Environmental Protection Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Many', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will: 

• Serve as the National Historic Preservation Office for DOT working directly with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on national policies.  This position will work with Operating Administrations to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities under Section 106 of the NHPA and will provide overarching technical advice to DOT’s Operating Administrations (OA), as appropriate.
• Assist the OAs with coordination of activities with the State Historic Preservation Officer, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, where necessary as it pertains to DOT projects.
• Serve as a technical authority on policy, laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and directives related to NEPA and DOT project development processes. Reviews correspondence and drafts responses to incoming correspondence, as appropriate.
• Lead and advises OAs on integrating a variety of complex environmental and transportation planning processes and on other approaches to improve the linkages between planning and human and natural environmental issues.

The ideal candidate will serve as DOT’s Federal Preservation Officer and should be familiar with and have expertise related to historic preservation under the National Historic Preservation Act. Have experience in analyzing and interpreting the potential environmental impacts from Federal and state infrastructure projects and other activities, as well as leading a team performing environmental review for these projects and activities. The work is principally focused on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental compliance regulations and Executive Orders (e.g., National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.).

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 the 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.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

·       Experience applying environmental standards, methods, and practices to assure full implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related laws such as Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and/or laws concerning archeology, endangered species, noise impacts, project level Air Quality conformity determinations, and Presidential Executive Orders.

·       Experience preparing and reviewing environmental documents including but not limited to Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), Categorical Exclusions (CE), Environmental Assessments, Purpose and Needs Statements, Alternative Analyses, etc.

·       Experience in the evaluation and examination of environmental laws, regulations and public policy issues impacting environmental, urban, and/or transportation planning programs/projects and preparation.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

·       Experience assessing and 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 the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental regulations and orders (e.g. National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Environmental Justice, etc.) and coordinating with government agencies, stakeholders, and organizations on EAs or EISs; 

·       Experience planning, leading, and managing multiple full life-cycle (from planning through design and construction) environmental-related projects including: scoping the required work; developing detailed project work plans; identifying, tracking, and completing project schedules, deliverables, and budgets; developing business development strategies; preparing and delivering formal and informal presentations; meeting project milestones, and finalizing project close-out reports.

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:

·       Technical Competence - knowledge of the principles and methods to advise, manage, or perform program, projector policy work on environmental protection and climate change and the laws and regulations related to environmental protection and climate change activities acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to environmental protection and climate change issues; advises others on technical issues to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

·       Stakeholder Management - Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques used to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved, those who exert influence over the process and its results, and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).

·       External Awareness - Understands and keeps up-to-date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders' views; is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment.

For all types of 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, 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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