Duties

Summary

**This announcement has been amended to extend the closing date to 11/18/19**

This position is located in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Chemistry, Economics, and Sustainability Strategies Division, Industrial Chemistry Branch. For more information on this office, visit their website: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-chemical-safety-and-pollution-prevention-ocspp

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Responsibilities

At the entry level of this position, you will:

-Perform intermediate level chemistry evaluations for chemical substances subject to core programs under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

-Gather, interpret and evaluate chemical technology information for chemical substances.

-Develop supporting work resources and communication materials.

-Manage contracts and/or grants.

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.

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.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
• You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
• You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.

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

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

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-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as assisting with the evaluation of the molecular structure, composition, physical-chemical properties, and chemical reactions of organic and/or inorganic substances/chemicals - OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described above.

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 of evaluating the molecular structure, composition, physical-chemical properties, and chemical reactions of organic and/or inorganic substances/chemicals; reviewing chemistry data and communicating results.

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as independently independently evaluating the molecular structure, composition, nomenclature, physical-chemical properties, and chemical reactions of organic and/or inorganic substances/chemicals; reviewing chemistry data and communicating results.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Ability to use statistics in data interpretation; 2) Skill in oral communication; 3) Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team; 4) Skill in written communication; 5) Knowledge of methods and/or practices related to inorganic substances; 7) Knowledge of methods and/or practices related to organic substances; 7) Ability to identify and assess chemical substances' potential hazard, exposure and risk; 8) Ability to manage data using scientific information system applications.

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

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Chemist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included the described course work.

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

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. 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.

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.