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Life Scientist/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Region 9, Water Division, Surface Water Branch, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits Section or Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division RCRA Branch, Permits Section.  If selected, you must work at one of the locations stated in this announcement.  About Region 9:  Region 9 Website

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/15/2020 to 04/23/2020
Salary
$78,081 to - $101,503 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
San Francisco, CA
4 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Less than 25% per month
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CI-R9-OT-2020-0013
Control number
565626300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Prepare or review permits (issuance, re-issuance, and modification) for moderately complex treatment, storage and disposal facilities or sources;
• Provide technical support to state, local or tribal agencies regarding technical and scientific criteria and methods; implementation of pollution control requirements; and impacts of pollutants;
• Provide technical support in defense of technical and legal challenges to permits with Office of Regional Counsel (ORC);
• Respond to permit inquiries;

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 inter agency agreements.

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.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.

If you are selected, you may be required to 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.

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-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as performing data analysis on scientific investigations/projects OR preparing permits for facilities (issuance, re-issuance, or modification).

- 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
                                                                                                                                           

- OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your application package will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

  • Knowledge of professional environmental physical science and/or life science concepts, principles, and practices to prepare permits (issuance, re-issuance, and modification) for the discharge of dredged or fill material to waters of the United States;
  • Knowledge of conservation biology, hydrology, and industry technology to develop requirements which are practicable, and mitigate impacts to ensure protection of the environment; 
  • Skill in identifying and resolving alternatives to discharges while meeting project purposes;
  • Knowledge of environmental permit regulations, relevant case law, and agency policies;
  • Skill in presenting technical/scientific information to a variety of individuals and groups including, state, local, or tribal agency officials, and private citizens (both discharges and those affected by discharges)
  • Skill in writing agency correspondence, comments on technical documents, and permit guidance or policies.

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

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in

Life Scientist - 0401

  1. Biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Physical Scientist - 1301

  1. 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

  2. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

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.

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

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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