Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Summary

The positions are located in Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pesticide Programs, Health Effects Division, or Environmental Fate Effects Division, multiple branches. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About OCSPP: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-chemical-safety-and-pollution-prevention-ocspp

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/22/2020 to 06/01/2020
Salary
$72,030 to - $133,465 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
MANY vacancies in the following location:
Arlington, VA
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
R-OCSPP-OT-2020-0037
Control number
569114200

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

Help

At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Interpret, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize scientific data and other information for the development of human health and/or environmental assessments on the effects of pesticides from both hazard/toxicology and exposure studies;

- Determine the general approach necessary to accomplish the review and evaluation of data;

- Prepare reports that includes evaluation of available data, and assessments of exposure, hazard and/or risk from exposure to pesticides;

- Review and make recommendations on the exposure analyses for pesticides in various environments concerning the retention or cancellation of pesticides.

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.

One or more positions may be filled.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

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

The current duty station for this position is Arlington, VA.  There are plans for this position to permanently move to a new duty station, Washington, DC.  Anyone selected for this position will be expected to start work or move to the Washington, DC office location when requested.

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 will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

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-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as defined as preparing analyses of scientific data; preparing reports and/or providing recommendations;
- 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.

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 defined as evaluating scientific data to determine results; preparing reports relating to risk assessments and/or characterizations.

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 defined as evaluating pesticide data to determine results; preparing reports relating to pesticide risk assessments and/or characterizations; and providing recommendations for supervisory approval.

Your application package will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Ability to examine scientific data to assess risks resulting from pesticide usage; 2) Knowledge of the uses and benefits of a variety of pesticides; 3) Ability to use standard data gathering and analysis techniques to support the development of pesticide information; 4) Ability to analyze technical documentation related to pesticides; 5) Skill in written communication to develop technical reports; 6) Knowledge of pesticide registrations.

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.

Biologist: 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.

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.


To preview questions please click here.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.