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Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Region 10, the Office of the Regional Administrator, Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, Environmental Characterization Branch.  If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.  About Region 10: Region 10

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/16/2021 to 04/22/2021
Salary
$84,886 to - $131,223 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Seattle, WA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel 25% of each month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CI-R10-OT-2021-0021
Control number
598594700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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You will:

  • Be responsible for ensuring all state, local, and tribal government air quality and meteorological stations meet rigorous quality assurance and
    systems audit requirements.
  • Serve as the sole authority for EPA Region 10 to provide state, local, and tribal government guidance and oversight relating to placing new monitors, samples, and instruments to meet national ambient air quality standards for various criteria and toxic air pollutants.
  • Be solely responsible for performing statistical air data analyses for various regulatory purposes including designation of air quality areas meeting or exceeding national ambient air quality standards, approval of state implementation plans (SIPs) for air quality nonattainment areas and approval of major source air quality permits.

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

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.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You will be required to lift items weighing up to 40 pounds.

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

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.  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.

Qualifications

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 working knowledge and/or experience of ambient air quality and meteorological monitoring methodology, quality assurance (QA), instrumentation, statistical and/or analytical data assessment.

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 working knowledge and/or experience of ambient air quality and meteorological monitoring methodology, quality assurance (QA), instrumentation, statistical and/or analytical data assessment. Experience in conducting oversight of technical systems audit assessments of state, local, and/or tribal air monitoring network and analytical laboratory to ensure they meet federal Clean Air Act requirements.


Your application package will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

  • Knowledge of various areas of atmospheric and other physical sciences, theories of quality systems, theories and scientific principles of air quality measurement systems, laboratory methods and operations, evaluation methods, regulations,
    statistics, and program requirements are needed in order to make decisions or recommendations significantly changing, interpreting, or expanding important agency policies and programs on air quality monitoring.
  • Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws and regulations, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA), and/or other air quality laws, documentation and reporting requirements, and lawmaking/rulemaking process, and precedent decisions, sufficient to conduct field assessments of air quality monitoring and meteorological sites operated by state, local, tribal agencies.
  • Ability to use sophisticated computer applications to access data, prepare statistical analyses, and to develop graphical displays of the data.
  • Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
  • Skill in written communication. 
  • Skill in oral 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.

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

Education

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

A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in

  1. 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

  2. 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.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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 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.

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.

This position has portable work. If selected for this position, you may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.  Telework is available based on agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement which may not allow for full-time telework.  NOTE: The agency is currently utilizing maximum telework flexibilities due to COVID.  Once normal operations resume, you will be required to report to the location stated in this announcement.

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

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s government-wide direct-hire authority.  Under the provisions of the direct-hire authority, category rating, veterans’ preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply.  All eligible applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration, and you may be subject to assessments during the selection process.  If you are selected, we will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the qualification requirements.


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