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Biologist/Toxicologist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pesticide Programs, Health Effects Division, Multiple Branches, in Arlington, VA.

For more information on this office, visit their website:  Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

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

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/21/2019 to 07/12/2019
Salary
$83,398 to - $128,920 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
MANY vacancies in the following location:
Arlington, VA
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
R-OCSPP-MP-2019-0048
Control number
537402800

Duties

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You will: 

- Extrapolate data on laboratory animals to evaluate the possible effects pesticides have on humans; assess the validity of the data and determine the utility of the results;

- Prepare reports that provide recommendations concerning either the retention or cancellation of pesticides;

- Conduct analyses and prepare reports of reviews which provide recommendations concerning pesticide registration actions;

- Attend and participate in meetings, workshops, and seminars related to areas of toxicology and biology.

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.
  • Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You may be required to travel less than 25%.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).

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 must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

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: 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 GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as reviewing hazard, dose response, and/or risk characterizations related to the effects chemicals have on humans and/or animals.

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, dose response, and/or risk characterizations related to the effects chemicals have on humans and/or animals.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Ability to examine scientific data to assess risks resulting from pesticide usage; 2) Knowledge of the adverse effects pesticides have on laboratory and domestic animals; 3) Knowledge of federal laws and regulations related to pesticides; 4) Skill in oral communication; 5) Skill in written communication; and 6) Skill in conducting literature searches in a variety of scientific databases.

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.

One or more positions may be filled.

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.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee?  If so, please read the Required Documents and visit the EPA website for additional information: http://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-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: http://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures.

If you have part-time work experience, read this: http://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-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.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

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 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 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.  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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.


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