An official website of the United States government
This position is in Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Land & Emergency Management, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Environmental Response Team. If selected, you must work at one of the locations stated in this announcement. The salary will be commensurate with the location. About Office of Land & Emergency Management: OLEM Website
Learn more about this agency01/09/2020 to 01/22/2020
$77,865 - $115,251 per year
GS 12
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
50% or less - You may be required to travel 50% of each month.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
13
No
Yes
CI-OLEM-MP-2020-0012
556035100
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
-Current federal employees with competitive status; reinstatement eligibles; and ICTAP or EPA CTAP eligibles. -Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA). -Applicants eligible for non-competitive appointment (e.g., Schedule A, Peace Corps). -Public Health Service Officers.
At the entry level of this position, you will:
Serve as physical scientist in providing technical support on multi-media environmental emergencies for cleanup, removal and remedial activities at oil and hazardous materials spills, incidents and sites.
Provide scientific advice and guidance in the areas of emergency removal actions including any of the following: air monitoring at chemical incidents, hazardous materials drum sampling, identification, handling and removal.
Use scientific instrumentation in the field to assess hazardous materials and to guide and augment multimedia extent of contamination investigations.
Review results of environmental investigations, including discussions of new approaches techniques,or technologies used.
Assist in the determination of the extent of contamination, degree of cleanup necessary and restoration requirements during accidental or purposeful releases of hazardous waste and/or environmental emergencies.
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.
Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.
This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.
This position is designated as Moderate 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.
You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.
If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
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-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as Experience assisting in responding to and advising on responding to environmental emergencies to releases of hazardous wastes, and remediation and restoration at hazardous waste sites; experience in assisting in conducting assessments of hazardous substances through monitoring, sampling and analysis using field analytical instrumentation, and providing written and oral reports on the results.
Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge to inform and advise personnel on environmental science issues associated with spills, hazardous waste sites, environmental emergencies, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters.
2. Skill in implementing emergency and environmental cleanup procedures.
3. Knowledge of site assessment systems, tasks and equipment.
4. Ability to explain complex concepts to technical and non technical audiences.
5. Knowledge of the application of investigative site tools for multimedia environmental investigations.
6. Ability to convey advice on environmental data collection and the results of environmental studies.
7. Ability to analyze or interpret environmental data for use in environmental assessments or response operational decisions.
8. Ability to conduct research to identify new approaches and procedures applicable to environmental assessment and clean up for hazardous waste sites and environmental emergencies.
9. Knowledge of the concepts and principles and methods of environmental assessments as they pertain to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)/ The Superfund Amendments and Re-authorization Act (SARA)/ and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA).
10. Knowledge of concepts and practice for the remediation and restoration at sites related to environmental emergencies and releases of hazardous waste.
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 have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: 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.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
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.
Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.
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.
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.
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 online assessment. Your responses to the online 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. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.
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.
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 (you must complete this online - it is not a document you need to upload).
--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. 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.
--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.
--Current and Former Federal Employees: You are required to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) indicating your status eligibility. This SF-50 should include your Position Title, Pay Plan, Occupational Code, and Grade or Level. If you are a current temporary/term employee who previously held a status Federal position, you need to submit your SF-50 which shows your eligibility to be considered. If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
--Current EPA Employees: You are encouraged to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50). If you fail to provide an SF-50, we will access your Federal employment records in eOPF to verify your eligibility to be considered. If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
--If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you'll need to submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy announcement. If you want to learn more about noncompetitive appointments, visit OPM's website: Special Appointment Authorities
.
If you want to know more about submitting documentation to our office, visit EPA's website:
.
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 online 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/556035100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Earth Day is every day at EPA! At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans, and you’ll discover that EPA is one great place to work! We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career--we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. Discover how exciting safeguarding our natural resources and protecting human health can be. Find yourself at EPA. Learn more about EPA at https://www.epa.gov
