fort Detrick, Maryland. In this pivotal role, you will oversee comprehensive safety programs, serve as the designated Biosafety Manager, and act as a senior technical authority for laboratory compliance. You will provide strategic oversight in risk management, protecting the workforce and ensuring the integrity of biomedical research operations that support our nation's military readiness.
Requirements for Safety And Occupational Health Manager
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12/DJ-03 level.
- Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating safety/environmental risks in biomedical R&D labs.
- Proven track record in designing and managing comprehensive Safety and Occupational Health programs.
- Experience conducting compliance inspections in biomedical facilities.
- Strong communication skills for conveying complex safety concepts to leadership and technical staff.
- Ability to submit a Public or Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278/450).
- Must pass a two-year probationary period.
- Resume must be two pages or less.
Preferred Qualifications for Safety And Occupational Health Manager
- Expertise in managing safety programs for chemical, biological, and infectious agents.
- Proficiency in performing root cause analysis and incident investigation.
- Background in serving as a Deputy or Lead within a Risk Management office.
- Experience navigating both federal and local regulatory compliance frameworks.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay adjustments.
- ✓Participation in the Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP).
- ✓Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- ✓Federal retirement benefits including FERS and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
- ✓Paid federal holidays and generous leave accrual.
- ✓Telework eligibility as per agency policy.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the DoD.
💡 How to Apply Safety And Occupational Health Manager Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Safety And Occupational Health Manager Job
- Create or update your profile on USAJOBS.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, highlighting specialized experience.
- Complete the online assessment questionnaire via the USA Staffing portal.
- Submit your resume, optional cover letter, and recent performance appraisal.
- Monitor your application status on your USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Ensure your resume includes dates (month/year) and hours worked per week for every position.
- Use plain, clear language and avoid internal jargon.
- Double-check that all uploaded documents have cleared the virus scan before the closing date.
- Apply well before the deadline to account for system processing times.
- Be sure to re-select documents from your USAJOBS storage when applying to ensure they are attached to this specific submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP)?
It is an alternative personnel system used by the DHA R&D Activity that focuses on pay-for-performance, allowing for more flexible compensation management compared to the traditional General Schedule (GS).
Can I substitute education for the required experience?
No, for this specific position, you must meet the qualification requirements through professional experience alone.
What if my resume exceeds two pages?
Resumes exceeding the two-page limit will be automatically removed from consideration, so please adhere strictly to the length requirement.
Job from Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency is a premier healthcare system serving more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. As part of the R&D Activity, you will be embedded in a culture of excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to readiness. Your work will directly support the development of medical technologies that ensure our forces remain safe and capable in any theater of operation.