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Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

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.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/13/2018 to 09/26/2018
Salary
$96,970 to - $126,062 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington DC, DC
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
CI-OW-DE-2018-0010
Control number
510738400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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You will:

-Lead review of various Agency programmatic activities at the Regional or Headquarters level to assess the technical and programmatic effectiveness of EPA activities related to watershed management.

-Lead in development and review of projects, guidance and agreements related to watershed assessment, restoration and protection.

-Lead in the development and review of projects, guidance, interagency agreements, and regulations under CWA Section 303(d)

-Provide analytical support to management on watershed management issues, especially activity regarding TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Load).

-Participate constructively on teams dealing with watershed management and regulatory issues.

-Represent the Agency on issues related to watershed assessment, restoration, and protection activities at professional conferences, trainings, and meetings with other agencies at the national, regional, state and local levels.

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).
  • Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.

This position is located in Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Office of Wetlands Oceans & Watersheds, Watershed Restoration, Assessment & Protection Division, Watershed Branch, Washington, D.C. For more information on this office, visit their website:  Office of Water

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.

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.

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

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

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

  1. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in 1 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.


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-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as experience implementing Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), including development and implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) and application of water quality models and other water quality analyses to develop TMDLs to address point and nonpoint sources of pollution.

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.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

-Knowledge of activities and principles related to watershed management.

-Ability to lead activities, projects, and teams.

-Knowledge of Clean Water Act, Section 303(d) impaired waters listing and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.

-Skill in working with teams and stakeholdes.

-Skill in written communication. 

-Skill in oral communication. 

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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.

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 online assessment.  Your responses to the online 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.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

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


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