Facility Health and Safety Officer (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate. Civilians are not eligible for this position.

Overview

Telework eligibleNoRemote jobNoRelocation expenses reimbursed Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $1 - $150,000 per year

Please note that the salary is dependent on the officer's rank, years in service, and location of duty station.

Pay scale & grade CC 5 Promotion potential None Work scheduleFull-timeTravel Required25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.Appointment typePermanentSupervisory statusNoFederal service typeThis job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a unionNoDrug testNoSecurity clearanceOtherPosition sensitivity and riskCritical-Sensitive (CS)/High RiskFinancial disclosure requiredNoAnnouncement numberIHSC-HOU-FHS-EAZ-O5-NS-2027Control number887241700

Occupations and job series

• 0340 Program Management

Background check type

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Summary

Responsible for managing infection control, occupational health, environmental health and safety, emergency preparedness, and compliance programs. Supports accreditation readiness, conducts staff training, fit testing and BLS certification, tracks safety assessments, PPE, biohazards, drills, and reporting to ensure safe, quality care in detention health settings

This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

Duties

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works collaboratively with the health services administrator and assistant health services administrator as the subject matter expert and key advisor in the day-to-day management, development, implementation and monitoring of the following IHSC programs of responsibility: infection control; occupational health; environmental health, safety and security; and all hazards emergency preparedness and response.
2. Serves as a key member of IHSC National PHSP program initiatives, excluding tuberculosis (TB) and infection disease (ID) programs, not limited to attending regional/national meetings.
3. Monitors, reviews, coordinates, and ensures complete and timely reporting of infection control; occupational health; environmental health, safety and security; and all hazards emergency preparedness and response activities. Conducts data/trend analysis and implement improvement strategies establishing timeframes for continued monitoring concerning all programs of responsibility.
4. Secures and maintains all files and information concerning all programs of responsibility in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and regulations.
5. Develops and maintains infection control; occupational health; environmental health, safety and security; and all hazards emergency preparedness and response local operating procedures as applicable and in coordination with FHPM, FTO, and IPO. Forwards revisions and updates to HSA for approval.
6. Ensures areas of responsibility to include infection control; occupational health; environmental health, safety and security; and all hazards emergency preparedness and response standards, including updates on national and local policies and procedures, are disseminated appropriately to staff in a timely manner.
7. Provides leadership, oversight, staff training and education on infection control; occupational health; environmental health, safety and security; and all hazards emergency preparedness and response in coordination with FHPM, FTO, and IPO.
8. Provides policy, records, or other documentation concerning all programs of responsibility as required by investigators.
9. May be asked to serve as an acting FHPM when needed.
10. Travel required up to 25% as directed by the chief of Health Operations Unit.
11. Educates medical staff, custody staff, and noncitizens on IC topics especially during outbreaks and conducts hand washing monitoring.
12. Develops facility outbreak plans (i.e. COVID, mumps, varicella, etc.) in coordination with IPO and FHPM.
13. Notifies stakeholders of facility status related to communicable diseases as appropriate (i.e. red vs green COVID status, varicella status, etc.).
14. Manages Abbott analyzers and any IC related devices ensuring associated supplies are available.
15. Leads IC portion of accreditation, excluding TB and ID programs.
16. Serves as federal fit tester conducting fit testing for federal staff. Ensures all staff meets annual fit testing requirement.
17. Serves as CPR Instructor. Conducts BLS certification for all federal staff and provides CPR card upon completion.
18. Implements and tracks blood borne pathogens (BBP) policy (i.e. check sharps, update training materials, schedule SteriCycle/OSHA for teaching, etc.) in coordination with FHPM and FTO as applicable.
19. Serves as subject matter expert for U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to include workforce injury reporting.
20. Monitors PPE inventory to establish par levels and completes reporting requirements.
21. Monitors biohazard program (i.e. monitoring red bags, ensuring collection of biohazard materials, etc.).
22. Manages dosimetry management program (i.e. track and exchange dosimetry badges, sign and store exposure documents, etc.).
23. Maintains medical and dental safety data sheets (SDS) binder.
24. Performs and maintains health and safety assessments (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually).
25. Develops a process to address facility hazards identified during daily health and safety assessments and/or by staff to ensure repairs are completed and a safe environment maintained.
26. Serves as emergency preparedness subject matter expert conducting, implementing, educating, and tracking man down, fire, and mass casualty drills.
27. Facilitates and documents after action reviews (AARs) post emergency preparedness drills or actual events.
28. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
• ASSIGNMENT PAY AGREEMENT: You must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement. However, if you have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of your application submission.
• Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate. Civilians are not eligible for this position.
• Applicants without a USPHS commission must begin the USPHS Commissioned Corps application process before applying to this position. Applicants must review the USPHS application requirements and submit an application at www.usphs.gov/apply-now/.
• Continued employment is contingent upon appointment to, and maintenance of, active-duty status in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.
• PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS.) ITOS is either an entire month or two 16-day periods a year where, depending on the needs of the agency, the officer is required to be available to serve.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. This position is considered hazardous duty in a detention setting.
2. Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
3. Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
4. Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
5. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
6. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detained noncitizens or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
7. Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
8. Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
9. Must perform the duties of the job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Minimum of a master's degree in a qualifying program for USPHS Commissioned Corps officers.
2. Minimum of five years of relevant and related experience(s) to include project/program management, environmental health, infection control, emergency preparedness/management.
3. If the incumbent holds a clinical license, it is the responsibility of the incumbent to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain current active status. This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within the agency.
4. Ability to critically analyze situations, data and information and be able to develop and pose probing questions.
5. Strong project management, quality management, and performance improvement skills to include the ability to plan and prioritize workload, conduct surveillance, employ research techniques, collect, and analyze data, and perform program reviews and evaluations.
6. Ability to interact well and collaborate with all levels of personnel and management in IHSC, ERO, ICE and DHS offices, and with Federal contractors.
7. Proficiency with electronic health records and ability to quickly develop competency with IHSC's electronic health record.
8. Demonstrates the ability to quickly develop competency in and assimilate knowledge of ICE and IHSC rules, regulations, and policies; applicable detention health care standards NDS/PBNDS, NCCHC, ACA, FRS (if applicable to the facility), OSHA regulations, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Codes; and the accreditation/compliance review and auditing processes.
9. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and SharePoint; ability to manage, organize, and analyze complex information using spreadsheets and other data management tools.
10. Demonstrates high level, professional, effective written and verbal communications; executes effective teaching skills ensuring goal directed outcomes; ability to prepare reports in electronic formats.
11. Maintains basic readiness status.
12. Maintains current CPR/BLS certification

Additional information

This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE Health Service Corps, Office of the Deputy Assistant Director of Health Systems Support, Health Operations Unit. The facility health and safety officer will report directly to the assistant health services administrator with the health services administrator as reviewing official. Incumbent serves as the facility health and safety officer for one of the ICE Health Service Corpsstaffed facilities located across the nation. Staffing is a complement of Public Health Services Officers, federal General Schedule civil servants, and contract health professionals.

As the facility health and safety officer (FHSO), the incumbent is responsible to support the assistant health services administrator (AHSA) in the day to day managing, assessing, planning, developing, and evaluating clinical programs that align with IHSC policy, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), ICE Performance Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS), American Correctional Association (ACA), and/or Family Residential Standards (FRS). Serves as the subject matter expert on the implementation and monitoring of program requirements at the local level in coordination with the facility healthcare program manager (FHPM), facility training officer (FTO), and infection prevention officer (IPO), supporting the safe, quality provision of care for the detained population; promoting an environment of safety and security for detained noncitizens, employees, and visitors; and ensuring emergency preparedness and response readiness of the local facility healthcare team.

IHSC provides direct care to more than 131,000 detained noncitizens housed at 17 designated facilities throughout the nation. The health care provided includes medical, dental, and mental health care, and public health services. IHSC provides medical case management and oversight for more than 191,000 detained noncitizens housed in 128 non-IHSC staffed detention facilities across the country. In addition, IHSC oversees the financial authorization and payment for off-site specialty and emergency care services for detained noncitizens in ICE custody. The ICE detained population is more than 275,000 noncitizens with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days. IHSC provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Incumbent reports to the assistant health services administrator keeping the supervisor informed on the status of projects, and consulting on successes and obstacles. Reviewing official (second line supervisor) is the health services administrator. Performs specialized or complex professional tasks without the benefit of close supervision or detailed guidelines; independently establishes criteria, formulates approaches, and evaluates efforts. Uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as policies, regulations, accreditation standards, precedents, and work direction for application to specific situations and work products. Assignments are usually of a long-term, recurring or broadly defined nature and are not accompanied by instructions; however, objectives, priorities and deadlines are provided on new assignments. The incumbent selects his/her own methods and solves most normal problems arising during the course of work.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes:

U. S. Public Health Service Officers

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
3. Professional license. (If applicable)
4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
5. Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
6. Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
   • You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience.
7. A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
8. *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
9. For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
10. Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.

New Call to Active Duty

1. Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
3. Professional license. (If applicable)
4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
5. Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
6. CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
7. U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email or a screenshot of AES dashboard to the United States Public Health Service

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

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To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.

The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2027.

PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

Agency contact information

IHSC Recruiting Email IHSCrecruiting@ice.dhs.gov Address ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.