Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Works closely with higher graded specialist to carry out the following: serves as an expert on chemical exposure pathways and human health risk assessment at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action sites and Toxic Substance and Control Act (TSCA) polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) cleanup sites.
• Serves as a regional technical authority by providing information and technical support concerning chemical exposure and toxicity. Independently prepares, analyzes and reviews risk assessments and other scientific and technical environmental issues related to toxicology and human health risks.
• Provides technical support and guidance to project managers in the corrective action sections and state environmental agencies in evaluation and assessing human health risks associated with RCRA corrective action, Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST), and TSCA PCB cleanup sites.
• Provides technical assistance, models or interpretations of data on matters related to a specific scientific method, approach, function and process.
• Serves as a Corrective Action Project Manager responsible for planning, coordinating, managing and/or overseeing RCRA corrective action work at hazardous waste facilities and PCB cleanup sites.

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.

Conditions of employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.
• You will be required to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
• You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.

• You will be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.
• 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.
• Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.
• This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.
• 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 be a U.S. citizen.

Qualifications

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

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-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as assisting in the review of human health and/or environmental hazard information and/or risk assessments - OR master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below.

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as evaluating human health and/or environmental hazard information and/or risk assessments - OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below.

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

• Knowledge of the concepts and principles of toxicologist to resolve complex problems; extend and modify techniques; develop new approaches that guide others who solve a variety of technical problems.
• Ability to apply new innovative or experimental toxicological theories, developments and practices to calculate and correlate test results or conduct studies not amenable to treatment by accepted methods.
• Ability to outline or discuss potential problem areas and defines objectives, plans, priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge in toxicology concepts and principles to resolve novel or obscure problems
• Ability to develop, extend and modify techniques to solve a variety of technical problems.
• Knowledge in applying new, innovative or experimental toxicological theories to conduct studies not amenable to treatment by accepted method.
• Knowledge in environmental statutes and regulations.
• Knowledge in written communication skills
• Knowledge in complex projects consisting of extensive sampling, assessment of activities, innovative or alternative treatment technologies that is applicable or relevant to environmental, public health and safety.
• Skill in coordinating and overseeing the contributions of other federal, state and local officials pertaining to the site.
• Ability to manages the administrative record of scientific/engineering, management and informational documents.

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.

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