Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Assist in the analysis of environmental samples for the determination of contaminants and chemical parameters;

- Assist in the interpretation and evaluation of data to determine its significance;

- Assist in implementing and adhering to Laboratory Quality Control system requirements;

- Provide information based on the analysis of environmental samples;

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.

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

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. 

Chemist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included the described course work.

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-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as collecting environmental samples and/or performing routine analysis on statistical/scientific data, OR 1 full year of graduate level education; or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described below.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of chemical contaminants and parameters to analyze environmental samples and interpret data; 2) Skill in using laboratory instruments (e.g. gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer) and scientific equipment; 3) Knowledge of chemical contaminants and parameters to analyze environmental samples and interpret data; 4) Knowledge of chemistry-based quality control procedures and requirements; 5) Skill in oral communication; 6) 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.

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 Knowledge's, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.