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Biologist/Ecologist/Toxicologist/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Health and Environmental Effects Assessment Division, Integrated Health Assessnment Branch

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

About the Office of Research and Development.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/31/2021 to 04/07/2021
Salary
$80,522 to - $124,477 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Durham, NC
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
RTP-ORD-DE-2021-0032
Control number
596951700

Duties

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You will:

- Interpret, evaluate, and analyze scientific data and other information for the development of human health and environmental assessments of human exposure to air pollutants;

- Communicate analyses, research results and technical advice and maintain professional contacts essential to the assessment process;

- Provide technical expertise, assistance and advice to support assessment efforts;

- Identify, plan and implement research to develop and/or improve methods used in assessments.

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.
  • Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.

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.

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-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as participating in team research toward developing and/or analyzing scientific studies related to human exposure assessment of air pollutants and communicating results to others.

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 independently developing and/or analyzing scientific studies related to human exposure assessment of air pollutants; providing technical expertise or advice to others; and communicating research results in peer-reviewed publications.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of air pollutants as the relate to human exposure; 2) Skill in analyzing scientific data; 3) Skill in oral communication; 4) Skill in written communication; 5) Skill in leadership; 6) Ability to lead a team of junior scientists; 7) Ability to synthesize and integrate scientific results into assessments.

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.

Biologists: You must have a bachelor's or higher 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.

Ecologists: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences.  These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.

Toxicologists: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in toxicology, or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.

Physical Scientists: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following:  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 a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit 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.

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.

This position has portable work.  If selected for this position, you may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.  Telework is available based on agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement which may not allow for full-time telework.  NOTE:  The agency is currently utilizing maximum telework flexibilities due to COVID.  Once normal operations resume, you will be required to report to the location stated in this announcement.

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.

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.


To preview questions please click here.

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