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Environmental Protection Specialist (TCF)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

Environmental Protection Specialists play a central role in planning and administering environmental programs. Environmental protection programs deal with the environmental impacts of human activities on air, land, water and other media

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/07/2026 to 05/18/2026
Salary
$50,460 - $97,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Location
Grand Junction, CO
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
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
Yes
Announcement number
CBSU-12954359-26-TS
Control number
868284500

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Duties

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The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Duties included but not limited to:

  • The trainee administers the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) program and is responsible for management of GEMS activities and internal reporting activities.
  • The trainee advises senior level management officials within the facility on the status of environmental programs and recommends changes in the design of facility work programs to meet new environmental requirements.
  • The trainee interacts with federal, state, and local environmental agencies with respect to facility environmental issues.
  • The trainee independently schedules and leads environmental audits to identify and evaluate program implementation and compliance activities.
  • The trainee conducts site inspections, collects data, reviews documents, analyzes evidence, evaluates results, writes reports, recommending corrective action or procedures for compliance, and coordinating with VA officials.
  • The trainee trains other employees and lower grade environmental staff, providing instruction on a variety of subjects related to specific and specialized environmental topics. The trainee adapts various available media to fit special and unique training requirements and participates in the development of novel or innovative environmental training and promotion activities.
  • The trainee participates in the facility GEMS committee.
Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not available
Position Description Title/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist (TCF)/PD99441S and PD99442S

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/18/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below:

GS-7
Specialized Experience: To be creditable for this position at the GS-07 level, applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience for this position includes but is not limited to having knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of work relating to environmental protection programs. Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations. Knowledge of one or more environmental fields (biology, ecology, chemistry, hydrology, environmental law, or statistics). Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing air emissions, hazardous materials, non-hazardous and hazardous waste, oil spills, water quality, and the storage of regulated substances. (E.G., petroleum products, chemicals, and wastes). OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute specialized experience with education. To be creditable through education at the GS-07 level, applicants must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. OR,

Combination: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification for this position at the GS-07 level. Only graduate education more than the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for this position at the GS-09 level.

GS-9
Specialized Experience: To be creditable for this position at the GS-09 level, applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience for this position includes but is not limited to….Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of work relating to environmental protection programs. Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations. Knowledge of one or more environmental fields (biology, ecology, chemistry, hydrology, environmental law, or statistics). Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing air emissions, hazardous materials, non-hazardous and hazardous waste, oil spills, water quality, and the storage of regulated substances. (E.G., petroleum products, chemicals, and wastes). Knowledge in collecting environmental data, verifying results, and discuss technical aspects of he work with scientists, engineers, and other environmental experts.OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute specialized experience with education. To be creditable through education at the GS-09 level, applicants must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.OR,

Combination: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification for this position at the GS-09 level. Only graduate education more than the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for this position at the GS-09 level.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
  • Project Management
  • Reading Comprehension


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; religions; 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements: The work may require some physical effort (e.g., walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle).

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.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

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.. 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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The VA is in the city of Grand Junction, which is the largest city on Colorado's Western Slope. Close to CO National Monument and Grand Mesa, the area offers breathtaking red rock scenery ideal for year around outdoor adventure. The area is one of Colorado's largest food producers and is also referred to as Colorado's wine-hub, creating an ideal opportunity to have fresh farm-to-table dining. Grand Junction offers lots of opportunities to enhance work-life balance making it an ideal location to start a career, raise a family, or ease into retirement.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). That's why we created the Technical Career Field (TCF) Program - one of the largest training programs at VA. TCF positions equip professionals (including veterans) with the specialized knowledge they need to support the delivery of quality health care for our Nation's veterans.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
719-227-4600
Email
V19USAJOBS@VA.GOV
Address
VA Western Colorado Health Care System
2121 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
US

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