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Environmental Protection Specialist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Office of Water.  If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.  About Office of Water: OW Website.

NOTE: This announcement has been extended and is now set to close 4/17/2020. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/02/2020 to 04/17/2020
Salary
$86,335 to - $133,465 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Washington, DC
MANY vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel 25% or less of each month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CI-OW-MP-2020-0022
Control number
564424000

Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

  • Implement, administer, evaluate and coordinate a water media program to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
  • Serve as a programmatic specialist on water quality and/or restoration programs.
  • Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations.
  • Serve as a Project Officer for water program grants, and/or interagency/cooperative agreements, providing assistance to grantee organizations.

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.

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.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.

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.

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 do not need a degree to qualify for this position.

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 and analyzing state and/or organization water programs and recommend changes; analyze and evaluate new or revised environmental guidelines to determine impact on water resources.

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 recommending program changes on water programs and plans; drafting and recommending regulatory/non-regulatory policies, directives and guidance and determining the impact on water resources.

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

  • Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws and regulations, such as the Clean Water Act (CWA), and/or other water quality laws, documentation and reporting requirements.
  • Skill in oral communication sufficient to provide guidance and assistance on complex aspects of environmental protection policies, plans, and programs.
  • Skill in written communication sufficient to respond to a wide variety of external inquiries, and develop program reporting, policies and guidance.
  • Knowledge of water program management concepts, principles and practices.
  • Skill in implementing and evaluating state/tribal/local water protection programs.
  • Knowledge of federal regulations, laws, policies and practices governing grants administration.

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.

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.

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.

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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