Clarification from the agency

Open to Current VA Employees Only

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The incumbent serves in a developmental capacity at the GS-11 level. Key functions will be similar to those described at the full performance level of the target position. However, during the developmental assignment, full performance range and level of selected functions will not be completely delegated to the employee until proper orientation and training have been completed and the incumbent has demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the work at the full performance level.

- Establishes principles and concepts of environmental protection work at a routine level.
- Standard environmental procedures, inspection techniques, compliance practices, and basic regulatory requirements that apply to most situations encountered.
- Policies, operations, work practices, and environmental parameters found within regulated industries or government facilities sufficient to obtain information, verify compliance, and recommend routine actions.
- Incumbent posses basic environmental science principles (e.g., biology, chemistry, ecology, hydrology, radiation physics, environmental law, real property, statistics).
- Data-gathering methods and standard analytical techniques used to assess factual environmental information.
- Effective oral and written communication methods to prepare reports, provide briefings, or deliver basic environmental training.
- Supervisor provides assignment objectives, priorities, and deadlines.
- Recurring assignments are carried out independently within established guidelines, precedents, and procedural frameworks.
- The incumbent resolves routine problems using clear precedents; unfamiliar issues or deviations requiring significant adjustments are referred to the supervisor or technical specialists.
- Completed work is evaluated for compliance with policy requirements and technical accuracy; methods used are not typically reviewed in detail.

• Program Management and Regulatory Compliance
• Environmental Controls, Planning, and Performance Management
• Training, Communication, and Stakeholder Engagement
• Project Support, Contracting, and Technical Expertise
• .NEPA, Cultural Resources, and Historic Preservation Compliance
• Leadership, Coordination, and Independent Program Oversight
• Environmental Compliance, Regulatory Oversight, and NEPA
• Environmental Planning, Policy Development, and Project Support

Promotion Potential: 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.
Work Schedule: Full time, Monday- Friday, 07:30am to 4:00pm
Travel: May travel up to 25%
Telework: Not authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist 497-03519-LS #03505-LS
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/06/2026

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. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

• For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7.
• For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9.

Specialized Experience for GS 09 Grade Level, PD #:497-03515-LS
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been at the GS-07 grade level or higher, or an equivalent level of responsibility). Examples of creditable specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Knowledge of administrative functions that include administration, human resources management, budget and finance, management and program analysis, office support services, document control, logistics.

Specialized Experience for GS 11 Grade Level, PD #:497-03505-LS
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: managing, supervising, administering, and advising facility employees and leadership, develops, implements and manages environmental goals, policy, and procedural documentation, identify and implement training, policies, operational requirements and engineering controls needed to comply with evolving and dynamic environmental regulatory requirements, establishes project goals and objectives, provide findings and recommendations.

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

• Administration and Management
• Customer Service
• Organizational Awareness
• Planning and Evaluating
• Quality Management

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.

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

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/.

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.