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Physical Scientist (Environmental)

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within Prevention and Abatement (PP&A) (EP), Environmental, Fish and Wildlife (E), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

A successful candidate in the Physical Scientist (Environmental) position will serve as the agency lead and technical expert on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and recognized authority regarding environmental land action liabilities, risks, and responsibilities.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/29/2024 to 06/07/2024
Salary
$131,445 to - $170,881 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Portland, OR
Vancouver, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
24-BPA-40218-12430647-DH
Control number
793364900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice.

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Duties

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As a Physical Scientist (Environmental), you will:

  • Direct and manage Environmental Liability Assessment Audits of off-site facilities for the potential treatment, storage, or disposal of BPA toxic and hazardous wastes.
  • Make decisions on behalf of the Agency regarding the acceptability of facilities for receipt of BPA wastes while minimizing potential CERCLA liability.
  • Serve as Agency representative and technical lead during interactions and negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies regarding the scope of evaluations, remedial actions, and requirements for BPA CERCLA sites.
  • Serve as senior technical lead, regulatory liaison, and management advisor for environmental land action liabilities, risks, and responsibilities for all BPA facilities.
  • Independently responsible for the technical leadership and management of the environmental lands program, including establishing, developing, and negotiating environmental responsibilities and requirements in the acquisition, sale, lease, permitting, or easement of real property.
  • Direct and manage the conduct of environmental land audits for the acquisition and sale of real property.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • This position does not support remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 3 days per pay period.
  • Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.
  • After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards.
  • A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work.
  • Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

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

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.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as:1) implementing scientific expertise in the coordination or resolution of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) issues; 2) providing technical advice, and leadership on the management of environmental liabilities; AND 3) coordinating pollution prevention and abatement activities with stakeholders.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

Additional information

About the Position - Vancouver
This position is located in Vancouver, WA, a splendid place to live because of its picturesque downtown area full of trendy shops, delicious restaurants, and exclusive breweries. There are several breathtaking nature parks, miles of bike trails, and amazing panoramic mountain views! Vancouver is the perfect place for anyone who loves to be outdoors and really enjoys nature!

About the Position - Portland
This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town!

EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy
Veterans Information: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/disabled/
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
If you are a current federal employee, appointed under the direct-hire authority, you will be given a new appointment.

BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Physical Scientist (Environmental) positions in the 1301 series. Under the DHA, all applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement, at the grade level they are applying, will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement to be referred for consideration.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):



You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (06/07/2024) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12430647

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