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Biologist/Physical Scientist/Chemist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions will be located in the Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment. The location will be determined after a selection has been made for the position; if selected, you must work at one of the locations stated in this announcement.  The salary will be commensurate with the location.  About the Office of Research and Development: Office of Research and Development

One or more positions may be filled.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/24/2019 to 10/08/2019
Salary
$74,596 to - $128,920 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Locations
MANY vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Gulf Breeze, FL
Duluth, MN
Chapel Hill, NC
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-DE-2019-0058
Control number
546625500

Duties

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You will:

- Manage a quality assurance (QA) plan for the organization, to include development, implementation, modification, innovation and alteration of standard practices;

- Develop QA policies and procedures;

- Conduct the organization’s internal and extramural audits;

- Act as a Project Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative or Work Assignment Manager

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).
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
  • You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.

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.

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

Qualifications

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 identifying quality assurance/quality control requirements for environmental data collection; and verifying environmental data quality.

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 planning for environmental data collection; establishing quality assurance/quality control requirements in plans and procedures; and evaluating environmental data quality.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Skill in applying quality assurance principles to environmental research, 2) Knowledge of professional science or engineering principles, theories and practices sufficient to serve as a technical authority in quality assurance (QA); 3) Skill in monitoring and reporting associated with quality control and quality assurance; 4) Skill in oral communication; 5) Skill in applying quality assurance principles to environmental research; 6) Skill in written 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.

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

Education

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

Biologist/0401: 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.

Physical Scientist/1301: 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Chemist/1320: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included the described coursework.

Additional information

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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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