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Environmental Health Specialist (Pathways)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Southwest Region Office of Human Resources
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These are recent graduate positions as Environmental Health Specialists with OEHE at 4 duty locations in AZ and NV who are placed in a dynamic 2-year developmental program in the excepted service designed to lead to a career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program, the agency may non-competitively convert individuals to term or permanent positions in the competitive service at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/24/2018 to 08/10/2018
Salary
$42,699 to - $67,899 per year

NOTE: Salary listed is for the Tempe location only. All other locations: $41,365.00 to $65,778.00 per annum.

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Locations
San Carlos, AZ
1 vacancy
Tempe, AZ
1 vacancy
Elko, NV
1 vacancy
Reno, NV
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
9
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
IHS-18-PX-10264391-PTHWY
Control number
506021300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Candidates eligible under Indian Preference appointing authority; All Federal employees serving on a career or career-conditional appointment; Reinstatement eligible; Veterans Preference including Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA); Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) eligible; Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligible; Schedule A, and/or PHS Commissioned Corps Personnel

Duties

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  • Assist in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive environmental health program at assigned duty station.
  • Under supervision, the specialist will conduct comprehensive environmental health surveys of all IHS, BIA and tribal facilities including schools, head starts, day care centers, gaming facilities, health care, recreational facilities, industrial operations and drug rehabilitation facilities on assigned reservations
  • Under the guidance of District and Area staff, the specialist will build tribal capacity to manage environmental health hazards in their community by assisting with the development of environmental health and occupational safety policies, procedures, regulations, employee training programs and public education materials
  • Under guidance of District and Area staff, the specialist serves as a technical consultant to tribal program managers and leaders by assisting them with environmental health hazard identification.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment fingerprint check.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
  • ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period.
  • You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of August 3, 2018.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):
Degree: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher degree, which include major study an academic field related to Environmental Health.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-07:

  • 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: utilizing the Environmental Health references, guidelines, policies, regulations, precedents, in conducting work activity and apply these resources appropriately to specific cases or problems; working with word processing, spreadsheets, database and PowerPoint presentation, statistical analysis, GIS and other software used in the environmental health field; possess the basic understanding of biology, microbiology, chemistry and scientific methods and be able to apply that knowledge to public health issues; compiling and presenting scientific & public health material to community leaders and the general public in an effective manner; and planning and carrying out work activities, this skill would be demonstrated through current or past work activity or by completion of advanced course work culminating in a degree; OR
  • 1 full year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement in an Environmental Health curriculum; OR
  • A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
GS-09:
  • 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: independently conducting environmental health facility surveys, special environmental health investigations, developing effective environmental health training resources, and conducting environmental health/injury prevention data analysis are required elements; working knowledge of Environmental Health practices for professional registration from a recognized entity like National Environmental Health Association (NEHA); working with the policies and procedures of the Division of Environmental Health Services; utilizing the Environmental Health references, guidelines, policies, regulations, precedents in conducting work activity and apply these resources appropriately to specific cases or problems; and working with word processing, spreadsheets, database and PowerPoint presentation, statistical analysis, GIS and other software used in the environmental health field; OR
  • A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively high level graduate education leading to a master's degree; OR
  • A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
Superior Academic Achievement: SAA is based on (1) class standing - applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; (2) grade point average - applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) honor society membership - election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.

RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:
  1. To meet the program requirements, you must have obtained a qualifying degree to include an Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, or Doctorate degree from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous two years. Preference eligible veterans, who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation, begin their two year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years from the date on which the degree or certification was completed; OR
  2. Individuals who will obtain a qualifying Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within 90 days from the date of the close of this announcement may meet the program requirements. Applicants must provide proof of degree conferral prior to appointment.
Pathways Participant Agreement: All Recent Graduates are required to sign the Pathways Program Participant Agreement which outlines program requirements and non-competitive conversion eligibility. Successful completion of the Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist professional credential exam is preferred upon entry. Candidates must be able to obtain this credential within two years of accepting the position.

Additional information

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave is earned.

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: http://www.usphs.gov/

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1 year service agreement will be required.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-09 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Security Clearance: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. You will receive instructions on how to obtain and submit fingerprints and background investigation documentation. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges.
  • This position is covered by Public Law 101-630, the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (25 United States Code Chapter 34) requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this law, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
  • Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957. Seasonal Influenza immunization is required for civilian health care facility staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.
IHS - Operated Properties are tobacco free.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position. To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions.
You will be further evaluated/rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions to determine your competency in the following:

  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


You will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the assessment questionnaires. If after reviewing your resume and responses to the assessment questions, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration.

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance: Click here to view vacancy questions:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10264391 . All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of 08/10/2018, to be considered.

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