This position is in Region 9, Water Division, Immediate Office, Surface Water Branch, Standards and Assessment Section. About Region 9: Region 9 Website.
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.
Duties
At the entry level of this position, you will:
-Assist in the development, execution, and monitoring of environmental protection plans and programs;
-Serve as a staff resource on policy and procedural guidance on water program activities;
-Support the Contract Officer’s Representative on contracts and/or Project Officer for assistance agreements and interagency/cooperative agreements.
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. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
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
- EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
- You must submit a resume and required documents–see How to Apply section.
- Position has education requirements–see Qualifications/Education section.
- If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
#LI-Onsite
If you are selected, the entire period served under the Recent Graduates program will be a trial period.
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. 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.
If you are still completing coursework, offer of employment will be contingent upon completion of degree/certificate program. Proof showing confer date within nine months of the announcement closing date will be required before entry on duty.
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.
Qualifications
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-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as experience assisting in providing recommendations to resolve conventional environmental and restoration problems involving water program issues; experience assisting with planning and carrying out a variety of water program implementation activities to ensure effectiveness and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
– OR 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described below
– OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as experience providing recommendations to resolve conventional environmental and restoration problems involving water program issues; experience planning and carry out a variety of water program implementation activities to ensure effectiveness and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
– OR master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below
– OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
-Knowledge of the established principles, concepts, and method of environmental protection program work.
-Knowledge of one or more environmental science or related fields (e.g., biology, chemistry, hydrology, engineering, or physical science).
-Skill in oral communication.
-Ability to disseminate policy and procedural guidance, coordinate with state, local or tribal agencies.
-Knowledge of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and other water program related statutes and regulations.
-Skill in written communication.
-Knowledge of contracts and/or grants and agreement programs.
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
In addition to the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduates program, this position has specific educational requirements in order to qualify as described below:
A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in:
0401 – Life and Biological Sciences Series:
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.
0800 – Engineering Series:
All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:
- Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college
OR
- Have a 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.
1301 – General Physical Science Series:
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.
