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Life Scientist/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Region 10, Laboratory Services & Applied Science Division, Environmental Characterization Branch. About Region 10: Region 10

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
05/30/2023 to 06/09/2023
Salary
$76,860 to - $119,760 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Seattle, WA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel occasionally 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
CIN-ZX-ODH-2023-0018
Control number
728402500

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Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Review Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) and Conduct Quality System Reviews (QSR) and Technical System Audits (TSA) for the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programs.

- Provide Technical Guidance, Training and Consultation on All Aspects of EPA Quality Assurance (QA) Requirements.

- Provide air monitoring related technical assistance and advice on the operation of state, local and tribal agencies' ambient air monitoring networks and programs within EPA Region 10 including data analysis, analytical methods, sampling techniques, special studies, and impacts of pollutants, etc.

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

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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.

#LI-Onsite

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-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as drafting quality reviews, audit reports, presentations, and correspondence and/or applying guidance concerning air monitoring to field and/or laboratory activities;
- OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 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.

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 applying generally accepted quality assurance concepts, principles, methods, practices, and skills to environmental assessment (e.g., field and laboratory activities, model application and development, technology development) to design, plan, implement, and/or  assess a cost effective quality assurance system.

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

1. Knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices of biology, physical science, chemistry, sufficient for critical inquiry, problem solving and environmental assessment.

2. Knowledge of Quality Assurance (QA) management theories, practices, methods, analysis and evaluation techniques sufficient to identify areas for improvement and develop and implement solutions.

3. Skill in written communication.

4. Skill in oral communication.

5. Knowledge of analytical methods and associated QA/Quality Control (QC) requirements used in the environmental field.

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:

0401 - General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series:

A. Degree: 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.

1301 - General Physical Science Series:

A. 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-

B. 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

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

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.

Although the Service Type indicated above is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities.

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 (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.). If you are selected, we will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the qualification requirements.


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