Chief Safety Officer

Summary

The Chief Safety Officer of the Office of Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) at NIST promotes and sustains a strong, integrated safety culture that enables staff at all levels to understand their roles, contribute effectively, and advance the success of the Institute. OSHE furthers this goal by advising the NIST Director and Associate Directors on all matters related to safety, health, and environment (SH&E) to achieve office objectives and advance organizational performance.

Duties

The Chief Safety Officer is primarily responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and administering the NIST-wide safety, health, and environment (SH&E) program to help ensure the NIST mission is accomplished while protecting workers, the public, and the environment. In addition, you will: Oversee efforts to develop, implement, and maintain a robust, integrated, and risk-based SH&E management system at NIST and to support its implementation. Propose, evaluate, and justify the overall SH&E program, its objectives, and its activities from technical, policy, and operational standpoints. Prepare budget estimates for the program, reviewing its budget justifications, and allocating and realigning funds for various activities. Lead strategic and operational planning to improve the SH&E management system, including identifying organizational needs, establishing objectives, and developing implementation plans. Serve as principal spokesperson for SH&E, representing NIST before Administration officials, Congress, the Department of Commerce, other agencies, industry, and academia. Promote a strong and integrated safety culture throughout NIST through leadership, communication, and continuous engagement with stakeholders. Provide authoritative guidance on SH&E issues, ensuring the program meets organizational priorities, regulatory obligations, and best practices in laboratory safety and health.

Qualifications and evaluation

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQ) listed above. ECQs and PTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, click this link.

Education

This position does not have an education requirement.

How to apply

Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a four-step process on how to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information. We'll automatically save progress made as you go, so any changes won't be lost. Application Tips Need Help? - If experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button): please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between normal business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET). If receiving any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or at a minimum, the error message text and number. If necessary, we will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance. - If having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder): please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center. We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST. Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/14/2026. Applicants applying on-line for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/14/2026. Please allow adequate time to complete your application. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS. As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. See "Required Documents" section for what is considered a complete application package. The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Amy Laughter, the servicing Human Resources Specialist, by e-mail at amy.laughter@nist.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users may contact us via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.

Required documents

In addition to your online application, the following documents must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/14/2026: 1. Resume - You must submit a resume that provides evidence of how you possess each of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs) listed in the announcement in one document. We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You must submit a resume not to exceed two pages using a legible font no smaller than 11-point with at least 0.8-inch margins without any Personally Identifiable Information, such as a photo or Social Security Number. It's strongly recommended to upload a PDF version of your resume. Do not use the USAJOBS Resume Builder Tool. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be considered ineligible. Your resume should be 2 pages or fewer and must not include images, graphics, or hyperlinks (including publications and/or social media). Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. 2. SF-50 - For current Senior Executives or individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your career appointment status in the SES. For current Federal employees: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your current tenure, position title, series and grade level. Award SF-50s will not be considered. 3. Certification - For SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) Graduates: You must submit your SESCDP OPM-Certification documentation. 4. Political Appointee - OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Applicants who fail to submit requested documents WILL NOT receive consideration for this position and your application will receive an "incomplete" rating. If you are unable to upload documents or you do not have access to the internet, please contact Amy Laughter at amy.laughter@nist.gov. Do not submit any additional information that is not required: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.

Additional information

Mobility: Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines. Relocation expenses: Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized in accordance with agency policy. Financial Disclosure: This position is covered under the Ethics in Government Act, which requires comprehensive financial disclosures from employees. The appointee will be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) within 30 days of their appointment, annually thereafter and upon termination of Federal Government employment. Qualifications approval and probationary period: Persons newly selected for career appointments within the Senior Executive Service must have their executive core qualifications approved by an Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board and will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as: Telework Flexible work schedules Paid parental leave Paid vacation Sick leave Family-friendly leave Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families Back-up childcare program Child and elder-care resources On-site childcare center Lactation spaces Wellness programs Fitness center Employee assistance programs To learn more about NIST, visit NIST's channel on YouTube.