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Biologist/Toxicologist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

***This announcement has been amended to extend the closing date to July 9, 2018.***

Earth Day is every day at EPA! At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans, and you’ll discover that EPA is one great place to work! We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career--we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. Discover how exciting safeguarding our natural resources and protecting human health can be. Find yourself at EPA.

These positions are located in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Risk Assessment Division, in Washington, DC. For more information on this office, visit their website: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-chemical-safety-and-pollution-prevention-ocspp.

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.

One or more positions may be filled.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/21/2018 to 07/09/2018
Salary
$81,548 to - $126,062 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
MANY vacancies in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
R-OCSPP-DE-2018-0050
Control number
502960100

This job is open to

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Duties

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You will:

-Serve as a recognized authority and subject matter expert on evaluating the hazard and risks to aquatic and terrestrial species from exposure to industrial chemicals, biological agents, and/or nanomaterials;

-Prepare hazard and risk characterizations and integrate cross-cutting information in support of regulatory and non-regulatory programs;

-Provide analyses and recommendations on strategies and methodologies for hazard prioritization, screen and assessment to advise the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention’s (OCSPP) programs;

-Provide expertise for the collection and analysis of data, and participate in the design, evaluation and development of hazard assessment methods, tools, databases, and models;

-Develop briefing materials and presentations on complex issues related to hazard prioritization, screening and assessments.

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.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
  • You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
  • 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.

Qualifications

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

Biologist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Toxicologist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in toxicology, or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.

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.

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-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as reviewing and/or evaluating hazard information and/or risk assessments related to the effects of industrial chemicals, biological agents, and/or nanomaterials.

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as developing hazard and/or risk assessments and analyzing and evaluating data related to the industrial chemicals, biological agents, and/or nanomaterials effects on aquatic and/or terrestrial species.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of hazard/risks associated with industrial chemicals, biological agents, and nanomaterials; 2) Skill in evaluating environmental hazards and risks; 3) Ability to work on a multi-disciplinary team of scientists; 4) Skill in preparing hazard and risk characterizations; 5) Skill in written communication; 6) Skill in evaluating and developing hazard/risk assessment tools and models; 7) Skill in data analysis; 8) Skill in making presentations and/or conducting scientific briefings. 

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.

Education

See Qualifications section.

Additional information

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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. You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the 'Best Qualified', 'Well Qualified', or 'Qualified' category.

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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