This position is in Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Superfund Remediation & Technology Innovation (OSRTI), Assessment and Remediation Division, Science Policy Branch. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About OLEM: Office of Land and Emergency Management Website.
Summary
This position is in Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Superfund Remediation & Technology Innovation (OSRTI), Assessment and Remediation Division, Science Policy Branch. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About OLEM: Office of Land and Emergency Management Website.
-Current federal employees with competitive status; reinstatement eligibles; and ICTAP or EPA CTAP eligibles.
-Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA).
-Applicants eligible for non-competitive appointment (e.g., Schedule A, Peace Corps).
-Public Health Service Officers.
Provide support for EPA's scientific methodologies in public and scientific forums where national experts debate and question EPA's groundwater protection science and policies. Assist in the development of groundwater contamination assessments, human and ecological exposure and risk assessments in support of groundwater protection and remediation.
Serve as an OSRTI focal point for authoritative interpretation of EPA guidelines and policies of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the scientific evaluation of fate and transport of chemicals in soil, groundwater and surface water, monitoring and remediation systems, characterization of subsurface hydro stratigraphy, aqueous chemistry, contaminant transport, remediation technologies and evaluation and application of chemical parameter, soil, ground water and surface water models, sampling and analysis programs.
Provide technical review and evaluation on groundwater, soil vapor and surface water exposure evaluation, restoration procedures, and policies; this includes providing technical recommendations on a variety of site-specific documents and ensures technical accuracy and completeness.
Assist in the formulation of technical policies and procedures for the field of chemical fate and transport and exposure assessment and how they relate to the operation of groundwater and surface water and soil, remediation systems, and analysis programs.
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.
If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
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.
You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.
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 evaluating groundwater using scientific methods and analysis; and addressing contaminated groundwater cleanup for site specific remedies.
To qualify for the GS-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as evaluating groundwater using scientific methods and analysis; experience in developing ground water flow and contaminant fate/transport models in a variety of hydrogeologic settings; and addressing contaminated groundwater cleanup for site specific remedies.
Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
Knowledge of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA) and how it relates to other environmental statutes such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Ability to apply advanced scientific principles and engineering related to groundwater and soil contaminant fate and transport, modeling theory and practice that enables the incumbent to provide technical support.
Ability to present technical findings to management and peers.
Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices of professional engineering, biological science, or physical science to evaluate the effectiveness of hazardous waste site cleanup and management.
Ability to assess the impact and risk of hazardous and toxic waste on human health, including public safety, and the environment from both site specific and national perspectives.
Ability to research and synthesize scientific materials.
Skill in providing technical review and advice on groundwater and soil contamination relating to remedial characterization, and implementation activities at hazardous waste sites to enhance the effectiveness of planned federal actions, to help develop new approaches to complex technical/scientific problems, to resolve problems related to site remedial actions and to aid in the development of guidelines for future federal activities.
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.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in:
1315 - Hydrology Series
Degree: physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
OR
Combination of education and experience, course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
1301 - Physical Scientist
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: 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 with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.
0819 - Environmental Engineer
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: you must meet either paragraph A or B:
A. Professional engineering degree from a school of engineering with at least one or more curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus AND courses (advanced beyond first year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education AND experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished: 1) a thorough knowledge of physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1) Professional registration; 2) Written test--Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer in Training exam or the written test required for professional registration; 3) Specified academic courses--Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A; or 4) Related curriculum--Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or appropriate professional field provided applicant has 1 year professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
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 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.
Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.
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.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 and an applicable score assigned.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.
--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
--Responses to the online assessment questionnaire (you must complete this online - it is not a document you need to upload).
--College transcripts - required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned. NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.
--Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.
--Current and Former Federal Employees: You are required to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes position title, pay plan, occupational code, grade or level, and duty station. The SF-50 must also indicate the following (you may need to provide more than one SF-50):
Status Eligibility/Competitive Status - SF-50 must include appropriate tenure and position occupied. If you are a current temporary/term employee who previously held a status federal position, you need to submit your SF-50 which shows your eligibility to be considered. (NOTE: If you are a current EPA employee and provide an SF-50 that does not show eligibility, we will access your eOPF to verify your eligibility to be considered.) If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
Time-in-Grade - If you are applying for a higher grade, you must provide the SF-50 that shows the length of time in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade/range increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job).
--Current Federal Employees: You are required to submit your most recent completed annual performance appraisal, dated within the last 18 months (if it is not dated within the last 18 months, or you have not received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why). NOTE: You only need to upload the page that shows the overall rating and signature, not the entire document.
--If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you'll need to submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy announcement. If you want to learn more about noncompetitive appointments, visit OPM's website: Special Appointment Authorities.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.
Environmental Protection Agency
US Environmental Protection Agency
Human Resources Office
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
United States
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your online occupational questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.
--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
--Responses to the online assessment questionnaire (you must complete this online - it is not a document you need to upload).
--College transcripts - required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned. NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.
--Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.
--Current and Former Federal Employees: You are required to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes position title, pay plan, occupational code, grade or level, and duty station. The SF-50 must also indicate the following (you may need to provide more than one SF-50):
Status Eligibility/Competitive Status - SF-50 must include appropriate tenure and position occupied. If you are a current temporary/term employee who previously held a status federal position, you need to submit your SF-50 which shows your eligibility to be considered. (NOTE: If you are a current EPA employee and provide an SF-50 that does not show eligibility, we will access your eOPF to verify your eligibility to be considered.) If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
Time-in-Grade - If you are applying for a higher grade, you must provide the SF-50 that shows the length of time in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade/range increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job).
--Current Federal Employees: You are required to submit your most recent completed annual performance appraisal, dated within the last 18 months (if it is not dated within the last 18 months, or you have not received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why). NOTE: You only need to upload the page that shows the overall rating and signature, not the entire document.
--If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you'll need to submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy announcement. If you want to learn more about noncompetitive appointments, visit OPM's website: Special Appointment Authorities.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.
Environmental Protection Agency
US Environmental Protection Agency
Human Resources Office
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
United States
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your online occupational questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
