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Biologist/Toxicologist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans. We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career.

These positions are located in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Air Toxics Assessment Group, in Durham, NC.

For more information on this office, visit their website: Office of Air and Radiation.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
02/06/2019 to 02/12/2019
Salary
$76,015 to - $98,819 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
FEW vacancies 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-OAR-DE-2019-0010
Control number
523419400

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:

- Conduct health risk assessments to study the effects of hazardous air pollutants on humans, animals, and ecosystems;

- Develop and evaluate guidelines, policies, and strategies to assess risk to human health and the environment from toxic elements;

- Develop and improve exposure and risk assessment tools and methods for application in air toxic and criteria pollutant analyses;

- Prepare Federal Register notices, technical reports, and reports to Congress.

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.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
  • You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.

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.

If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Biologist: You must have a bachelor's 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.

Toxicologist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: 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.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement.  However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA.  More information on verification of education can be found here:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

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 applying methodologies to assess the toxicity of chemicals, and/or to conduct health risk assessments.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of hazardous air pollutants and/or criteria pollutants; 2) Skill in performing assessments and/or analyses; 3) Skill in providing description, explanation, and recommendation on the use and results of assessments and/or analyses; 4) Skill in workload prioritization; 5) Ability to develop and/or implement analytical tools and methods; 6) Skill in oral communication; 7) Skill in written communication.

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.

Education

See Qualifications section.

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

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.  

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

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.

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 selected, you must work at 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.

One or more positions may be filled.

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.


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