Environmental Engineer, GS-0819-13 Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 24-2846-HQ-MLJ-DHA Department U.S. Coast Guard
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/3/2024 Close Date 6/28/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics (CG-4), Office of Environmental Management (CG-47), Washington, DC.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens. Subject position(s) will be filled through Direct Hire Authority: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/ All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for further consideration. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating, Veterans Preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

You will serve as a subject matter expert for a wide range of environmental compliance programs, including identifying environmental liabilities related to current and former Coast Guard (CG) sites, assisting the site restoration program covering CG owned and formerly owned properties, general compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to clean air, water, and land resources, hazardous materials and hazardous waste management, and a variety of other laws and regulations covering support or maintenance activities or operational missions of the CG. 

Being a CG civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team. Typical work assignments include:

  • Establishing nationwide policy for environmental liability estimates to be developed and kept current under federal accounting standards; making recommendations for efficiency and clarity of program and policy.
  • Assisting with the CG's Environmental Compliance and Restoration program for current and former CG properties worldwide; assisting with project, technical, and budget priorities within available funding to manage discovery, investigation, and cleanup/management of contaminated sites on current and previously owned CG property in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and CG policy.
  • Providing policy to headquarters and field components performing facility engineering projects in identifying and addressing site environmental hazards such as asbestos and lead-based paint or other contamination which poses a threat to human health and safety or inhibit the completion of the project and supports the assessment and documentation of sites involved with real property acquisition or divestiture.
  • Providing contracting officers representative support for Headquarters’ and field hazards response program management initiatives as needed in the areas of writing statements of work, developing cost estimates, reviewing contract proposals, and working with contracting officers.
  • Acting as a CG's subject matter expert in environmental compliance, hazardous materials and waste management, restoration, and liabilities management; providing advice and guidance on environmental compliance management matters and participating in briefings to higher levels of management at CG Headquarters and the DHS.
  • Monitoring changing environmental laws, regulations, and policies to determine CG requirements for compliance, and developing implementation plans and technical directives for new compliance requirements.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements Qualifications for Environmental Engineer Series, GS-0819:

Degree: professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1. Professional registration--Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. 2. Written Test- Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in- Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. 3. Specified academic courses--Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A. 4. Related curriculum--Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level. 

GS-13 - Applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service.  Examples of specialized experience include: 

  • Evaluating environmental programs for compliance with federal, state, and regional/local requirements and department/agency policies;
  • Conducting environmental audits and site assessments to ensure compliance to environmental laws and regulations;
  • Providing recommendations on technical environmental engineering studies, site investigation reports and other pertinent documents;
  • Developing and organizing policy guidance to manage organizational environmental compliance, remediation and liabilities, and sustainment/environmental stewardship programs.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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, 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.

The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

This position does have a positive education requirement. You must provide your transcripts to verify your education.  If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at click here

Additional information

Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-372-0000. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation

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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(K)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; Disabled Veterans Leave; sick leave and paid federal holidays.  Other benefits may include:  flexible work schedules; telework; voluntary tuition assistance; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; voluntary credentialing; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.  DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and development as well as mentoring program opportunities.  For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “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.

We will review your résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be referred for consideration. The following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to perform this job:

  1. Knowledge and skill in applying, advanced theories, concepts, and principles practiced in the science of professional environmental engineering sufficient to apply state-of-the-art developments in engineering to resolve process engineering problems and to review plans, specifications, and analyses of environmental projects and to carry out the operation, maintenance, and modification of pollution abatement facilities.
  2. Knowledge of related disciplines (i.e., economics, environmental, civil engineering, construction, etc.).
  3. Knowledge of environmental remediation processes and techniques. 
  4. Skill in serving as contracting officer representative, including reviewing scopes of work and contract proposals, assisting with the management of contracts and contractors, preparing, devaluating cost estimates, and working with contracting officers.
  5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

1. Your resume

2. If you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), submit a copy of your agency notice, most recent performance rating and most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location. If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. To be considered eligible, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position. Please see ICTAP eligibility.

3. OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Please see here.

All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you are unable to submit your documents electronically, you may fax or mail the documents. A fax cover sheet will be provided to you from the system, with fax number and instructions to transmit the requested documents. The required documents will also be accepted by mail and must be received by the closing date of the announcement. The mailing address is COMMANDANT, ATTN OFFICE OF CIVILIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (JOBS), US COAST GUARD, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE STOP 7912, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7912.

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

Complete applications for this vacancy must be received on-line by 11:59p.m ET on the closing date of the announcement. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign in to USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire and submit the required documents to provide proof of qualifications. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you will be required to submit proof. See Required Documents section for more detail regarding a complete application package.

High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume and/or supporting documents may impact you or eliminate you from consideration.

If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members’ military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to you, the Help Desk listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. You must contact the Help Desk prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, excluding Federal holidays.

Agency contact information

USCG Applicant Support

Phone

866-656-6830

Fax

000-000-0000

Email

mgshelp@monster.com

Address

United States Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE
STOP 7120
Washington, District of Columbia 20593
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging the receipt of your application. USAJOBS no longer provides application status updates automatically. To check the status of your application, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Track this Application".

NOTE: Selectee(s) must be available to report to duty within 120 calendar days of the closing date of the announcement.

For more information on applying for federal employment click here.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.