Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, GS-0018-12 (08402)

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) announcement for multiple Safety and Occupational Health Specialists, GS-0018-12, in the South Atlantic Division, Charleston, Mobile, and Savannah Districts, Safety and Occupational Health Offices.

Position Title: Safety and Occupational Health Specialist

Open Period: 6-19 March 2026

Duty Location(s): Charleston, SC, Jacksonville, FL, Mobile, AL, or Savannah, GA.
* Select one or more cities to be considered for employment.

Duties & Responsibilities:

As a senior Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Specialist and Deputy to the District SOH Manager, the incumbent is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive SOH program for the District. The incumbent serves as an authoritative consultant and technical expert to senior leadership, managers, and employees on a wide range of complex SOH matters, particularly those involving high-risk civil works, military, and environmental missions. In this capacity, the incumbent leads and develops strategic safety initiatives and policies to mitigate risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a proactive safety culture essential to mission success. The incumbent assumes the full range of program management responsibilities in the absence of the District SOH Manager.

• Conduct independent safety and occupational health inspections, audits, and evaluations of USACE construction, O&M, and civil works projects to ensure compliance with EM 385-1-1, OSHA, and Army safety regulations.
• Serve as a technical safety authority, advising leadership and contractors on regulatory interpretation, risk management, and integration of safety requirements during planning, design, and acquisition phases.
• Lead or support accident and near-miss investigations, perform root cause analyses, prepare formal reports, and track corrective actions to closure while identifying trends for prevention.
• Review and approve contractor safety submittals (e.g., APPs, AHAs, lift plans, confined space and fall protection plans), with emphasis on high-risk and complex operations.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of the Corps of Engineers Safety and Occupational Health Management System (CE-SOHMS) through audits, assessments, and coordination with Division and HQ.
• Deliver safety training, outreach, and real-time coaching to government and contractor personnel to reinforce safe work practices and promote a strong safety culture.
• Participate in pre-construction conferences, preparatory meetings, and high-visibility project reviews to ensure safety requirements are fully incorporated and emphasized.
• Serve as Deputy to the District Safety and Occupational Health Manager, providing program oversight, staff mentorship, and representation in leadership briefings and working groups.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

OPM Qualification Standards – Safety & Occupational Health Management Series (0018) - https://www.opm.gov/.../safety-and-occupational-health-management-series-0018/

Other Requirements:

• Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
• All positions require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
• A trial or probationary period may be required.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This position may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 30% of the time.
• Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.
• Hiring incentives such as a recruitment/relocation bonus, service credit for leave, and student loan repayment may be authorized (subject to available budget).
• PCS expenses may be authorized (subject to available budget) if the selecting official determines the relocation is in the best interests of the government.
• This position requires that the incumbent possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or its possessions to operate vehicles.
• Position may require the incumbent to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• This position may be eligible for situational telework.