Clarification from the agency

-Current federal employees with competitive status; reinstatement eligibles; and ICTAP or EPA CTAP eligibles. -Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA). -Applicants eligible for non-competitive appointment (e.g., Schedule A, Peace Corps). -Public Health Service Officers.

You will:

• Works with assigned Tribes and tribal organizations to establish baseline quantitative and descriptive information regarding environmental conditions, identify and assess environmental problems, and develop tribal environmental work plans.
• Coordinates activities related to assigned Tribes and actively promotes closer integration of program activities through these efforts.
• Ensures that participating staff and affected program managers are kept informed of activities, policies, and goals pertaining to assigned Tribes and that participating staff and managers are aware of progress and additional actions that are required.
• Serves as a point of contact for assigned Tribes on major issues regarding environmental regulation, policy development, and financial assistance programs, and supports management as needed in responding to day to-day inquiries and issues. Responds directly to outside inquiries or takes action to establish contacts between Tribal members.
• Serves as the project officer for financial assistance agreements under the Indian General Assistance Program and other programs for which assigned Tribes are eligible. Informs eligible applicants of opportunities to apply, assists in the preparation of applications, negotiates agreements with successful grantees, provides oversight of assisted activities, monitors progress, and provides other assistance to grantees as needed.

One or more positions may be filled.

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.

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 experience in coordinating and implementing federal, state, local, and/or tribal environmental programs. Working knowledge and/or experience working with Indian General Assistance Program grants. 

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

1. Knowledge of environmental concepts, principles, and practices applicable to various programs to provide effective technical and policy advice to Tribes and tribal organizations to establish baseline quantitative and descriptive information regarding environmental conditions, identify and assess environmental problems, and develop tribal environmental work.
2. Knowledge of environmental management principles and various environmental laws, programs and policies; serve as point of contact for assigned Tribes on major issues regarding environmental regulation, policy development, and financial assistance programs; and support management as needed in responding to day-to-day inquiries and issues.
3. Knowledge and skill to serves as project officer for Indian General Assistance Program, Performance Partnership Grants, and other grants to tribal organizations; and successfully form effective teams utilizing diverse personnel to identify problems, develop consensus and compromise, and obtain commitments.
4. Knowledge and skill to negotiate work plans for grants, including Performance Partnership Grants; provide timely post-award monitoring and technical assistance to assure grantees perform in accordance with work plans, address grant noncompliance appropriately, and achieve timely closure of expired grants.
5. Knowledge regarding environmental policies, programs, and regulations sufficient for use in planning, implementing, or monitoring environmental programs and services (e.g. determining needs, evaluating program effectiveness, assuring compliance with regulations).
6. Knowledge and familiarity with Native American social and cultural history, traditions, and current environmental issues to assist Tribes in defining and assessing their environmental problems, developing environmental management capacity, and implementing programs and projects.
7. Knowledge and skill to manage, administer, or coordinate advisory, reviewing, evaluating, educating and/or training, negotiating, or problem-solving services (as a "troubleshooter", specialist, or coordinator) on specific problems, projects, programs, or functions (e.g. developing, coordinating, reviewing, and evaluating the implementation of work plans, including estimates of staffing needs, equipment, and supplies, and instructions needed to carry out the plans).
8. Skill of effective oral and written communication, in order to prepare and communicate detailed technical, policy, and procedural information to the lay public in a cross-cultural environment, and to synthesize and communicate stakeholder concerns.

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 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.