OPEN DATE: December 10, 2024
CLOSING DATE: December 21, 2024 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-0018-12
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is one of over 21 units that comprise the Smithsonian Institution (SI). SI is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Education has been at the core of SI’s mission since its founding in 1846, and today the Institution is committed to playing a role as one of the foremost education organizations in the country. NASM collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits artifacts, archival materials, and works of art related to the history, culture, and science of aviation and spaceflight and the study of the universe.
This position reports to the Safety and Occupational Health Manager. The Specialist is responsible for supporting the development, planning, organization, administration, and evaluation of the safety and occupational health program for the museum. The Specialist is responsible for major initiatives and responsibilities associated with the NASM Safety and Occupational Health Program spanning the total museum environment which includes galleries, workshops, storage areas, offices, mechanical spaces, retail shops, and eating facilities. NASM is administered as one Museum in the virtual space as well as multiple physical locations at which the Specialist will provide both remote and in-person support: the National Mall Building in Washington, D.C., the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, and the Paul E. Garber Facility in Suitland, Maryland.
- Provides technical response and on-site support at NASM facilities. The work requires identification, evaluation, resolution, and control of a wide variety of hazardous operations and conditions, promotion and fostering of safety education activities and systematic analysis of mishaps. An additional complicating factor is the difficulty of predicting and preventing mishaps involving public visitors whose behavior in unfamiliar surroundings is uncertain. The work environments inspected represent a diversity of operations where work practices, conditions and activities subject employees, visitors, and volunteers to a variety of risks.
- Supports development of guidance such as new or revised procedures, directives, and memoranda to ensure consistent application of safety and occupational health standards. Facilitates the maintenance of mandated safety programs and the organization and dissemination of these resources to affected SI and NASM personnel.
- Develops and maintains emergency operation procedures (EOPs), emergency contact lists, and emergency maps and resources. Supports regular emergency planning, response, and recovery activities including facilitating NASM emergency operation group calls and communications. Supports planning and execution of regular test, training, and exercise activities.
- Supports museum safety inspection and audit programs to provide comprehensive physical facility and programmatic assessments for corrective actions and process improvement. Utilizes established procedures and policies to conduct safety inspections and documents deficiencies reporting any findings that are viewed as non-compliant/unknown to the appropriate personnel for further review. Conducts general or informal reviews of contractor project safety plans to ensure compliance with SI, Federal, State, and Local requirements. Supports review of architectural and engineering drawings for new construction within the building, as well as other major alterations to the existing structure(s).
- Assesses staff safety training requirements and monitors compliance statuses to identify and prioritize required and elective trainings. Provides guidance and support to supervisors and staff to acquire training. Plans and conducts training where applicable and within area of expertise/practice. Ensures submittal and maintenance of training records.
- Responds to incident and evaluates accident and mishap investigations and prepares and obtains reports and necessary documentation, including information from witnesses and photos. Logs records of incidents into SI systems and OSHA 300 logs.
- Inspects NASM waste chemicals at the user location and regularly monitors hazardous waste accumulation areas to comply with EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements. Advises users of the proper labeling and identification requirements, proper safe storage procedures, and proper disposal requirements. Assists with maintenance of disposal records including bill of lading and EPA uniform hazardous waste manifests.
Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a minimum of 3 years of related experience (described below):
- Comprehensive knowledge of safety and occupational health principles, practices, procedures, and standards sufficient to develop, organize, direct, operate and evaluate a safety and occupational health program involving a variety of hazards encountered in various buildings, structures, or facilities. Possess a thorough understanding of safety regulations, standards, and guidance, including but not limited to OSHA, EPA, NIOSH, NFPA, and ANSI.
- Knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological field hazards sufficient to apply standard safe practices and procedures to a variety of work environments. Knowledge of established policies and procedures necessary to manage the disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials.
- Skilled in identifying and communicating safety issues or hazards and interpreting procedural or policy compliance/non-compliance to inform managers or personnel of appropriate safety conditions and techniques to utilize during work operations.
- Skilled in researching and tracing environmental, operational, or external factors that are negatively impacting the work environment and determining solutions to resolve dangers posed.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to prepare reports, draft plans, and guidelines, and respond to safety inspection reports.
- Ability to research policies, procedures, and technical manuals to determine solutions, identify facts and precedents, and implement correct measures and actions to improve safety and occupational health.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NASM-HR@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 14 education and research facilities. There are more than 6,500 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million.
