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:
- Overseeing environmental programs, as well as, developing and implementing environmental regulations, standards, policies, and operating guidance to meet agency mission.
- Advising on Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, documentation and reporting requirements and make recommendations significantly changing, interpreting, or expanding important environmental policies and programs.
- Developing criteria and guidelines for the evaluation and manage the preparation of environmental impact statements and environmental assessments.
- Resolving post-approval environmental matters and designs mechanisms, control programs and projects for mitigating adverse environmental impacts or avoiding adverse impacts to environmental, energy, natural resource, archaeological or land use and monitoring their implementation.
- Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and other environmental statutes, regulations, and executive orders that apply nationwide to all program areas.
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.
- 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-13 level if you possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:
- Serving as technical advisor to stakeholders on environmental laws, regulations, and/or executive orders to ensure project or program compliance;
- Planning and implementing initiatives to meet environmental management, protection, and/or sustainability needs; and
- Conducting environmental reviews or assessments and prepares reports or other documentation on the associated impact or issues.
You qualify for the GS-14 level if you possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:
- Developing plans and guidelines for the evaluation and reporting of environmental reviews or assessments;
- Overseeing the implementation of laws, regulations, and/or executive orders for the management of environmental programs for an organization; and
- Advising stakeholders on regulations, policies, strategies that advance environmental management, protection, and/or sustainability objectives.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
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 and assessment questionnaire. 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:
- Partnering
- Policy
- Public Planning
- 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.
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/.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating assessments may also result in your removal from consideration.
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) on 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.
- Cover Letter (optional)
- Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):
- 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.
How to Apply
A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM EST on 07/09/2024 to receive consideration. To begin your online application:
- Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12429299
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process.
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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