Summary
The Permitting Council and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) are partnering on cross-government hiring actions for Environmental Protection Specialists in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and important environmental reviews and authorizations. These mission critical positions will ensure agencies assess, protect and improve environmental quality; control pollution; remedy environmental damage; and ensure compliance with environmental laws.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties
The Federal government is hiring Environmental Protection Specialist tasked with providing technical guidance and direction to federal, state, or local stakeholders on environmental regulation, policy and strategy related to U.S. infrastructure projects. Environmental Protection Specialist duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assisting in the development of guides and other compliance tools as required to assist in the preparation of environmental review documentation and efficient program execution.
- Managing significant environmental, technical and scientific projects from inception to completion.
- Ensuring consistency with various laws, regulations, Executive Orders and guidelines related to the protection of natural, environmental, cultural, and social resources (e.g. National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act; the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and other applicable laws).
- Reviewing studies, analytical reports, and other project-related documentation prepared by applicants and their consultants submitted in accordance with environmental policies and procedures.
- Ensuring timely preparation, accuracy, and consistency of environmental analyses and related decision documents, such as Environmental Assessments /Findings of No Significant Impact and Environmental Impact Statements/Records of Decision for complex, novel, and/or controversial agency proposals.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
- You must be able to pass a background investigation and/or obtain and hold a security clearance as determined by the hiring agency.
- Some positions may require a pre-employment drug test and/or random drug testing during the period of employment.
- Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment(s), if required
- New employees must serve a one year probationary period.
- Must provide resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply).
- Telework/Remote opportunities will vary based on the hiring agency and the agency's remote/virtual work policy.
- This position may be designated as included in a bargaining unit depending on the hiring agency.
- Some positions may require financial disclosure filing upon appointment and may be required to file annually.
- Recruitment and/or relocation incentives will depend on the hiring agency and may or may not be available.
- Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- You must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
- Location: Some agencies may have in-person work with or without telework options, and some may have remote (virtual/work-from-home) positions. Be sure to get clarification from the hiring agency about the duty location and remote or telework policies that apply for each job you consider.
Qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification/ Specialized Experience requirements as noted below.
You qualify for the GS-11 level if you possess one of the following:
You must possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:
- Assisting with the review and/or inspection of activities to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations;
- Working with stakeholders to facilitate environmental compliance activities; and
- Assisting with the preparation of reports or summaries of environmental assessments or reviews.
-OR-
You have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work. (NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to support your claim).
-OR-
You have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial or official) and your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the experience to support your claim.
You qualify for the GS-12 level if you possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:
- Providing technical guidance to stakeholders on the implementation of environmental compliance activities;
- Serving as a lead on projects to ensure adherence to plans and environmental regulations, policies and/or guidelines; and
- Preparing reports based on the evaluation of environmental assessments and its impact to an organization.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.
Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.
Education
If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
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.
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.
To be considered for this position, you must complete all the required steps in the process, including the application, resume submission, assessment questionnaire, and online assessments. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- External Awareness
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Public Planning
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
- Technical Competence
Application Questionnaire: Applicants must complete a training-and-experience-based questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting minimum qualifications for the position move on to the next phase of the assessment process.
Online Assessment: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to this position. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment. Applicants submitting complete application packages and completing the online assessment will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the agency's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories:
- Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
- Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job;
- Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position.
The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). This position is not considered scientific/professional. Veteran preference eligibles will receive selection consideration before non-preference eligibles within each quality category.
Veterans' Preference: For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
Selection process: Your application and assessment materials will be reviewed, and if you are found qualified, your application will be sent to the hiring managers of the participating agencies for review and possible interview. Participating agencies will make offers directly to applicants.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package by 11:59 PM (ET) 07/09/2024, which includes the following:
- Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed.
- A complete application questionnaire and the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment.
- If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
- Cover Letter (optional)
- Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):
- Are you qualifying based on education?
- Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed.
- Are you claiming veterans' preference?
- Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or other notice form.
- If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other required documentation based on your preference.
- If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date you submit your application. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. For more information visit Feds Hire Vets.
- Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
- A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
- Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title;
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
- Agency; and
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
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
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12429298
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
- If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Based on your application responses, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Your online assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessment.
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making tentative job offers, agencies will conduct suitability/security background investigations.
Once a job offer is extended to you by any agency at a certain grade/promotion potential and you accept, decline, or do not respond to any contact from an agency, you are not guaranteed another offer, but may receive additional offers from other agencies.
Future consideration: The list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies for 12 months. You will have an opportunity to opt in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with additional agencies other than those listed in this specific announcement. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore job opportunity announcements.
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