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Join the staff of the Bureau of Reclamation as a senior Natural Resources Specialist, overseeing the preparation of difficult and complex environmental documents.
This is a permanent full-time position located at the Bureau of Reclamation, Region 10 - California-Great Basin, Division of Environmental Affairs, in Sacramento, CA. For more information on the Sacramento area, visit: http://www.saccounty.net/Pages/default.aspx
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
04/08/2020 to 04/22/2020
$83,615 - $108,705 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Travel is required approximately 5% of the time.
No
Permanent - Permanent.
Full-time - Full time.
Competitive
12
No
No
BR-MP-2020-092
565132200
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Current Federal Employees serving under career or career-conditional appointments; Former Federal Employees with reinstatement eligibility; Current and Former Overseas Employees; VRA, VEOA and 30% Disabled Veterans; Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A); Military Spouse; Peace Corps; AmeriCorps; Vista; Current or Former time-limited employees eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA); and CTAP and ICTAP eligibles.
-Assembles, coordinates, and oversees interdisciplinary teams in the preparation and processing of assigned environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, environmental commitment plans, environmental portions of planning reports and other environmental documents prepared by the Region.
-Arranges, defines, and coordinates work between cooperating Federal agencies, such as the National Park Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
-Conducts workshops, hearings, and meetings and interacts with public interest groups, water districts, individuals, and representatives of Federal, State, and local governments regarding all aspects of preparing and processing environmental documents.
-Reviews and provides comments on environmental impact statements and other environmental documents prepared by the Region and other agencies for compliance with relevant policies and directives.
-Reviews planning and other internal and external reports and data dealing with environmental problems and their solutions to ensure environmental policy is articulated properly.
-Studies and monitors new developing issues in the environmental field that may have potential impact on Reclamation programs in the Region.
-Acts in a liaison capacity with other technical segments of the Regional Office, with natural resources specialists in Reclamation's Denver and Washington offices, and personnel in the project offices on environmental matters affected by various planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance phases and research efforts.
-Participates as a member of special Reclamation committees, task forces, and groups that are formed to address projects of a special or controversial nature to represent Regional environmental policy positions.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective factors, by the closing date of this announcement.
Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
Minimum Education Requirement:
Applicants must meet the Basic Education Qualification Requirements listed below:
A. Degree: A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.
In addition to meeting Basic Education, applicants must have specialized experience or additional education as defined below:
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level.
Definition of Specialized Experience: To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows:
GS-12: Preparing environmental documents to meet the requirements of NEPA, CWA, and ESA; evaluating the impact of proposed projects and other activities that may result in potential effects on environmental resources; and determining, establishing, and applying biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures to the production and/or management of environmental resources, or within facilities and systems that have been constructed for their benefit and public use. These examples are not all inclusive.
Experience that would not normally be part of an applicant's position may be creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager or human resources director, SF-52, or similar documentation).
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.
This position has a mandatory education requirement; you must furnish a copy of your transcript of college work completed (unofficial copy is acceptable). Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. Non-submission may result in you being rated not qualified for the position.
Relocation: Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized and are the responsibility of the selectee.
Telework: Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. This is not a virtual position.
Employment Conditions:
-This position requires completion of a one-year probationary period, unless you have previously met this requirement.
-Successful adjudication of personnel security investigation required.
-Travel is required approximately 5% of the time.
-Operation of a government vehicle is required; therefore, you must possess and maintain a valid State's driver's license.
-Required to file an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450.
-All Federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by direct deposit.
-Required to obtain and use a government-issued credit card for business travel.
-This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by NFFE, Local 951.
Optional Form 306 (OF-306): Before final appointment and again before you begin work, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Federal hiring process visit: Federal Hiring Process FAQ
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit:http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and transcript(s) to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes. Applicants determined best-qualified will be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) through their resume and responses to the online questions.
1. Knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of concepts, principles, practices, and methodology of biological and environmental sciences.
2. Knowledge of the implementation requirements for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
3. Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental planning.
4. Ability to modify or adapt standard techniques, processes, and procedures, and to assess, select, apply precedents, and devise strategies and plans.
5. Knowledge of and skill in oral, written, and group communication.
Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. Applicants rating themselves higher than is apparent in their description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that copy vacancy announcement posting information verbatim into resume OR whose resume/application is incomplete may be rated ineligible or score may be lowered.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following supporting documents, as appropriate:
Transcript(s): All applicants must furnish a copy of their college transcript(s), if applicable. If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) must submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying highest rate of pay and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. Failure to submit an SF-50 verifying status may result in the applicant not being considered for this position.
DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, and you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
-For 5-point veterans' preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
-For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation requested by this form.
For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) documenting your eligibility.
For information on veteran's eligibility visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
Special Non-Competitive Appointing Authorities: For more information on special non-competitive appointing authorities visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/hiring-authorities/
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee – you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows: a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment; b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and (c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/land-management/
CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified, i.e. meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 90 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
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.
Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the side of any page. When you have finished with your application, click the SUBMIT APPLICATION button on the bottom of the REVIEW PAGE. Your application will not be received unless you click SUBMIT APPLICATION.
This vacancy is being announced through the Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/hireme.html
As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in your application not being considered for this position.
Options for submitting supporting documentation include Auto Requested Fax or uploading from a USAJOBS profile (instructions are provided during the online application process.) In addition, applicants may e-mail their supporting documentation to mpjobs@usbr.gov, fax directly to the HR Office at 916-978-5563, or mail or hand-deliver to USBR/ATTN: HR, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
Applicants needing assistance in applying online should contact the HR Office at 916-978-5476 or Federal Relay at http://www.federalrelay.us/. The Federal Relay website contains information for TDD/TTY users to receive free needed service. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the HR Office prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in their USAJOBS profile.
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/565132200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency. Reclamation is best known for Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River, and Folsom Dam on the American River. Today we are the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. Visit: http://www.usbr.gov/
View our video titled "Traditions, Talent, and Teamwork" at: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/Video/
