Job Information

Environmental Protection Agency Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist in United States

Summary This position is in Region 5, Superfund and Emergency Management Division, Emergency Response Branch , Emergency Response Section 1. About Region 5: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-5 This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected). *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section. Responsibilities You will: Serve as both a senior technical expert and project manager for the East Palestine Train Derailment (EPTD) Superfund site. Serve as senior technical advisor and policy expert on matters involving cleanup activities at the EPTD Superfund site and represent the Superfund program to a variety of functional area organizations. Serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to commit resources and provide oversight of contractors and interagency agreement and cooperative agreement holders. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section. EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings. Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter. Pre-employment physical may be required and periodic physicals thereafter. You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials. This is a temporary position (see Other Information on assignment limits). 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 must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter. Participation in the medical monitoring program is required. This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). You will be required to meet ongoing specialized safety training requirements in order to meet field safety standards. #LI-DNI Qualifications NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement. In addition to the basic entry education requirements, you must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below: To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must have 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level defined as experience with managing large projects and coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of federal and state hazardous waste regulations and statutes. Knowledge of project planning and organization techniques. Knowledge of contract management, grants, and interagency agreements. Skill in conducting investigations and evaluations for site characterization, risk assessment, and remediation. Skill in oral communication. Skill in written communication. Ability to inform and influence internal and external stakeholders on new approaches, standards, and policies. Ability to serve as a technical authority and policy advisor on all aspects of toxic and hazardous waste site cleanup and management. Ability to serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR). 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. Education Life Scientist (0401) 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. Environmental Engineer (0819) You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications. Physical Scientist (1301) 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. For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Additional Information Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section). 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. 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. If you are selected, you will serve in either a temporary promotion or a detail. If this position is at a higher grade than your current grade, the assignment will be a temporary promotion which will be processed for a period not to exceed one year. It may be extended up to four additional years without further competition, for a total of five years. If you are already at the same grade as this position, your assignment will be a detail which will be processed for a period not to exceed 120 days, and may be extended in 120 day increments. While on the detail, your salary will not change. You may be returned at any time to the position from which you were temporarily promoted or detailed, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay. This position is in the bargaining unit.