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Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
EPA
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training, National Enforcement Investigation Center, Field Branch, Civil Services Section I. About OECA: OECA'S WEBSITE

This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. Partial work-from-home flexibilities may be authorized.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/22/2023 to 04/01/2023
Salary
$51,726 to - $82,249 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 07 - 09
Location
Lakewood, CO
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
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
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CIN-BE-OCG-2023-0001
Control number
714061300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

College graduates who have completed a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the preceding two years of application submittal (the two years begins on the date the degree is received, not the date of the graduation ceremony). NOTE: Veterans who were unable to apply within two years of obtaining their degree due to a uniformed service obligation of at least four years may apply within two years of their discharge from uniformed service.

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Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

GS-07:

  • Participate in enforcement activities as directed by senior enforcement officer or supervisor.
  • Provide technical assistance on analytical methods, sampling techniques, etc. 
  • Assist senior enforcement officers in the development of technical, scientific or engineering information for the development, negotiation and litigation of both civil and criminal enforcement matters.
  • Assist senior enforcement officers to provide regulatory compliance assistance to facilities during inspections, investigations, and compliance assistance visits, and at the request of facilities. 
  • Provide assistance to other engineers and scientists within the immediate organization by researching technical aspects of EPA laws and regulations.

GS-09:

  • Conduct inspections and investigations of regulated facilities for compliance with applicable regulations, permits, or other federal requirements.
  • Provide technical assistance on analytical methods, sampling techniques, etc., related to specific program areas, functions, or activities.
  • Participate in enforcement activities and recommend enforcement actions based upon inspection findings and current EPA policies.
  • Provide regulatory compliance assistance to well-established facilities during inspections, investigations, and compliance assistance visits.
  • Provide assistance to customers on technical aspects of EPA laws and regulations.

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.

College graduates who have completed a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the preceding two years of application submittal (the two years begins on the date the degree is received, not the date of the graduation ceremony).

NOTE: Veterans who were unable to apply within two years of obtaining their degree due to a uniformed service obligation of at least four years may apply within two years of their discharge from uniformed service.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.
  • Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
  • You will be required to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

#LI-Onsite

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.

This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

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-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as assisting in the collection and/or analysis of field and laboratory environmental samples; OR applying scientific/engineering principles or policies to environmental protection issues or problems
- OR 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described below
- 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 as analyzing field and laboratory environmental samples; OR applying scientific/engineering principles or policies to environmental inspections, investigations, and/or enforcement issues
- OR master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below
- 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:

GS-07:

  • Skill in written communication.
  • Ability to learn how to conduct field inspections, gather evidence, and recommend enforcement actions.
  • Ability to provide technical assistance for field sampling and analytical services, facility inspections or audits, or monitoring support
  • Ability to read, understand and apply environmental laws, regulations, policies, and practices related to enforcement and compliance activities.
  • Ability to learn how to conduct field inspections, gather evidence, and recommend enforcement actions.
  • Skill in written communication.
  • Skill in oral communication

GS-09:

  • Knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, policies and practices related to enforcement and compliance activities.
  • Skill in conducting field inspections, gathering evidence, and initiating enforcement actions.
  • Skill in written communication.
  • Skill in oral communication
  • Ability to provide technical assistance for field sampling and analytical services, facility inspections or audits, or monitoring support

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

In addition to the eligibility requirements for the College Graduate hiring authority, this position has specific educational requirements in order to qualify as described below:

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

0401 - BIOLOGY

You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed

0819 - ENGINEER

All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:

  • Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college

OR

  • Have a combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the 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 as an engineer.
  2. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test.
  3. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.
  4. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications

1301 - PHYSICAL SCIENCE

You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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 a 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, 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.

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.

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 in the Overview section.

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.

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 College Graduate hiring authority. Under the provisions of this hiring authority, category rating, veterans’ preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section. All qualified applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration, and you may be subject to assessments during the selection process (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.).

NOTE:  Selection priority for Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Plan (ICTAP) eligibles does not apply.


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