Summary
The Department of Transportation is seeking Environmental Protection Specialists. You will serve as the technical expert concerning environmental programs, activities, and analyses.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Announcement is for Federal Employees and as Direct Hire Public Notice for resumes. Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive status and VEOA, AND applications accepted from U.S. Citizens under Direct Hire Authority. The Veterans Preference and rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
This is a Bargaining unit position represented by NAGE (Local 2718).
Duties
As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will:
- Provide advice and expertise to DOT staff and leadership on climate change mitigation, , adaptation and environmental policy. Independently review environmental, climate, and transportation statutes, legislative and regulatory proposals, and executive orders related to the BIL.
- Serve as a technical subject matter expert on policy, laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and directives related to NEPA and OA’s project development processes, with a particular focus on projects funded under the BIL Advise stakeholders and Federal and State partner agencies on Federal responsibilities and the requirements of NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and Operating Administration’s regulations, policies, and guidance.
- Lead and/or advise stakeholders and partner agencies on integrating complex environmental and transportation planning processes and on other approaches to improve the linkages between planning and human and natural environmental issues. Ensure environmental laws are addressed and integrated into the NEPA decision-making process. Ensure the appropriate NEPA classification of a project, i.e., Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Participates in project-readiness and climate reviews of applications for new BIL grant programs, and reviews notice of funding opportunities to ensure adequate terms addressing climate change.
- Provide leadership and guidance on best practices for planning Elective Vehicle (EV) networking nationally to support the Department’s initiatives to connect communities, towns, businesses, planning agencies and partners on infrastructure projects. Serve as technical advisor on how to reduce carbon through policy directly related to EV and current fuel emissions.
- Review, manage, and make recommendations on the EV charging proposals for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula and Grant Programs. Build relationships and support programs and public-private partnerships to increase the speed of transitioning to EVs and deploying the supporting infrastructure.
- Draft key documents summarizing program strategy and accomplishments, technoeconomic analysis to inform EV activities and initiatives. Support and direct the modeling and analysis of vehicle charging infrastructure and electric grid integration. Communicate with researchers to address questions and issues that arise. Support the scoping of key demonstration and proof of concept for EV charging projects.
- Develop policy and conduct research and analysis on environmental issues in transportation relevant to climate change and related to the BIL. Encourage modal administrations to adopt innovative environmental, climate change, and sustainability partnerships. Support Departmental efforts to ensure consistency with existing environmental laws and regulations while exploring innovative new strategies for transportation project development and delivery in the BIL to address climate change.
The Ideal candidate is a seasoned, motivated, and self-reliant professional who can share their expertise in implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or the assessment of environmental policy laws, regulations, decisions and/or proposed legislation on climate change programs/projects and preparing and presenting analytical reports to decision makers.
PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (3 month) vacancy announcement. Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications on an as needed basis. Duty locations will vary. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule/
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
- Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
- Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- POSITION SENSITIVITY AND RISK: Varies by position and will be based on the position to which appointed.
- SECURITY CLEARANCE: Varies by position. If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
- DRUG TESTING: Varies by position. Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions will be required to complete testing prior to appointment or placement.
- GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: Travel will vary by position. If the position requires travel, a government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
- FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: GS-13 and GS-14 hires may be required to submit an Annual Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
- PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Varies by position and is determined by the hiring agency. If selected, a one-year or two-year probationary period may be required.
- FOR DIRECT HIRE CANDIDATES: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
- FOR GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
- Emailed applications will not be accepted, you must apply online.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:
- Experience in applying methods, concepts, principles, and practices to perform research, studies, or analysis to inform environmental documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act or other related laws, regulations, or policy.
- Experience working both independently and as a team member using environmental analyses to identify and mitigate the potential impacts of transportation or other projects.
To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
To qualify for the GS-12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11, it must include:
- Experience assisting in the preparation of environmental documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws, regulations or policy (e.g., Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Categorical Exclusions (CATEXs), Records of Decision (ROD), and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)), and experience assisting with environmental analysis for transportation or infrastructure projects.
- Experience in oral and written communication presenting results of scientific research, calculations, studies, analysis, test results or recommendations through briefing papers, technical papers, reports, or presentations.
To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:
- Experience preparing and reviewing National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106-related documents in order to achieve compliance with requirements related to historic preservation and cultural resources, for example, National Register of Historic Places eligibility determinations, cultural resources reports, Memoranda of Agreement, Programmatic Agreements, and/or cultural resources sections of NEPA documents.
- Experience preparing and reviewing environmental documents for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws, regulations or policy, including experience planning, analyzing impacts, coordinating and executing major components of environmental studies.
To qualify for the GS-14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:
- Experience preparing environmental documentation (e.g., Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and Record of Decision) for transportation infrastructure projects in compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental regulations and orders (e.g. National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Environmental Justice, etc.). Experience planning, leading, and managing multiple full life-cycle projects.
- Experience in the assessment of policy, laws, regulations, decisions and/or proposed legislation related to climate change (e.g., climate mitigation, greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation, climate resilience, transit, pedestrians, bicycles, electric vehicles, renewable energy, sustainability, embodied carbon, etc.) AND preparing and presenting analytical reports to decision makers.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Knowledge of transportation systems and established transportation planning techniques in order to conduct studies and address the relationships between transportation, community development, and economic development.
- Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement outreach events, workshops, conferences, and other stakeholder outreach activities and studies in support of local/regional planning efforts.
- Ability to identify, analyze, develop, and evaluate techniques and strategies for improving transportation project delivery, planning, and decision-making.
- Ability to manage projects and/or segments of projects including the planning, scheduling, quality assurance, monitoring progress, and communicating with project manager to effectively resolve problems that arise.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally as well as written format to include delivering presentations and developing communication products.
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.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
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.
PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
DIRECT HIRE: All applications will be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational and specialized experience requirements. Applicants will not be rated or ranked. Veteran's Preference does NOT apply. All applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official. Applications received under direct hire public notice may or may not result in a referral or selection. Management has the prerogative to select at any grade level.
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, the top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review. Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position, must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position.
Applicants who apply for Merit Promotion (Federal Government) consideration will also receive consideration under Direct Hire.
ALL APPLICANTS:
Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package. If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
RESUME - All applicants must provide a resume created within USA Jobs Resume Builder, that shows relevant experience, education and support the required specialized experience. Formatted resumes can by uploaded later in the application process.
WRITING SAMPLE: Varies by position and supervisory determination. You may be asked to provide a writing sample.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and forwarded to the selecting official in consideration of your application. To receive credit, submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.).
FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/
NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility, you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments.
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85) and provide all of the following documents:
- your most recent performance appraisal,
- the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
- your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USA Jobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
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 must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
- To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
- Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
- You may review your saved application(s) at https://my.usajobs.gov.
If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov
Next steps
You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com (Select "My USAJobs" and click "Applications"). As needed, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
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