Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Observe and/or assist in collecting and reviewing technical information pertaining to pesticide registration documents;

- Provide correspondence to stakeholders under close supervision;

- Assist higher graded staff in tracking, reviewing, and responding to registrant submissions; and

- Coordinate meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

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.

Conditions of employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You may be required to travel less than 25% per month.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• 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.

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.

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.  All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

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-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as assisting with the collection, review and/or communication of technical information;
- OR 1 full year of graduate level education; or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in an academic discipline related to this position;
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as collecting, reviewing, and analyzing technical information related to environmental protection;
- OR master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related; degree in an academic discipline related to this position;
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of environmental regulations and directives related to pesticides; 2) Knowledge of environmental protection policies and procedures; 3) Skill in oral communication; 4) Ability to assist in preparing documentation; 5) Skill in written communication; 6) Knowledge environmental protection program work. 

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.  You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified’, ‘Well Qualified’, or ‘Qualified’ category.

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 Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.