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Environmental Resource Specialist

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position:

This position is located in the Planning Division. The planning division is a diverse organization housed within the New England District (NAE) Headquarters in Concord, MA.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Posted 06/27/22
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$50,089 - $115,510 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 12
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Overnight business travel may be required up to 20% of the time.
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
NEFU227564196540HW
Control number
661861200

Duties

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  • At the target GS-12 Grade Level, you will:
  • Prepare/manage the preparation of Water Quality Certification applications, Coastal Zone Management (CZM) consistency determinations, and similar documents for Corps of Engineers and other agency projects, including related coordination.
  • As senior technical specialist, provide authoritative information on matters pertaining to ecology, biology, and other environmental sciences, and environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Represent the New England District (NAE) in meetings with citizen groups, technical experts, and agency representatives to resolve environmental/biological issues.
  • Prepare/ manage the preparation of ecological and water quality assessments, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, Clean Water Act evaluations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain, a valid, State-issued motor vehicle driver's license within 30 days of employment.
  • This position requires the incumbent to work locations such as; on boats, in lakes, wetlands, and coastal environments.
  • This position requires the incumbent to wear flotation devices while working aboard boats.
  • This position requires the incumbent to exercise prolonged standing, bending, and walking on rough and uneven terrain.
  • This position requires that the Incumbent must be willing to work in inclement weather such as heat, cold, rain and/or snow.
  • Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive MAY be Authorized.
  • PCS is NOT authorized.
  • See additional information below.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and 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.

Basic Requirement for Environmental Resource Specialist (0401) series:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
B.
Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

GS-07
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience includes: 1) Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations; 2) knowledge of ecological resources; and 3) knowledge of field sampling techniques. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR One full 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: such as biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). In order to be creditable under this provision, SAA must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. SAA is based on: (1) Class Standing - Applicants 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.) - Applicants 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 - Applicants 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/).
OR
A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-09
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience includes meeting three of the following: 1) Ability to prepare environmental documents in accordance with environmental laws and regulations; 2) ability to perform habitat assessments; 3) knowledge of environmental resources in ecosystems; and/or 4) knowledge of aquatic and/or upland field sampling techniques. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR 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 do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines applicable field(s) of study.
OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-11
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience includes meeting three of the following: 1) Prepare environmental assessments and other environmental documents in accordance with environmental laws and regulations; 2) prepare ecological and/or water quality assessments; 3) assist in the evaluation of plans affecting environmental resources; 4) experience in implementing ecological investigations; and/or 5) experience in coordinating environmental compliance requirements. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR 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 do the work of the position, such as: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-12
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience includes meeting all of the following: 1) Prepare National Environmental Policy Act documents in accordance with environmental laws and regulations; 2) prepare ecological studies; 3) assist in the formulation and evaluation of plans affecting environmental resources; 4) experience in designing and implementing ecological field investigations; and 5) experience in negotiating and coordinating environmental compliance requirements. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

"Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted".

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) - #18 Engineers and Scientists (Non-Construction) position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
  • Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

The Army values diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, cultures and skills, which connects employees to organizations that are committed to building an inclusive work environment where they can contribute to their fullest potential.

The District headquarters located in Concord, Massachusetts is situated approximately 18 miles northwest of Boston, the capital of the state. Not far from Concord center is Minute Man National Historical Park where the American Revolutionary battle of Concord-Lexington took place in 1775. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New England District is responsible for managing the Corps' civil works, military, hazardous waste remediation, and international and interagency support (IIS) program responsibilities throughout the six New England states. The District employs about 500 professional civilian employees plus military officers in key management positions.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
FU-APF-W2SF05 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, NEW ENGLAND
DO NOT MAIL
Concord, MA 01742
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/

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