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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Summary

This position serves in the Safety and Security Unit (SSU), which is responsible for providing oversight and technical consultation on all environmental, health, safety and security issues with the goal of providing and ensuring a safe and healthful environment for employees and visitors of the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/05/2026 to 03/11/2026
Salary
$107,301 to - $139,493 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Ames, IA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MP-12898436-26-VS
Control number
859936500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted only from current permanent USDA employees with competitive status, CTAP/RPL eligibles, and Farm Service Agency permanent county employees.

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Duties

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  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Reviews, analyzes, and interprets environmental laws, regulations, standards, policies, guidelines, and Executive Orders to identify current and potential impacts on operations.
  • Serves as the primary NCAH liaison for environmental regulatory issues.
  • Creates and submits to appropriate regulatory agencies environmental permit applications, reports, and plans.
  • Develops Statements of Work to contract for environmental sampling and analysis.
  • Monitors, assesses and maintains records of operational and facility data necessary to prove compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability requirements.
  • Evaluates disposal and discharge requests for environmental regulatory compliance and potential environmental impact.
  • Creates and implements all program elements required to ensure NCAH conformance to the environmental management directives and policies as detailed in federal environmental and greening Executive Orders.
  • Reviews proposed facility construction plans, specifications, and project documents.
  • Develops and provides training in areas of expertise such as spill prevention and environmental management systems to NCAH personnel or others as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
  • Work requires some agility, dexterity, and personal strength to move moderately heavy (up to 50 pounds) objects and climb ladders.
  • May be exposure to the risks and hazards of work environments and conditions requiring special safety precautions and clothing such as during spill or emergency response.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

  • Creating and submitting environmental permits, applications, reports, or plans.
  • Developing policies and procedures to ensure timely submission of permits, plans, and applications.
  • Developing spill response plans and programs, and responding to hazardous materials spills.
  • Leading or coordinating project teams and directing work of others.
Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.
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 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 position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL, eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

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.

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements. Your resume must address experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12898436

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