Environmental Protection Specialist

Clarification from the agency

This position is open given to current, permanent Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center employees and it's associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

The listed duties below reflect the full performance level for this position.
Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing a GEMS program at the VA Healthcare System and coordinating the efforts of staff involved with GEMS to ensure that the GEMS is developed and implemented in accordance with VHA policy and guidance.
• Manages environmental programs such as (SPCC Plan, Storm Water Plan, P2 Plan, clean air and clean water, safe drinking water, asbestos and lead management and abatement, mercury reduction, etc.).
• Conducts internal gap analyses of GEMS. Issues reports of gap analyses and tracks the status of corrective and preventive actions. Reviews implementation of GEMS policy and procedures and reports on the status to the Chief, Facilities Management. Discusses deficiencies and necessary remedial action with appropriate VAMC staff, including top management.
• Develops, implements, and maintains effective programs for the identification, collection, and disposal of hazardous waste. Ensures that handling of all waste streams complies with federal, state, and local governmental laws and regulations.
• Advises management on how environmental policies, procedures, and systems will affect the operation of the hospital.
• Reviews how expansion, modification, closures of existing facilities and infrastructure, and new construction of structures and infrastructure will affect the environment and provides information that will minimize adverse impacts to human health and the environment and reduce facility vulnerability.
• Measures the effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommends to the Chief, Facilities Management, modifications to existing programs as needed to meet changing environmental requirements.
• Serves as an expert on issues related to environmental statutes, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Superfund, National Environmental Policy Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, etc.
• Participates in planning, organizing, implementing, and providing technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems. Assignments include, but are not limited to, industrial wastewater treatment and disposal; safe drinking water; treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste; release of hazardous material/spill response; air pollution control; environmental media permitting; toxic substances; and regulatory oversight.
• Provides technical expertise for the design, modification, operation, and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Evaluates and implements pollution prevention alternatives to reduce the generation of waste. 5. Manages response to environmental emergencies, including releases/spills of hazardous materials.
• Coordinates response to VA and external environmental audits, surveys, inspections, etc.
• Develops promotional and educational activities to promote stakeholder awareness of the Medical Center's environmental issues.

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: Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist/PD931720 and PD932900
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/24/2026.

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. 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.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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-9
Specialized Experience: 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:

• Experience assisting with environmental protection program activities such as hazardous waste and universal waste inspections, updating labels, maintaining compliance documentation, and supporting waste tracking.
• Experience collecting environmental data, maintaining records, and preparing basic reports under close supervision.
• Experience assisting with GEMS or other environmental management system activities, including maintaining binders, participating in meetings, and helping develop training materials.
• Experience communicating environmental information to staff through written notes, reports, or discussions, and participating in group activities or briefings.
  . OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree

or

2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and beyond one full year of graduate education.

GS-11
Specialized Experience: 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:

• Experience independently managing and implementing environmental programs, including GEMS, hazardous waste, SPCC, Storm Water, Pollution Prevention, Clean Air/Water, and Safe Drinking Water programs.
• Experience conducting inspections, audits, and environmental monitoring activities, including hazardous waste container checks, CEOC rounds, fuel tank inspections, and effluent testing.
• Experience advising leadership and staff on environmental policies, compliance issues, and environmental impacts of construction, modification, or operational changes.
• Experience developing environmental reports, training, and educational materials, and maintaining environmental records, databases, and compliance documentation.
• Experience collaborating with regulatory agencies, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and resolve environmental issues.

. OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

or

3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.M., if related. OR,
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond two full years of graduate education..

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.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Smoke-free Facility: All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities are smoke-free. Patients, visitors, and employees are not allowed to smoke in or near any facilities or on the grounds.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

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.

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