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This Senior-Level (SL) position is in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. About Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. Partial work-from-home flexibilities may be authorized.
Learn more about this agency07/09/2024 to 08/19/2024
$191,901 - $221,900 per year
SL 00
1 vacancy in the following locations:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
00
No
Yes
EPA-SL/ST-2024-0005
799027800
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens
This position is located in the Immediate Office of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) to promote greater coordination and cooperation on science policy issues across OCSPP’s two major regulatory programs led by the Office of Pesticide Programs and the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. OCSPP is responsible for the implementation of several important environmental statutes with broad cross-media impacts, including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the Pollution Prevention (P2) Act of 1990, the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act of 2010, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) and other statutes. OCSPP must evaluate new and existing industrial chemicals and pesticides, require and promote risk reduction and responsible risk management practices through the life cycle of these substances; promote pollution prevention activities and the design, development, and application of safer chemical processes and technologies in the industrial sector; and promote public understanding of the risks of chemicals and pesticides and public involvement in environmental decision-making through development and dissemination of information on toxic chemicals and pesticides. Critical to the agency’s ability to carry out its statutory mandates is the need to create greater efficiencies in implementing TSCA and FIFRA, and other policies, processes and program implementation.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Coordinating across OCSPP's offices in order to provide input and advice to Agency leadership on homeland security incident prevention, preparedness, and response as well as homeland security policy and scientific assessments.
- Serving as OCSPP's liaison with other Agency partners as well as external partners (e.g. government, business, industry, academia) on homeland security policy and strategy as well as science and science policy related to human health and environmental risk assessments and evaluations.
- Leading the collection and analysis of input and data from OCSPP offices during homeland security events to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and usefulness of the federal government's response.
- Identifying, developing, and implementing complementary risk assessment approaches that meet the needs, goals, and outcomes of OCSPP's regulatory programs under TSCA, FIFRA, and FFDCA.
- Identifying and resolving science policy and risk assessment questions within the program office.
- Providing support for testimony and witness testimony in legal and congressional hearings to support and defend the Agency's position for regulatory and enforcement actions.
- Providing guidance, advice, and direction on the development and/or revision of health and environmental risk assessments for new and existing chemicals and pesticides.
- Providing leadership and scientific knowledge in interpreting and integrating the results of scientific information, studies, and data for use in human health and ecological risk assessments.
- Providing information and conducting briefings for Office and Agency leaders about human health and ecological science policy issues that will then be used to inform and/or craft regulatory opinions and policies.
If you are selected, you must complete a one-year probationary period.
The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SL position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
This position is designated as High 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. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance.
#LI-Onsite
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 this SL position, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-15 level defined as providing expertise and advice to officials on scientific issues of national or international significance; integrating human and environmental risk assessment information and studies into policies and practices for an organization; liaising between multiple offices and/or entities and providing current human health and environmental risk evaluations to both; and briefing and/or testifying to senior officials of an organization and/or Congress, a court, or other legal proceeding.
You will be evaluated on the mandatory Technical Qualifications listed below. Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility.
Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Mandatory for all applicants - Failure to address these factors individually within a limit of two (2) pages per factor will result in your application being disqualified.
TQ 1 - Demonstrated experience managing, directing, developing and providing guidance and policy direction for human health and/or ecological risk assessment policies and initiatives related to the development and use of traditional and advanced toxicology testing techniques, chemical exposure estimation methods, and probabilistic risk estimation.
TQ 2 - Demonstrated experience evaluating advanced risk assessment methodologies relevant to chemical regulations.
TQ 3 - Demonstrated experience communicating complex and politically sensitive environmental policy issues to higher management and externally.
TQ 4 - Demonstrated experience analyzing current domestic and international risk assessment issues for chemicals.
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.
Biologist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.
Toxicologist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.
Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Chemist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included the described coursework.
For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
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.
Time in grade requirements do not apply to SL/ST positions.
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.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA.
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. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your narrative statements addressing the Technical Qualifications. You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified’, ‘Well Qualified’, or ‘Qualified’ category.
Documents to be submitted online:
NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.
-- College transcripts - Required for all applicants - unofficial or official 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. NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA. IF EDUCATION WAS COMPLETED AT A FOREIGN INSTITUTION: You must submit an equivalency evaluation with your application as described here: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Separated veterans claiming 5-point preference:
Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more:
Other separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference:
Active duty service members:
To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS.
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.
You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each Technical Qualification (TQ). Responses to the TQs are mandatory. Failure to address the TQs will result in your application being disqualified.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top 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.
As referenced in the Required Documents section, all required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
It is recommended that you review your application materials after they have been uploaded to your application to ensure they conform to the requirements stated in the announcement.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the HR Specialist listed below for assistance no later than two 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.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.
The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA’s Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process:
Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
It is your responsibility to check your USAJOBS account for application status information. You can track the progress of your application via your USAJOBS account by clicking the Track This Application link. Your USAJOBS application status will appear in your profile if your application was received successfully; if your submission was not received, the application status will show as unavailable. After the announcement closes, the Human Resources Office will conduct a review of your application package. If your application is complete and you meet basic qualification requirements, it will be forwarded to a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for further review of your narrative statements addressing the required TQs. Applicants rated Best Qualified under the category rating method will be referred to the Selecting Official by the Human Resources Office. Interviews are arranged through the Selecting Official. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement. Your application status will change in USAJOBS when updates are available for each step of the process.
NOTE: 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. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.
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/799027800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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