Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Biologist/General Engineer/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in the Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Land and Materials Management Division, Remediation and Technology Evaluation Branch in Cincinnati, OH.

For more information on this office, visit their website: Office of Research and Development

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

One or more positions may be filled.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/28/2019 to 06/04/2019
Salary
$77,523 to - $119,839 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Cincinnati, OH
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
RTP-ORD-OT-2019-0049
Control number
534964800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

Help

You will:

- As a research team leader in oil spill research, conduct research in the treatment of oil spills, and in bioremediation/biodegradation of fuel oxygenates and biofuels of all kinds;

- Coordinate projects and serve as a technical advisor to scientists and program officials on oil spill response;

- Assist in the development and evaluation of national policy options for the control of hydrocarbon pollution;

- Organize and direct workgroups to develop environmental regulations, policies, and guidelines.

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

Help

Conditions of employment

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

This position is designated as Moderate 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.

You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.

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

This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

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.

General Engineer: All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:

  • Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR
  • Have a combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.  The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
  1. Professional registration as an engineer.
  2. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test.
  3. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.
  4. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: 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 a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.

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: http://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-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 Research GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as participating in team research (i.e., formulating hypotheses, developing research plans, adapting existing methods/techniques) in oil spills response; and analyzing or communicating research results- OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the academic discipline as described above.

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 conducting independent research in oil spills response; managing technical progress of contracted research in materials and waste management or communicating research results in peer-reviewed publications.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of bioremediation/biodegradation of petroleum, mineral, plant or animal oils or oil products; 2) Skill in project management; 3) Ability to develop plan and program initiatives to support establishment of new scientific standards; 4) Skill in written communication; 5) Skill in oral communication.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s government-wide direct-hire authority.  Under the provisions of the direct-hire authority, category rating, veterans’ preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply.  We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  All applicants who meet these requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.


To preview questions please click here.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.