At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Provides guidance, expert advice, training, and instruction to staff of the Branch on technical review and evaluation of oil spill response plans (OSRPs), plan holder training and exercises, unannounced exercises, oil spill response equipment and associated maintenance, training and use records; and ensures all activities are in accordance with national policy. Identifies and documents lessons learned. Ensures oil spill program activities are promptly revised to recognize and adapt to lessons learned.
2. Conducts technical review and evaluation of OSRPs, conducts and evaluates unannounced exercises; inspects and evaluates oil spill response equipment and associated maintenance, training and use records; supports incident response; pursues regulatory enforcement; and engages in other oil spill program activities. Incumbent ensures these activities are done in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
3. Evaluates regulatory compliance issues for OSRPs, response equipment capabilities, and training and exercise conduct, and issues enforcement actions as warranted. Refers cases for civil penalty review as appropriate. Coordinates all enforcement activities with appropriate Headquarters, Region, and District BSEE staff.
4. Assists and instructs or leads in the development of scenarios for government initiated unannounced oil spill exercises; may conduct exercise and/or serve as evaluator. Also assesses the need for changes to associated OSRPs, response tactics and strategies, and/or exercises and training based on outcomes.
5. Conducts, documents, and evaluates field inspections of oil spill containment, control, and cleanup equipment; issues enforcement actions as necessary; and prepares analysis. Works with other Analysts to coordinate OSRP reviews, annual inspections of oil spill response equipment, conducts field inspections of equipment, issues enforcement actions as necessary, and prepares analysis.
6. Serves as the lead BSEE representative on Regional Response Teams and Area Committees, as directed, to provide advice and assistance in the development and revision of NRS contingency plans and geographic response plans. Also supports other NRS committees and workgroups by reviewing and commenting on guidance documents and other work products.
7. Ensures all oil spill preparedness activities are designed and conducted in accordance with relevant environmental federal statutes such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
8. Provides subject matter expertise in the preparation of memorandums of understanding (MOU) or memorandums of agreements (MOA) with coastal states and Federal agencies concerning the implementation and practice of BSEE oil spill responsibilities. Provides advice and technical expertise to the Section, Branch, Division and other BSEE staff on matters related to oil spill preparedness, containment, and cleanup strategies and equipment.  Reviews a broad range of correspondence prepared by others to answer questions or solicit information from lessees, operators, oil spill removal organizations, Federal and state agencies, and the general public.
9. Ensures industry after-action reports required by the regulations are submitted by the responsible party for a spill as appropriate. Supports the Office of Public Affairs by assisting in the identification of potential stories for publications, drafting relevant new briefs, and providing images taken from field activities.

Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary; however, field work is required when participating in the inspection of oil spill response equipment stockpiles, participating in training exercises, witnessing equipment testing, conducting unannounced exercises, deploying to command posts during oil spills, attending meetings and conferences away from the duty station, and performing related duties. On the occasions that the incumbent is in the field, the duties are generally not strenuous in nature but do require physical exertion due to the nature and location of the sites being visited and inspected.

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with occasional trips to offshore locations, offices of offshore operators, equipment storage yards, and incident command posts. The work environment typically involves normal everyday risks or discomforts typical of an office setting.  Occasional travel by auto, plane, helicopter, or boat may be required. Fieldwork exposes the incumbent to adverse conditions such as weather, temperature extremes, and higher accident potential when offshore. Some work conditions may expose the incumbent to high noise levels.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination
• You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
• You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the (A) Basic Education Requirement and (B) Specialized Experience for the grade to which you are applying.  

(A) Basic Education Requirements:

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-

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.  

Applicants must submit transcripts in order to verify educational requirement.  Failure to provide transcripts will result in an "ineligible" rating.

(B) Specialized Experience

In addition to meeting the (A) Basic Education Requirement, you must also meet the (B) Specialized Experience or directly related education for the grade to which you are applying.

GS-11:

To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.  Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1) conducting technical reviews and evaluations of spill response plans;
2) gathering technical data to provide assistance in responding to inquiries on oil spill responses and/or contingencies.

-OR-

Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (Degree must reflect the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.)

-OR-

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education in excess of graduate level education and specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level may be used to meet total experience requirements.

GS-12: Note: Education cannot be substituted for experience at grades GS-12 and higher.

To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.  Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1) conducting technical reviews and evaluations of spill response plans; 
2) gathering technical data to provide assistance in responding to inquiries on oil spill responses and/or contingencies. 
3) participating in providing technical advice regarding oil spill planning, prevention, containment, and/or cleanup operations; and

GS-13:

To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service.  Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1) conducting technical reviews and evaluations of spill response plans; 
2) gathering technical data to provide assistance in responding to inquiries on oil spill responses and/or contingencies. 
3) participating in providing technical advice regarding oil spill planning, prevention, containment, and/or cleanup operations;
4) preparing or reviewing documents submitted to comply with Federal policies, regulations, and laws related to offshore oil spill planning, prevention, containment, and cleanup requirements;
5) conducting oil spill drills.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. You are being evaluated under the Category Rating method, which means, if you are determined to be qualified you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are “Platinum”, “Gold”, and “Silver”.  However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the “Platinum” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.  Veterans' preference rules for category rating will be applied.

1. Compliance – Knowledge to conduct, document, and evaluate field inspections of oil spill containment, control, and cleanup equipment.
2. Technical Knowledge – Knowledge of the behavior and environmental effects of oil spills to enable the incumbent to provide advice and technical expertise on measures and techniques that will ensure conservation and maximum protection of natural resources.
3. Teamwork – Ability to participate in meetings and conferences with personnel; Federal, State and industry representatives, and the general public concerning the implementation of relevant regulations, policies, and requirements.
4. Interpersonal Communication – Ability to prepare and deliver formal presentations and speeches; preparing a variety of correspondence and written materials related to oil spill program. 

If you are a status applicant (current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former permanent Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility in the competitive service), or are eligible under a special appointing authority and you are selected under this vacancy, you may be subject to serving a new one-year probationary period.