Facility Health and Safety Officer (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory
Immigration and Customs EnforcementSummary
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 AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Secures and maintains all files and information concerning all programs of responsibility in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and regulations.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provides policy, records, or other documentation concerning all programs of responsibility as required by investigators.
- May be asked to serve as an acting FHPM when needed.
- Travel required up to 25% as directed by the chief of Health Operations Unit.
- Educates medical staff, custody staff, and noncitizens on IC topics especially during outbreaks and conducts hand washing monitoring.
- Develops facility outbreak plans (i.e. COVID, mumps, varicella, etc.) in coordination with IPO and FHPM.
- Notifies stakeholders of facility status related to communicable diseases as appropriate (i.e. red vs green COVID status, varicella status, etc.).
- Manages Abbott analyzers and any IC related devices ensuring associated supplies are available.
- Leads IC portion of accreditation, excluding TB and ID programs.
- Serves as federal fit tester conducting fit testing for federal staff. Ensures all staff meets annual fit testing requirement.
- Serves as CPR Instructor. Conducts BLS certification for all federal staff and provides CPR card upon completion.
- 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.
- Serves as subject matter expert for U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to include workforce injury reporting.
- Monitors PPE inventory to establish par levels and completes reporting requirements.
- Monitors biohazard program (i.e. monitoring red bags, ensuring collection of biohazard materials, etc.).
- Manages dosimetry management program (i.e. track and exchange dosimetry badges, sign and store exposure documents, etc.).
- Maintains medical and dental safety data sheets (SDS) binder.
- Performs and maintains health and safety assessments (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually).
- 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.
- Serves as emergency preparedness subject matter expert conducting, implementing, educating, and tracking man down, fire, and mass casualty drills.
- Facilitates and documents after action reviews (AARs) post emergency preparedness drills or actual events.
- Other duties as assigned.
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:
- This position is considered hazardous duty in a detention setting.
- Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
- Required to jog/fast walk up to ΒΌ mile.
- Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
- Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
- 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).
- Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
- Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
- Must perform the duties of the job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Minimum of a master's degree in a qualifying program for USPHS Commissioned Corps officers.
- Minimum of five years of relevant and related experience(s) to include project/program management, environmental health, infection control, emergency preparedness/management.
- 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.
- Ability to critically analyze situations, data and information and be able to develop and pose probing questions.
- 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.
- Ability to interact well and collaborate with all levels of personnel and management in IHSC, ERO, ICE and DHS offices, and with Federal contractors.
- Proficiency with electronic health records and ability to quickly develop competency with IHSC's electronic health record.
- 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.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and SharePoint; ability to manage, organize, and analyze complex information using spreadsheets and other data management tools.
- Demonstrates high level, professional, effective written and verbal communications; executes effective teaching skills ensuring goal directed outcomes; ability to prepare reports in electronic formats.
- Maintains basic readiness status.
- Maintains current CPR/BLS certification
Additional information
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.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.