Become a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist at the VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a motivated and skilled Safety & Occupational Health Specialist to join the team at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida. This role is vital to our mission, ensuring the safety of those who have served our nation. If you are passionate about occupational health, industrial hygiene, and fire safety, this is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact in one of the country's busiest healthcare systems.

Job Responsibilities

As a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist, your duties will include:

Accident Investigation: Lead investigations into incidents involving employees, patients, and visitors, and recommend corrective actions.
Compliance Monitoring: Ensure the facility meets current Occupational Safety, Health, and Fire Protection standards.
Training Development: Create and deliver safety and industrial hygiene training programs for staff.
Inspection: Conduct site-wide inspections, including construction areas and outside facilities like community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs).
Contract Administration: Serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), managing budgets and performance records.

Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must meet the following baseline requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Meet the 52-week Time-in-Grade requirement at the GS-09 level (for current federal employees).
Ability to pass a background/security investigation.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Comparison Table: Qualifications

Requirement Category	Description
Education	Bachelor's or higher in Safety/Health/Engineering or 24 credits in relevant fields.
Experience	1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09.
Skills	Proficiency in hazard control, inspection, and safety documentation.
Physical	Role requires regular walking, crouching, and standing.

Salary Overview

The salary range for this position is $74,678 to $97,087 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

The VA offers a robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health insurance, federal retirement programs, paid leave, and career development support.

Application Tips

Format Matters: Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or less.
Documentation: Include all required SF-50 forms and transcripts.
Keywords: Align your experience description with the specific competencies mentioned in the announcement.

Serving our nation's Veterans is an honorable and rewarding career path. If you possess the expertise to maintain a safe, secure, and compliant healthcare environment, we encourage you to apply and join our team in Bay Pines today.

Why This Safety & Occupational Health Specialist Job Matters

Protect those who served by ensuring a safe, hazard-free environment at the prestigious C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in beautiful Bay Pines, Florida.

Safety & Occupational Health Specialist Job Overview

Join the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist (GS-11) at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. You will play a critical role in developing and implementing safety programs, industrial hygiene, fire protection, and accident prevention strategies. Based on the Gulf of Mexico, this position offers the chance to contribute to the nation's fifth-busiest VA healthcare system, providing essential safety oversight for facilities, staff, and our honored Veterans.

Requirements for Safety & Occupational Health Specialist

U.S. Citizenship
Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
Must complete a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period
Ability to undergo background and security investigations
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
Must meet Time-in-Grade requirements (52 weeks at GS-09 level)
Valid state-issued ID (REAL ID compliant by May 7, 2025)

Preferred Qualifications for Safety & Occupational Health Specialist

Degree in safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, or a closely related field including at least 24 semester hours in relevant disciplines
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing comprehensive safety and occupational health programs
Proven ability to conduct technical investigations and accident reports
Proficiency in performing industrial hygiene and fire protection inspections
Experience managing contracts as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal health, dental, and vision insurance
✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
✓Thrift Savings Plan (401k-style investment)
✓Generous paid annual and sick leave accrual
✓Paid federal holidays
✓Flexible spending accounts
✓Career advancement and professional development opportunities

💡 How to Apply Safety & Occupational Health Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Safety & Occupational Health Specialist Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Review all requirements and prepare a resume (maximum 2 pages).
Complete the online application and questionnaire.
Upload all required supporting documents, including transcripts and SF-50s.
Submit the application package before 11:59 PM ET on 10/02/2026.
Complete any required USA Hire assessments if notified via email.

💡 General Tips

Use the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure you meet all formatting requirements.
Keep your resume strictly under two pages to avoid immediate disqualification.
Use concise, results-driven language that mirrors the keywords in the job description.
Ensure your SF-50 clearly demonstrates your one-year time-in-grade eligibility.
Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position eligible for telework?

Yes, this position may be authorized for telework; eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

What documentation is required for veterans' preference?

You must provide a legible copy of your DD-214 and, if applicable, an SF-15 with supporting documentation for 10-point preference claims.

Do I need to submit transcripts?

Yes, if you are basing your qualifications on education, a transcript is required to be submitted with your application.

What is the closing date?

The position closes on 10/02/2026.

Can I submit a resume longer than two pages?

No, resumes longer than two pages will result in immediate ineligibility.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration is dedicated to fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who served. The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is a Level 1a facility located on 337 acres on the Gulf of Mexico. With nine facilities serving over 118,000 Veterans, we provide comprehensive, high-quality care in a rewarding and collaborative environment.