At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Participate in response to the release of oil and/or other hazardous materials as directed by senior On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) or supervisor;

- Assist the senior OSC to exercise warranted Contracting Officer functions in accordance with the Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) from the EPA Office of Acquisition Management;

- Assist the senior OSC to conduct official investigations and/or inspections pursuant to all federal laws administered by the U.S. EPA, for both fund-led and enforcement-led removal responses;

- Provide assistance with planning, prevention, and preparedness activities related to health and environmental hazards resulting from releases of biological, chemical and/or radiological agents;

- Participate in the monitoring removal responses that involve hazardous waste as directed by the senior OSC or supervisor, and perform public relations activities.

OR

- Determine appropriate cleanup actions, methods and tools for toxic and hazardous waste sites and recommend to senior (Remedial Project Manager) RPM or supervisor the most cost-effective solutions;

- Oversee and monitor contractual work efforts in routine cases where EPA must assume the cleanup duties to assure that federal funds are properly expended and that contractors are utilized effectively and efficiently;

- Monitor cleanup efforts for well-established site situations that involve toxic and hazardous waste cleanup;

- Participate in enforcement activities;

- Perform community relations activities.

You could spend less than 25%, 25%-50% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

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.  NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.- Review, assess, or draft comments and technical documents related to air, water, land, hazardous waste, or habitat protection, permitting, enforcement and compliance, Superfund or Brownfields, or environmental data.

One or more positions may be filled (in one of the organizations advertised and/or in other organizations).

Conditions of employment

• Pre-employment drug testing may be required and random testing thereafter.
• You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.
• You may be required to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
• Pre-employment physical may be required and periodic physicals thereafter.
• You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
• You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.

This position is designated as Low, Moderate, or High 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.

As required by Executive Order 14043, if you are selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by 11/22/21, or before onboarding with the agency if after 11/22/21, except in limited circumstances. For information about COVID-19 workplace safety at EPA, as well as resources and health and safety guidance, visit COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace.

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

You may be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Participation in the medical monitoring program may be required.

This position may require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

You may be required to meet ongoing specialized safety training requirements in order to meet field safety standards.

You may be required to obtain and maintain a secret or top secret security clearance.

Qualifications

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 assisting in conducting investigations and in monitoring the removal responses of hazardous waste; OR participating and/or assisting in environmental cleanup efforts at sites;

- OR 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described below.

- 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 assisting in the determination of appropriate cleanup actions at sites involving toxic and/or hazardous waste; OR responding to accidental or deliberate hazardous chemical or biological spills; assist in assessing an environmental incident to determine the appropriate response;

- OR master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 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 answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of federal, state and local environmental regulations; 2) Skill in collecting and reviewing scientific and/or engineering data; 3) Knowledge of contract management procedures; 4) Knowledge of hazardous waste regulations; 5) Skill in written communication; 6) Skill in oral communication; 7) Ability to establish goals and assess progress toward their achievement.

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. NOTE:  Preference eligible veterans must be selected, or decline further consideration, before applicants who are ineligible for veterans’ preference can be selected (to learn more, visit Veterans' Preference).

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.