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Environmental Protection Specialist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Region 9, in multiple divisions, and multiple branches and multiple locations.

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

About Region 9: Region 9 Website

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/15/2021 to 11/26/2021
Salary
$53,286 to - $84,732 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 07 - 09
Location
San Francisco, CA
Many vacancies
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
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CI-R9-DE-2022-0002
Control number
621984900

Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

  • Assist senior staff in implementing routine and well-established aspects of stakeholder/EPA partnerships for environmental protection programs.
  • Communicate established policy and procedural guidelines to state, local, and tribal agencies for the grants and agreements program.
  • Assist senior staff in the review of grants, cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements activities related to the initiation, administration, and/or close out of grants, cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements (IAGs).
  • Assemble and maintain case files for Performance Partnership Agreements (PPA) and Performance Partnership Grants (PPG).

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.  NOTE:  Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

You will spend more than 50% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.

As required by Executive Order 14043, if you are selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by 11/22/21, or before onboarding with the agency if after 11/22/21, except in limited circumstances.  For information about COVID-19 workplace safety at EPA, as well as resources and health and safety guidance, visit COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace.

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

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 assisting senior staff in routine aspects of environmental protection programs; assisting senior staff with grant, cooperative agreement, and/or interagency agreement activities (initiation, administration, and/or close-out).
- OR 1 full year of graduate level education; or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in an academic discipline related to this position
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined a assisting senior staff with grant, cooperative agreement, and/or interagency agreement activities (initiation, administration, and/or close-out); communicating established policy and procedural guidelines to state, local and tribal agencies.
- OR master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related; degree in an academic discipline related to this position
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Knowledge of environmental protection compliance and enforcement activities.
  • Skill in oral communication, sufficient to provide general information, requirements and guidelines on program activities
  • Skill in written communication, sufficient to respond to inquiries that are routine and conventional in nature; and assist with development of program guidelines and other written materials.
  • Knowledge of grants, and agreement management procedures.
  • Knowledge of filing, record keeping and documentations procedures.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA.  Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values.  Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission.  We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance.  At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face.  We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization.  The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve.  To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA.

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.

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. NOTE:  Preference eligible veterans must be selected, or decline further consideration, before applicants who are ineligible for veterans’ preference can be selected (to learn more, visit Veterans' Preference).

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.


To preview questions please click here.

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