Duties

Summary

This position is located in Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Consequence Management Advisory Division (CMAD), Washington, DC. For more information on this office, visit their website: OLEM Webpage

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

You will:

- Assist the Director in providing expert technical expertise to support the overall EPA response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Consequence (CBRN), including naturally occurring events and intentional attacks.

- Provide advice in risk management as relating to characterization and cleanup from the effects of CBRN environmental releases and the communication of risks associated with the release.

- Serve as an expert on CBRN issues with responsibility for review and analysis of proposed, new or revised protocols and methodologies.

- Conduct training and exercises in homeland security response.

- Develop comprehensive, concise and guidance that assimilates the latest technical approaches to address CBRN releases and other hazardous substances.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
• Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.

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.

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.

You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance.

If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

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-15 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-14 level defined as providing technical expertise in response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Consequence (CBRN) incidents resulting from environmental events or attacks. Developing policies and procedures, allocating and managing resources, performing operational tracking, overseeing procurements and developing budget strategies.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) emergency response strategies.

2. Skill in understanding, planning for, preparing for, and preventing CBRN events.

3. Knowledge of statutory authorities and requirements, regulations, and policies as they relate to issues of homeland security and emergency response.

4. Knowledge of concepts, practices, methods, and techniques associated with CBRN characterization, decontamination and mitigation.

5. Ability to apply novel developments and theories to major problems.

6. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, documentation and reporting requirements.

7. Ability to communicate with others within and outside the Agency, including other Federal partners.

8. Knowledge of the Agency's strategic planning principles and Agency management processes.

9. Skill in written communication.

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.

Education

A bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in A bachelor's 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

Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here: 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: 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 .

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

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.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's government-wide direct-hire authority. Under the provisions of the direct-hire authority, category rating, veterans' preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply. We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. All applicants who meet these requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

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.
--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.

Additional information can be found on our website: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.