Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees) Job in Location Negotiable After Selection

Vacancy No. OST.P-2024-0002 Department Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Salary $143,736.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/29/2024 Close Date 1/27/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Location Negotiable After Selection


Summary

As Supervisor in Office of the Secretary (S3), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy (P), Office of the Environment oversees the NEPA, Climate, or Sustainable Transportation program with responsibility for tackling the program crisis and leveraging in-house expertise across the Department and through partnerships with academia, industry, & the public sector to address high priority topics across the spectrum of program mitigation, adaptation, and transportation equity.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is for Merit Promotion (Federal Government) opportunities and also serves as a Direct Hire Public Notice to gather resumes. Vacancies are open under merit promotion to current and former Federal employees with competitive status and VEOA Applicants AND/OR applications will be accepted from All U.S. Citizens under Direct Hire Authority. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

As a Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist (NEPA, Climate, or Sustainable Transportation), you will perform some or similar duties listed below, which are not all inclusive:

  • Leads the program through building and structuring program activities, leveraging in-house expertise, and establishing long-term partnerships with subject matter experts in industry, academia, and the public sector. Provides cross-agency coordination on transportation-related NEPA, climate, and sustainability issues.
  • Leads the development of modelling tools that quantify the direct and indirect impacts of NEPA, climate, or sustainable transportation to allow decision-makers to incorporate resilience investments into long range transportation planning processes.
  • Leads in the identification, development, and implementation of innovative climate and resilience technologies like solar roads and nature-based solutions to accelerate progress towards net zero goals and objectives.
  • Evaluates and analyzes the sources and reliability of climate change/resilience budget and financial data, identifies documents, and develops solutions, and leads the implementation of those solutions.
  • Develops, analyzes, and evaluates new or modified NEPA, climate, and transportation sustainability program policies, regulations, goals, or objectives whenever needed for assessing the effectiveness of policy program processes.

The Ideal Candidate possess transportation program or policy work related to a modal area of transportation. This experience should be applied in one of the major areas of transportation such as safety, infrastructure, environment, legislation, policy development or program execution.

This is an open continuous, not to exceed 90 days, vacancy.  We will review applications as needed and refer the top candidates for potential interviews during the open period of the announcement. 

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.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only
  • SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD for CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES:  Candidates selected from this announcement are required to serve a one-year probationary period except current or former career/career conditional employees who have served 1) in the same line of work, and 2) with no more than a single break in service not to exceed 30 calendar days in accordance with 5 CFR 315.301 and 315.802.
  • 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.
  • REMOTE WORK: This position may be eligible for Remote Work.  Remote work means the residence is the full-time official duty location. 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/  If selected for a remote work position, you must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency standards from the approved work location within the Contiguous United States and sign a remote work agreement.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications.

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

  • Experience analyzing and assessing NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), climate, or sustainable transportation studies (e.g., air and/or water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, reduction strategies, climate change, permitting, renewable energy, biofuels, public transport, electric vehicles (EVs), etc.) on the environmental impact of existing/proposed legislation involving environmental issues affecting public policy issues OR planning and conducting studies on the environmental impact of NEPA, climate, or sustainable transportation findings on existing/proposed transportation projects affecting public policy issues OR similar work on environmental impact in accordance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards as a regular and recurring part of your employment.
  • Experience preparing and presenting analytical environmental NEPA, climate, or sustainable transportation (e.g., air and/or water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, reduction strategies, climate change, permitting, renewable energy, biofuels, public transport, electric vehicles (EVs), etc.) findings that address the consequences of adopting them or other comparable work in accordance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards as a regular and recurring part of your employment.

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:

  1. Technical Competence (Environmental Protection) - knowledge of the principles and methods of administering environmental protection programs and the laws and regulations related to environmental protection 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 the job; advises others on technical issues to prevent pollution instead of controlling or transferring environmental problems.
  2. Manages Human Resources - Plans, distributes, and monitors work assignments; evaluates work performance and provides feedback to others on their performance.
  3. Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits.
  4. Organizational Performance Analysis - Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and tools used to analyze program, organizational, and mission performance; includes methods that deliver key performance information (for example, comparative, trend, diagnostic, root cause, predictive) used to inform decisions, actions, communications, and accountability systems.
  5. Political Savvy - Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly.
  6. Communication - Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately; uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

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.



Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

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

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 scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. 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.

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: Your resume MUST contain specific information used to make a qualification determination that includes employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time or average number of hours worked per week,  and position titles.  If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level.  The resume should show relevant experience and education as well as support the required specialized experience. Formatted resumes may be uploaded later in the application process.

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://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/service/sf-50


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://help.usajobs.gov/

If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at:  Transjobs@dot.gov

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Address
DOT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Ratings will be determined based on the documents and information received by the closing date. Qualified candidates will be assigned a category, not including points that may be assigned for veterans' preference. If the vacancy is advertised under status, your application will be scored on a scale between 70 - 100.  The most highly qualified candidates are then referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. If the vacancy was advertised under category rating, then the appropriate veteran's preference will be applied.  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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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