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This position is located in Region 5, Resources Management Division, Chicago Regional Laboratory, in Chicago IL. For more information on this office, visit their website: Region 5
If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.
Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.
07/16/2018 to 10/19/2018
$67,638 - $105,392 per year
GS 11 - 12
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.
No
Permanent
Full-time
12
No
No
CI-R5-DE-2018-0006
505056100
At the entry level of this position, you will:
1. Serve as Certified Drinking Water Inspector for Region 5 in the field of microbiology for State Principle Drinking Water laboratories. Candidate must possess SDWA certification or be able to successfully pass the course work, tests, and audits required to gain this national SDWA Certification Officer status.
2. Coordinate Region 5 Laboratory Certification audits and meetings and provides technical assistance to state SDWA certification officers and exchange of information on program issues, policies, and technical problems with respect to Microbiology. Serves as coordinator for the annual water supply performance evaluation studies for Regional, State, Tribal, Local, and private laboratories. The annual tracking of SDWA performance evaluation results are required by regulation for the SDWA program and State certification programs.
3. Participate in Waste Water work areas related to support of the NPDES Microbiology analytical support for Region 5, including Total and fecal coliform testing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for microbial source tracking and other programs.
4. Perform quality assurance functions by reviewing and evaluating environmental and/or microbiology analyses, studies, sampling, or other forms of data processed by others, within or outside EPA, for technical adequacy and acceptability.
When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.
If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.
This position is designated as Low Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.
Microbiologist (0403): Degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry or basic medical science with 20 semester hours in microbiology and subjects related to the study of microorganisms and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics and college algebra OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major and with courses as shown above plus appropriate experience or additional education
As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as having knowledge of microbiology terminology and methodology related to the US EPA drinking water and wastewater programs applicable to drinking water or waste water compliance testing, and direct laboratory experience in performing classical microbiology methods or techniques.
To qualify for the GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as having extensive knowledge of microbiology terminology and methodology related to the USEPA drinking water and wastewater programs applicable to drinking water or waste water compliance testing, and direct laboratory experience in performing classical microbiology methods or techniques.
Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge of a wide range of biological and microbiological concepts, principles, and methods applicable to varied and complex problems or studies.
2. Skill in written communications, especially of a technical nature.
3. Skill in oral communications, especially of a technical nature.
4. Knowledge of microbiology terminology and methodology for drinking water and wastewater projects, and State audits.
5. Skill in modifying standard practices and methods, adapting precedents, and make significant departures from existing approaches and techniques.
6. Knowledge of applicable environmental statutes and Federal Regulations.
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.
If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.
Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures
EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications Section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the on-line assessment. Your responses to the on-line assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.
We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.
NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.
To preview questions please click here.
Documents to be submitted online:
--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
--Responses to the online assessment questionnaire.
--College transcripts - required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned.
--Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.
Additional information can be found on our website: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
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.
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.
For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line occupational questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be
notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs Account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.
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/505056100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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