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Environmental Protection Specialist (NEPA Coordinator)

Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Upper Great Plains, Environment, B0400
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the WAPA-UGP-Upper Great Plains. As an Environmental Protection Specialist (NEPA Coordinator), you will act as a NEPA Compliance and Document Management Coordinator, Environmental Protection Specialist (NEP A Coordinator). You will plan, implement, advise, and participate in Upper Great Plains environmental protection operations and activities.


**THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION. YOU MUST REPORT TO ONE OF THE DUTY LOCATIONS LISTED IN THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT**

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/08/2025 to 10/20/2025
Salary
$73,939 to - $115,213 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Folsom, CA
Lakewood, CO
Loveland, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational, as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-WB-00571-12812298-DE
Control number
847756500

Duties

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As an Environmental Protection Specialist (NEPA Coordinator), some of your duties will include but are not limited to:

  • Serve as project manager for environmental planning activities within the Western Area Power Administration, Upper Great Plains region.
  • Serve as the Department of Energy's NEPA Document Manager and completes project administrative records.
  • As part of NEPA compliance for regional construction and maintenance activities, and interconnect requests, prepares or reviews environmental impact statements (EIS) and environmental assessments (EA), and Categorical Exclusions (CX)
  • Advise management about assigned environmental quality, preservation, and enhancement activities.
  • Collaborate with State, local, Tribal, and other Federal government agencies, private industry, contractors, and public to ensure compliance with environmental standards and requirements.
THIS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL POSITION WITH THE FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL AT THE GS-12.

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/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • A valid State driver's license is required. Incumbent must be able to operate a government vehicle and obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification. Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
  • Same day and/or overnight travel up to 20% may be required.
  • The wear of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required.
  • The incumbent may be required to work during inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
  • Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. The experience need not have been in the federal government.

To qualify for the GS-11:
Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. This experience includes ALL the following:

  • Providing advice on natural resources management and protection, regulatory compliance, and project review and planning.
  • Interpreting environmental protection regulations for endangered species, cultural, environmental justice, clean air, clean water, and other requirements for programs and activities.
  • Preparing environmental impact statements (EIS), environmental assessments (EA), supplemental analyses (SA), categorical exclusions (CX), and other documentation to implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Three (3) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

A combination of education and experience to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To qualify for the GS-12:

Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. This experience includes ALL the following:

  • Applying environmental laws and regulations to develop and administer environmental planning, compliance, and quality assurance programs.
  • Evaluating proposed and alternative actions, alternative mitigation measures, and recommends appropriate environmental impact mitigation strategies
  • Preparing environmental impact statements (EIS), environmental assessments (EA), supplemental analyses (SA), categorical exclusions (CX), and other documentation to implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
"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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is primarily sedentary but may require visits to the field to conduct studies, which may involve some climbing, walking, stooping, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in an office setting with occasional field trips to project sites. Fieldwork may expose the employee to adverse weather, high temperatures, rugged terrain and walking.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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 all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. You may submit a copy of your informal transcripts denoting coursework and degree earned; however, if selected, a final job offer will not be extended until you submit your formal transcripts.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov.
  • Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
  • If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
  • Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this position is the GS-12.
  • The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
  • This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. 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. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related 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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
  • Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
  • Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement is based on the Rest of US salary and will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
ADDITIONAL PAY INFO:
These locations are under the Rest of US salary:
Billings, MT; Bismarck, ND; Ft Peck, MT; Huron, SD; Watertown, SD; Montrose, CO; Salt Lake City, UT:
GS-11: $73,939-96,116/GS-12: $88,621-$115,213
Lakewood, CO/Loveland, CO:GS-11: $82,440-$107,167/GS-12: $98,811-$128,460
Phoenix, AZ: GS-11: $77,343-$100,541/GS-12: $92,702-120,518
Folsom, CA: GS-11: $81,960-$106,543/GS-12: $98,236-$127,712

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required competencies. SMEs will review ONLY the first two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume).

The competencies for the Environmental Protection Specialist (NEPA Coordinator) are:
  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Documentation


Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/20/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12812298

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