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Biologist/General Engineer/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located in Office of the Administrator, Office of Policy, Office of Federal Activities, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Division.

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

About Office of the Administrator: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-administrator.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/20/2019 to 11/27/2019
Salary
$99,172 to - $128,920 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
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-OA-OT-2020-0001
Control number
552331100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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You will:

- Perform policy analysis in the regulation and policy development for EPA's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

- Provide advice and guidance to agency decision makers through inter-agency work groups.

- Assist in the development of national policy issues focused on EPA NEPA compliance.

- Serve as the point of contact and principle reviewer on matters related to EPA comments on federal agency proposed NEPA actions.

One or more positions may be filled.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • Position has education requirements (see Qualifications/Education section).
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.

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 may be required to 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

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 providing advice to an organization on NEPA implementation and compliance; serving as a program liaison on NEPA related compliance issues. 

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of environmental science principles, practices, and theories in relation to public health protection; 2) Skill in developing and modifying analytical methods; 3) Skill in oral communication; 4) Skill in written communication; 5) Skill in managing projects; 6) Ability to develop new approaches and to investigate critical problems within NEPA compliance guidelines; 7) Ability to facilitate conflict resolution.

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.

Biology: 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; OR 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

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 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.

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.

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.  All eligible applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration, and you may be subject to assessments during the selection process.  If you are selected, we will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the qualification requirements.


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