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Life Scientist/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Air & Radiation Division, Partnerships, Technology & Analysis Branch, Air Quality Analysis Section, San Francisco, CA.  If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.  About Region 9: Region 9 Website

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/18/2021 to 07/02/2021
Salary
$78,861 to - $102,526 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
San Francisco, CA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel less than 25% of each 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
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CI-R9-OT-2021-0008
Control number
605062700

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:

  • Perform complex technical review and modeling analyses, and rovide authoritative technical guidance on controversial or precedent-setting interpretation and implementation of air pollutant modeling regulations for regulatory actions such as State Implementation Plan attainment demonstrations, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit modeling, and visibility impacts evaluated under the Regional Haze Rule.
  • Develop air pollution studies using specialized dispersion modeling programs and statistical techniques and prepare technical support documents describing the studies and results.
  • Serve as the Air and Radiation Division’s technical resource on regulatory initiatives and other projects related to ambient air modeling, meteorology, and atmospheric science.

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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • 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. 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

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: Experience conducting dispersion or photochemical air quality modeling; Experience assessing the effects of emissions on air quality; and communicating conclusions or results to technical OR non-technical audiences.

- 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 the principles, theories and practices of life/physical sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, atmospheric science, meteorology, etc.)
  • Ability to apply them to air quality modeling to resolve unique or novel problems
  • Ability to resolve uniquely complex, politically sensitive, and controversial technical problems associated with air pollutant modeling regulations
  • Ability to use comprehension of the interrelated, emerging, complex, and frequently unclear Federal regulations, guidance and court decisions to provide advice
  • Ability to develop significant and innovative new methods and techniques for conducting and/or evaluating modeling
  • Skill in writing sufficient to prepare complex, detailed reports and summaries to brief Section or Branch on ambient air modeling issues
  • Skill in oral communication sufficient to communicate complex technical, legal, and policy issues related to modeling to state, local, and/or tribal officials
  • Skill in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to provide expert advice and achieve consensus on controversial issues, and to coordinate the development of required revisions to ambient air modeling procedures and projects

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.

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



0401 - General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series:

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. -OR-

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

1301 - General Physical Science Series:

A. Degree: 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-

B. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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