Summary
This Title 42 position is located in the Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Public Health and Environmental Systems Division in Durham, NC. About the Office of Research and Development.
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. Partial work-from-home flexibilities may be authorized.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens
Duties
The Public Health & Environmental Systems Division (PHESD), Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Office of Research and Development (ORD) is located in Durham, North Carolina, and operated under the supervision of the Director. The Division focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy and safe communities. PHESD develops and evaluates measurements, methods, and models to better understand and quantify exposures and their effects on public health and the environment. The Division conducts innovative research on characterizing human and ecological exposures and understanding the impacts of these exposures on both human health and ecological integrity. PHESD utilizes a systems-based approach to organize current knowledge regarding human and ecological exposure to environmental pollutants. The Division translates information into decision-making frameworks
that integrate human and ecological, multimedia, socio-economic and cumulative risk considerations to improve human well-being and the sustainability of the built and natural environment. PHESD contributes to the understanding of the impact of pollutant exposures on the health and wellbeing of populations, communities, and individuals, determines health effects within the context of modifiable community and individual characteristics, such as social and economic factors, the built environment, prevalent disease, and non-pollutant stressors on exposure, and provides knowledge for public health action. PHESD also provides the impact of ecosystems goods and services on public health and ecologic health. PHESD interfaces with ORD and other EPA offices and other Federal and nonfederal organizations relative to Division programs and services.
In order to provide leadership, the incumbent will require the scientific skills and abilities that meet the challenges of advancing the science. The incumbent for this position must have the highest scientific capability to innovate and lead the advancement of computational toxicology. Specific responsibilities of this position include:
- Providing professional, scientific, and technical leadership and direction to both the EPA at large and the professional staff working in the Division.
- Serving as the Division Director who leads a technical and complex science research and development program.
- Collaborating with both internal and external partners in order to develop a government-wide strategy on environmental justice.
- Establishing and maintaining professional relationships with internal EPA, external government agencies, foreign governments, private industry, and academic partners in order to collaborate on projects and programs that have shared interest to all parties.
- Participating in and on conferences, seminars, meetings, and other gatherings in order to stay abreast of the novel and unique science happening in the related science fields.
- Ensuring the dissemination of research products is conducted in a timely and effective manner and that it reaches the appropriate user communities.
- Overseeing the development, assessment, and improvement of financial management control systems to safeguard programs and achieve mission results.
- Performing supervisory personnel duties for subordinate managers and staff.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
- Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
- EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the Title 42 position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
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Qualifications
To meet qualifications you must have a doctoral degree in one of the following: biology, physical science, public health or a related field of sciences and substantive (technical operations, administrative or managerial) experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to this position. You must be an internationally recognized authority and leader on complex problems of concern to EPA’s research. You must be recognized internationally as an outstanding scientist and are highly sought after as an advisor and consultant in your field, as well as in other fields outside your area of expertise. Your reputation as a scientific leader is such that you may also serve as a recruiting attraction for recent graduates who seek opportunities to work under your guidance to benefit from your critical judgement and scientific leadership.
You must have experience in developing scientific assessments on human health and environmental risk of chemicals or stressors; developing exposure assessment approaches in community based studies; and developing strategies to identify and mitigate environmental justice issues.
As evidence of your qualifications and scientific contributions, you may also: 1) be regularly sought out for consultation on difficult problems in your field of expertise; 2) serving in leadership roles on task forces/committees; 3) have received prestigious awards for research accomplishments; and 4) have demonstrated experience building coalitions and relationships with partners and customers to address strategic planning or research planning for an organization in the context of public health and environmental assessments.
Education
You must have a doctoral degree in a scientific discipline related to CPHEA’s mission to qualify for this position.
Biology: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.
Health Science: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in the following: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences related to the work of this position.
Physical Science: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.
This position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities including expanded telework, remote work, and/or flexible work schedules. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with EPA’s Workplace Flexibilities policy. If selected for this position, you may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF): As a federal employee, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer, including EPA. Learn more: pslf.gov
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This position is being filled through the Title 42 hiring authority. Your resume and required documents will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic qualifications requirements. You will be evaluated on the basis of meeting the qualifications stated in this announcement. In determining the degree to which candidates possess the required or desired knowledge, skills, and abilities, an evaluation panel will consider related experience, education, training, awards, and professional references. The evaluation panel will rate you on the following criteria:
- scientific expertise;
- leadership and management;
- communications; and
- networking and collaboration.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Documents to be submitted online:
NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.
The following documents are required for all applicants; failure to provide this information will result in your application being ruled incomplete.
-- Resume/curriculum vitae - State your education and experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. A resume is acceptable, but a curriculum vitae is preferred.
-- Statement of interest - Address the following criteria within a limit of four (4) pages total:
- Scientific expertise: describe your achievements in the area of research applicable to this position, including awards or other recognition and invitations to present or speak;
- Leadership and management: describe your experience leading and managing scientific research programs;
- Communications: describe your experience communicating scientific and technical information verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences; and
- Networking and collaboration: describe your experience building and maintaining relationships and collaborating with other scientists or organizations.
-- Transcripts - Attach unofficial or official transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned. NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.
IF EDUCATION WAS COMPLETED AT A FOREIGN INSTITUTION: You must submit an equivalency evaluation with your application as described here: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
The following information is requested, but not required at the time of application:
- The names and contact information of three references.
- Compensation requirements.
- How you heard about this vacancy.
To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS.
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.
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.
How to Apply
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.
For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.
The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA’s Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process:
• If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you.
• If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official’s office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA’s National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at disabilityaccommodations@epa.gov.
• If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you.
Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Next steps
It is your responsibility to check your USAJOBS account for application status information. You can track the progress of your application via your USAJOBS account by clicking the Track This Application link. Your USAJOBS application status will appear in your profile if your application was received successfully; if your submission was not received, the application status will show as unavailable. After the announcement closes, the Human Resources Office will conduct a review of your application package. If your application is complete and you meet basic qualification requirements, it will be forwarded to the Selecting Official. Interviews are arranged through the Selecting Official. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement. Your application status will change in USAJOBS when updates are available for each step of the process.
NOTE: We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.