At the entry level of this position, you will:

1. Serve as Certified Drinking Water Inspector for Region 5 in the field of microbiology for State Principle Drinking Water laboratories. Candidate must possess SDWA certification or be able to successfully pass the course work, tests, and audits required to gain this national SDWA Certification Officer status. 

2. Coordinate Region 5 Laboratory Certification audits and meetings and provides technical assistance to state SDWA certification officers and exchange of information on program issues, policies, and technical problems with respect to Microbiology. Serves as coordinator for the annual water supply performance evaluation studies for Regional, State, Tribal, Local, and private laboratories. The annual tracking of SDWA performance evaluation results are required by regulation for the SDWA program and State certification programs.

3. Participate in Waste Water work areas related to support of the NPDES Microbiology analytical support for Region 5, including Total and fecal coliform testing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for microbial source tracking and other programs.

4. Perform quality assurance functions by reviewing and evaluating environmental and/or microbiology analyses, studies, sampling, or other forms of data processed by others, within or outside EPA, for technical adequacy and acceptability. 

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

Conditions of employment

• Position has educational/degree requirements. (See Qualifications Section)
• You must submit resume and required documents. (See How to Apply)
• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.

If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.

This position is designated as Low Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.

Qualifications

Microbiologist (0403): Degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry or basic medical science with 20 semester hours in microbiology and subjects related to the study of microorganisms and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics and college algebra OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major and with courses as shown above plus appropriate experience or additional education

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement.  However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as having knowledge of microbiology terminology and methodology related to the US EPA drinking water and wastewater programs applicable to drinking water or waste water compliance testing, and direct laboratory experience in performing classical microbiology methods or techniques.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as having extensive knowledge of microbiology terminology and methodology related to the USEPA drinking water and wastewater programs applicable to drinking water or waste water compliance testing, and direct laboratory experience in performing classical microbiology methods or techniques.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of a wide range of biological and microbiological concepts, principles, and methods applicable to varied and complex problems or studies. 

2. Skill in written communications, especially of a technical nature.

3. Skill in oral communications, especially of a technical nature.

4. Knowledge of microbiology terminology and methodology for drinking water and wastewater projects, and State audits.

5. Skill in modifying standard practices and methods, adapting precedents, and make significant departures from existing approaches and techniques. 

6. Knowledge of applicable environmental statutes and Federal Regulations. 

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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 required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications Section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the on-line assessment. Your responses to the on-line assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

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