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Environmental Protection Specialist (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center

Summary

As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will advise Center management and personnel on environmental laws, policies and processes; and administer and oversee programs or projects that protect the environment, control pollution, remedy damage, and ensure compliance with laws regulations, and policies.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/13/2026 to 03/17/2026
Salary
$106,437 to - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Wallops Island, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
GSFC-26-DE-12903416-SL
Control number
860531800

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Duties

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  • Communicate compliance status and issues, coordinate with Center and Agency organizations, and collaborate with external stakeholders.
  • Perform technical and administrative duties to help ensure Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) remains in full compliance with all environmental regulatory permitting and compliance requirements in program areas.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Division, Directorate, and Center staff, contractors, regulatory agencies, other Federal agencies, and internal/external stakeholders.
  • Serve as subject matter expert on Federal, State, and Local environmental permitting and compliance requirements as they apply to Federal Facilities and to GSFC operations and activities.
  • Determine applicable environmental requirements, and assist NASA programs, project managers and contractors to implement cost effective requirements while minimizing impacts to mission.
  • Solicit input from NASA programs, contractors, tenants, and customers, to develop and present solutions to regulatory agencies to protect NASA's interests and resources, while preserving the integrity of GSFC environmental protection efforts.
  • Participate in partnering meetings with regulators, contractors, and GSFC tenants and partners to resolve environmental permitting and compliance issues. Negotiate with regulators on behalf of NASA.
  • Identify impacts and risks to GSFC projects, programs, or activities; provide options and alternatives for action to mitigate adverse impact
  • Provide recommendations for environmental policy and legislative changes, research requirements, perform technical evaluations, and make compliance recommendations.
  • Communicate issues/problems; coordinate assignments, actionable events, milestones, deadlines, and time frames for completion.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

  • Applying principles, methods, and practices in areas related to environmental science, physical science and disciplines sufficient to manage air emissions program;
  • Serving as a subject matter expert on federal, state, and/or local environmental permitting and compliance requirements related to environmental protection;
  • Implementing compliance programs in one of the following areas: petroleum storage, drinking water, wastewater, or storm water.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.


Probationary Period:

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;

  • the needs and interests of the agency;

  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Compliance
  • Compliance Inspection
  • Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Competence


NASA considers 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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

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