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USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID works to help lift lives, build communities, and advance democracy. USAID's work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity; demonstrates American generosity; and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. We operate in five regions of the world: Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Eurasia.
Learn more about this agency09/15/2022 to 11/20/2022
$64,012 - $116,012 per year
FS 4 - 5
No
No
Occasional travel - A Foreign Service Of?cer generally spends the majority of their career assigned to the Agency's overseas missions and works in assigned developing countries with a variety of challenges (civil war, political unrest, lack of modern conveniences).
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
5
Yes
No
BS 40-Environment Officer
677655900
All U.S. Citizens, no prior Federal experience is required.
You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not receive full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined.
This is a Foreign Service announcement. Worldwide availability is a requirement of the position.
Foreign Service Environment Officers provide technical leadership and assistance to partner countries to achieve national and global environmental conservation, climate change and sustainable development goals. Environment Officers represent the US Government and engage in country and sector-level strategic planning and coordination with host country governmental and non-governmental organizations, other development donors, international organizations and a range of US government agencies to support the design, management, monitoring, evaluation, oversight and reporting for environment programs that are funded by USAID and implemented by NGOs, the private sector, international organizations, or host government partners. Throughout a Foreign Service career, officers will likely assume positions that entail supervision of one or more staff and/or management of a team or office within USAID. Foreign Service Environment Officers may have expertise in a particular environment sector and/or region but during the course of their careers, they can expect to have to work across a range of environmental issues in different regions of the world.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:
Strategic planning and coordination
Design and procure assessments and studies to inform country level strategic plans for USAID and for partner country governments; work towards the integration of environmental objectives across other development sectors; serves as a liaison with partner country government and non-government counterparts, other USAID offices, bilateral and multilateral donors, other USG agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to coordinate and communicate environmental program or project activities in furtherance of USG foreign assistance goals and within budget parameters.
Program design
Help USAID prepare, evaluate, and award new projects through a competitive procurement process by translating strategies, analyses, and program concepts into functional statements of work (including budget estimates) for award of contracts, cooperative agreements, grants and inter-agency agreements that deliver results across a range of environment sectors.
Program management
Adaptively manage assistance instruments, and contracts to achieve environment and development objectives while providing effective financial oversight and environmental soundness.
Monitoring, evaluation, oversight, and reporting
Develop and implement performance monitoring systems and indicators at the strategic, sector, and activity levels for environmental programs.
Plan and oversee assessments and evaluations of programs to determine development impact and return on investment.
Provide reports and communication to Washington to assist the Agency in reporting on annual performance and telling the story of the impacts of USAID's environmental programs.
Supervision and Management
Throughout a Foreign Service career, likely assume positions that entail supervision of one or more staff and/or management of a team or office within USAID. Support professional development of other staff, conduct an annual evaluation process, and address any conduct or performance issues that may arise.
Representation:
Act as U.S. Government representative in formal and informal settings related to the position and as a member of the diplomatic community.
Relevant majors for graduate degrees are environment-focused graduate degrees. Illustrative degrees include: environmental sciences; environmental management; climate change; natural resources management (such as forestry, wildlife, wild lands or parks management, marine fisheries, coastal resources management); clean energy; water security; biology or ecology; environmental law and regulation; environmental engineering; environmental medicine or health; wildlife veterinary medicine; environmental economics; or sustainable urban or regional planning.A degree in a social/behavioral science with a demonstrable specialization related to the illustrative degrees above is also acceptable.
Relevant Professional experience includes jobs that entail applying at least one or more of the technical competencies described below through a paid or unpaid position.
Relevant diverse experience includes working and living: (1) in a foreign country, nation, territory, or tribe or (2) in an economically disadvantaged community in the United States. The applicant will need to demonstrate the diverse experience is relevant to the technical competencies for an environment Foreign Service Officer listed below. The experience in (1) and (2) above must have been achieved after the Bachelor's degree and by the close of the announcement date.
General Competencies: In addition, an Environment Foreign Service Officer is expected to have the following general competencies upon joining USAID:
Interpersonal Skills
Customer Service
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Adaptability and Flexibility
Information Gathering, Analysis, and Problem Solving
Consensus Building
Budgeting and Financial Management
Decision Making
Influencing/Negotiating
Collaboration
Cross Cultural integration
Inclusion
Technical Competencies: An Environment Foreign Service Officer is expected to have one or more of these technical areas upon joining USAID. They will be expected to obtain the rest through on-the-job experience and training with USAID once they become an Environment Officer.
1. Cross-Sectoral Programming, Implications and Relationships
Programming that links and integrates key environmental sectors (natural resources management, biodiversity, water security, climate change, energy, land tenure and urban) with other development sectors (i.e., economic growth, democracy and governance, health, agriculture, gender, etc.) to achieve optimum development and environment results.
2. Business, Markets, Trade, Economics and the Environment
Factors that encourage or constrain businesses, markets, trade and economic development related to key environmental sectors (natural resource management, biodiversity, water security, climate change, energy, land, and urban) including legal and regulatory environment, business incentives, social safeguards, capital flows, and promotion of market development and trade.
3. Environmental and Social Compliance:
Compliance of all USAID development sector programs with environment and social elements of relevant legislation, regulations and policies.
4. Environment and Governance
Capacity to create, reform, implement, and maintain systems of governance, including institutional arrangements that positively affect development, environment and natural resource management outcomes.
5. Enhancing Impact through Science, Technology, and Evidence-based Learning:
Uses science, technology and learning to enhance Agency environmental programs.
6. Natural Resources Management
Sound and relevant sustainable natural resources management approaches and their implications for USAID, the host country and cross-sectoral development.
7. Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity programming that is compliant with USAID's Biodiversity Code and uses a theory of change to strengthen design and adaptive management.
8. Water Security:
Best practices that support water security, including sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and water resources management in alignment with the U.S. Global Water Strategy.
9. Climate Change and Development:
Sound and relevant approaches to addressing and mainstreaming climate change considerations (including adaptation and mitigation) and their implications for USAID, the host country and cross-sectoral development.
10. Energy Development
Sound energy sector development approaches, including clean energy deployment, energy service provider development, and broader energy sector reforms.
11. Land and Resource Governance:
Relevant interventions appropriate to the local environment, addressing land tenure and property rights as a way to increase program sustainability, particularly as it relates to women and other vulnerable populations.
12. Urban Environment
Good practice in urban management, governance and service delivery, particularly as it relates to natural resources, land and the environment.
FS-04: Applicant must have:
a graduate degree (Master's, Juris Doctor, Doctorate (Ph.D. or S.J.D.) or Doctor (M.D. or D.V.M.)) in a relevant major; PLUS four (4) years of relevant experience WITH three (3) years of overseas professional or relevant diverse experience.
FS-05: Applicant must have:
a graduate degree (Master's or Juris Doctor (J.D.), Doctorate (Ph.D. or S.J.D.), or Doctor (M.D. or D.V.M.) level in a relevant major PLUS at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience WITH a minimum of two (2) years overseas professional or relevant diverse working environment experience.
Relevant majors for graduate degrees are environment-focused graduate degrees. Illustrative degrees include: environmental sciences; environmental management; climate change; natural resources management (such as forestry, wildlife, wild lands or parks management, marine fisheries, coastal resources management); clean energy; water security; biology or ecology; environmental law and regulation; environmental engineering; environmental medicine or health; wildlife veterinary medicine; environmental economics; or sustainable urban or regional planning. A degree in a social/behavioral science with a demonstrable specialization related to the illustrative degrees above is also acceptable.
Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded as part of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application being eliminated from consideration. A transcript is only required for the degree you are using to meet the education requirement. The unofficial transcript must include the name of the applicant, the name of the college/university, the degree awarded, and the completion date. The degree must be completed at the time of application. If we are unable to determine that you meet the required education, you will be found ineligible for further consideration. If you proceed past the initial application phase, official transcripts must be received by USAID from your university/institution during the final selection process.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements. Transcripts from any and all foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials in order to be considered for the position. It is your responsibility to provide evidence that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States when applying. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of accreditation of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. There are two nationally recognized associations whose members can provide this accreditation: the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org/members) and the Association of International Credential Evaluators (https://aice-eval.org/). More information about this process may be found athttps://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Benefits and Allowances. USAID offers generous federal benefits that include health and life insurance; annual, sick and home leave; contributory government pension system (Foreign Service Pension System); Thrift Savings Plan (with agency matching funds), a student loan repayment program; and while serving overseas, government-provided housing, shipment of household effects, education allowances, country specific incentive pay and allowances, and other support.
Telework. USAID defines telework as a work flexibility arrangement in which an employee performs the duties of their position of record on-site as well as from an approved alternative worksite other than the location from which the employee would otherwise work, on an approved work schedule. During the initial training period in Washington which can last 12-24 months for most new employees, new foreign service officers will be allowed to telework a portion of each two week period if their training and supervised work arrangements allow and there is prior approval from their supervisor. There will be times when they must report in-person 100% of the time based on training and work requirements. This includes all language training at the Foreign Service Institute, and the initial Orientation in the first five weeks on the job. When assigned overseas, telework flexibility is determined by the policy for the U.S. Embassy in that country.
Medical Clearance. A medical clearance or waiver for the applicant is required prior to being hired for this position verifying that the applicant is able to serve at any USAID overseas post. Many USAID assignment locations are remote, unhealthy, or have limited medical support. Therefore, prior to being appointed to the Foreign Service, applicants must have a thorough medical examination and must be able to receive a medical clearance for worldwide availability or obtain a waiver of this requirement.
Foreign Language Ability. Foreign language ability has no effect on whether or not you are selected for an interview. However, to reach required tenured status, you must be able to achieve minimum proficiency levels in a USAID tenuring language. Candidates who demonstrate proficiency through an online test will be given the opportunity to test for bonus points that will be added to their final interview score. Bonus testing will be conducted via telephone and/or in person.
Minimum and Maximum Age at Appointment, and Mandatory Retirement Age Career appointments in the Foreign Service are covered by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended which requires an applicant to be 18 years old at time of application and which directs mandatory retirement at age 65 (chapter 8, section 812). Given this mandatory retirement age and the fact that five years must be allowed to achieve tenure in the agency, Individuals must be appointed on or before their 60th birthday, unless the applicant is a preference-eligible veteran who may be hired up to age 65.
Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer is required.
Moving/relocation expenses are authorized for individuals who are not currently living in the Washington, DC area and are not current federal employees with a duty location in the Washington D.C. area.
Applicants who previously applied for this position and were interviewed will not be invited for another interview within one year from the prior interview for the same position.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the education and experience qualifications. Qualified applicants receive a score of 70 to 100 before veterans preference points are applied, if applicable.
Veteran's preference. Qualified veterans will be considered consistent with the requirements of the Foreign Service Act. If you are claiming a disability, you must provide proof of disability rating with a letter from the Veteran's Administration showing disability percentage rating.
To claim veteran's preference, you must provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility. Acceptable documentation include:
a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions;
a "certification" that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed; OR
a Standard Form 15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you must submit a SF 15. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online.
For more information on veteran's preference and eligibility, visit https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans-preference/#content
We will review your application package to ensure you meet the job and eligibility requirements including the education and experience required for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, you will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the relevant education and experience you report and the degree to which you possess the required competencies listed on this vacancy announcement. A technical review panel of subject matter experts will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire to verify qualifications. USAID will invite candidates for an interview based on the competitiveness of the overall application package.
USAID must be able to conduct reference checks as part of its assessment process. Applicants who do not permit reference checks from previous employers may be disqualified.
IMPORTANT: If you are found to have rated your self assessment higher than the information in your on-line application, supporting documentation narratives, and/or any other relevant part of your application package, including attachments, this may eliminate you from the list of those referred for an interview.
USAID envisions a world where all individuals are valued, have equitable access to opportunities, and are included, respected, and safe in their societies. USAID embraces diversity as outlined in USAID's EEO Statement. We seek to elevate and include the voices of the USAID workforce, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of all stakeholders. USAID also strives to improve equity for underrepresented communities that have historically been denied fair and just treatment and improve accessibility in all facets at USAID.
If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit a copy of your transcript(unofficial transcript) that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours rated. You may use education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information. Please be advised that an official transcript will be required if the hiring manager selects you for the position.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements. Transcripts from any and all foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials in order to be considered for the position. It is your responsibility to provide evidence that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States when applying. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of accreditation of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. There are two nationally recognized associations whose members can provide this accreditation: the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org/members)and the Association of International Credential Evaluators (https://aice-eval.org/). More information about this process may be found athttps://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this online application process and submit any applicable required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you must contact the human resources office no later than two business days before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Our Office will provide an alternative application method upon approval of the hardship notification. After the advertisement has closed, we will not grant requests to apply via alternative plans.
Please note, we must receive all required documents by the closing date via online or alternative methods. We will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date.
Step 1 - Review the Job Announcement (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11606634)
Before you apply, we suggest you review the entire job announcement. Pay close attention to the Major Duties section and the How You Will Be Evaluated section, where you will see the areas upon which an HR Specialist or Subject Matter Expert will evaluate your application and a link for previewing online questions.
Step 2 - Create or Upload a resume with USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov)
Create or upload a resume in USAJOBS. You may wish to customize your resume to ensure it supports your responses to the online questions and addresses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement. For resume tips, click here.-Although you must enter your Social Security Number (SSN) for USAJOBS, we will only see the last four digits for identification purposes.
Step 3 - Apply Online
Click the "Apply Online" button on this announcement and then select the resume you wish to submit with your application. You will be redirected to the OPM's USA Staffing website to complete the application process.
Step 4 - Answer the Online Questions and Submit Your Online Application
If this is your first time on OPM's USA Staffing website, the system will prompt you to register by answering questions about your eligibility for Federal employment. Select "Take me to the assessment" and click on the "Next" button to answer the job-specific questions. The system will save these responses and take you back to the main screen so that you can answer the job-specific questions. You must answer all the questions and click the "Finish" button.
Step 5 - Review and Confirm Your Submission
You will now have the option to upload a document or print fax cover sheets for documents (see Step 6 for details). Once you click "Done," you will see a summary of your application for your review, and you may also print a copy for your records. When you click "Finish" at the bottom of the page, our system will then direct you back to USAJOBS, where you can confirm that you correctly submitted your application, and you can track your application status.
Step 6 - Submit Documents
You can submit any applicable required or optional documents (see below) by document upload, fax, or e-mail. Whichever method you choose, please include the job announcement number with your records. To protect your privacy, we encourage you to remove your SSN from any documents that you submit.
Document Upload: You may upload documents in one of two ways:
1. Candidates complete application
2. Highly qualified applications are referred to the Technical Review Panel (TRP)
3. TRP reviews applications and selects applicants to be invited for the interview.
4. Technical Selection Panel (TSP) interviews applicants.
5. Reference checks are conducted of TSP recommended applicants.
6. Successful completion of Top Security Clearance investigation, Class 1 Medical clearance, receipt of official transcripts and acceptance of salary offer.
7. Inclusion on the agency hiring roster pending offer of employment.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/677655900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Our Mission: On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.
