Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

• Conduct the evaluation of applications for permits, and the modification of permits, for activities or work in waters of the United States. Evaluations
• Provide advice to potential applicants/permittees concerning regulatory requirements, including jurisdiction, processing and evaluation, and the likelihood of project approval.
• Recommend issuance or denial of permits/modifications, or conditions for issuance, and documentation of the weighing and balancing thought processes in a Statement of Findings (SOF) leading to the recommended decision.
• Monitor implementation of permit special conditions, such as reporting requirements or compensatory mitigation, providing consultation and approvals as appropriate, evaluating proposed or required changes, and modifying permits
• Prepare jurisdictional determinations, including wetlands delineations, to determine extent of unauthorized activities.
• Develop and direct restoration plans and determining when plans have been completed.
• Assist with the development and implementation of programmatic initiatives and requirements.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
• Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually, in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, dated 17-Nov-2011.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a motor vehicle operators license.
• Incumbent must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle without danger to self or to others.
• This position can be filled at any grade level GS-05, GS-07, GS-09 or GS-11.
• May be selected at any grade level with non-competitive promotion potential to target grade. Non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade based on time-in-grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the higher graded duties.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens



In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement in the education section (see links), to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

To qualify at the GS-05 grade level, you must have:
Basic Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in Biologist, Ecologist, Botanist, Forester, Soil Scientist, Fishery Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Engineer, Physical Scientist, and Geologist, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

To qualify at the GS-07 grade level, you must have:
One year of specialized experience which includes using standardized environmental principles, regulations, policies, procedures, laws sufficient to assist in regulatory work that requires skills sufficient to identify, interpret, and evaluate a variety of regulatory factors and related natural, cultural and social conditions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05);
OR
Degree: Successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Biology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Claiming Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in B above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: - (1) Class Standing - You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR- (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - You must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR- (3) Honor Society Membership - You may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts and/or verification of class standing for further verification.)

To qualify at the GS-09 grade level, you must have:
One year of specialized experience which includes using standardized environmental principles, regulations, policies, procedures, laws, and techniques sufficient to insure that regulatory work is incompliance; assisting in the development of procedures to implement directives from higher authority. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07);
OR
Degree: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Biology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Specialized experience as described above but less than one year; and I have at least one year of graduate education as described above, but less than the required two years. Have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, you must have:
One year of specialized experience equivalent which includes using professional knowledge of the basic principals of geography, engineering, archeology, biology and/or physical science and skill sufficient to identify, interpret, and determine the significance of the interrelationships existing among various natural and human phenomena and the processes of change which result from the impact of planned construction activities; evaluating the applications for permits, and the modification of permits, for activities or work in waters of the United States; providing advice to potential applicants/permittees concerning regulatory requirements, including jurisdiction, processing and evaluation, and the likelihood of project approval. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09);
OR
Degree: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Biology. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Specialized experience as described above, but less than one year; and I have at least two years of graduate education as described above, but less than the required three years. Have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent:

Must have 52 weeks at the GS-05 for the GS-07 grade level
Must have 52 weeks at the GS-07 for the GS-09 grade level
Must have 52 weeks at the GS-09 for the GS-11 grade level

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.