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Environmental Health Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Phoenix Area Office, OEHE | Division of Environmental Health Services
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The specialist is responsible for independently planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive environmental health program on the assigned reservations. The Specialist performs Environmental Health Services activities in accordance with Part 3, Chapter 11, Environmental Health Services, Indian Health Service Manual and other written OEH&E guidelines. This position is located in San Carlos, AZ.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 02/13/2024
Closed date: 03/05/2024
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
No
Salary
$49,025 - $77,955 per year

GS-07: $49,025 - $63,733 | GS-09: $59,966 - $77,955

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Promotion potential
9
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Term
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
IHS-24-PX-12310076-ESEP/MP
Control number
776536400

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Duties

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  • Assist in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive environmental health program at assigned duty station.
  • Under supervision, the specialist will conduct comprehensive environmental health surveys of all IHS, BIA and tribal facilities including schools, head starts, day care centers, gaming facilities, health care, recreational facilities, industrial operations and drug rehabilitation facilities on assigned reservations.
  • Under the guidance of District and Area staff, the specialist will build tribal capacity to manage environmental health hazards in their community by assisting with the development of environmental health and occupational safety policies, procedures, regulations, employee training programs and public education materials.
  • Under guidance of District and Area staff, the specialist serves as a technical consultant to tribal program managers and leaders by assisting them with environmental health hazard identification.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must pass pre-employment examination.
Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

On-call hours or standby duty may be required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Education: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by National Environmental Health Accreditation Council https://www.nehspac.org/about-ehac/accredited-programs-ehac-undergraduate-programs/ at the time the degree was obtained. Must submit transcripts.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:GS-0601-07:Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Utilizing the Environmental Health references, guidelines, policies, regulations, precedents, in conducting work activity and apply these resources appropriately to specific cases or problems; working with word processing, spreadsheets, database and PowerPoint presentation, statistical analysis, GIS and other software used in the environmental health field; possess the basic understanding of biology, microbiology, chemistry and scientific methods and be able to apply that knowledge to public health issues; compiling and presenting scientific & public health material to community leaders and the general public in an effective manner; and planning and carrying out work activities, this skill would be demonstrated through current or past work activity or by completion of advanced course work culminating in a degree;

OR

Completion of one (1) year of graduate-level education

OR

Superior academic achievement (SAA) in a field that is directly related to the work of this position (see below for SAA):

  • (Class Standing (Upper third of graduating class), OR
  • G.P.A. - (3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their 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 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 (Transcripts are required for this option), OR
  • Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society - These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.
OR

Possess a combination of education and experience that when combined, fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for the GS-07 grade level. Only education in excess of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-7 when using the combination option. (Transcripts are required for this option)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:GS-0601-09:

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks; Independently conducting environmental health facility surveys, special environmental health investigations, developing effective environmental health training resources, and conducting environmental health/injury prevention data analysis are required elements; working knowledge of Environmental Health practices for professional registration from a recognized entity like National Environmental Health Association (NEHA); working with the policies and procedures of the Division of Environmental Health Services; utilizing the Environmental Health references, guidelines, policies, regulations, precedents in conducting work activity and apply these resources appropriately to specific cases or problems; and working with word processing, spreadsheets, database and PowerPoint presentation, statistical analysis, GIS and other software used in the environmental health field;

OR

Completion of two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's equivalent graduate degree, in a field that is directly related to the work of this position.

OR

A combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:
  1. To meet the program requirements, you must have obtained a qualifying degree to include an Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, or Doctorate degree from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous two years. Preference eligible veterans, who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation, begin their two year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years from the date on which the degree or certification was completed; OR
  2. Individuals who will obtain a qualifying Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within 90 days from the date of the close of this announcement may meet the program requirements. Applicants must provide proof of degree conferral prior to appointment.
Pathways Participant Agreement: All Recent Graduates are required to sign the Pathways Program Participant Agreement which outlines program requirements and non-competitive conversion eligibility. Successful completion of the Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist professional credential exam is preferred upon entry. Candidates must be able to obtain this credential within two years of accepting the position.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign a one (1) year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive.

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-09 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

How you will be evaluated

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

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions.
You will be further evaluated/rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions to determine your competency in the following.

  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


You will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the assessment questionnaires. If after reviewing your resume and responses to the assessment questions, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration.

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12310076. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 03/05/2024, to be considered.

Indian Health Service

Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Agency contact information

Chelsea Banteah
Phone
6023645219
Email
chelsea.banteah@ihs.gov
Address
Phoenix OEHE Group
40 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
US

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