Duties

Summary

This position is in Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), Office of Federal Facilitieis Enforcement Office (OFFEO), Site Remediation and Enforcement Staff. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About OECA: OECA Website

NOTE: This announcement has been amended to change closing date.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Support compliance monitoring activities. Review regulatory proposals, management data, and relevant legislation and collects and interprets data. Review performance data for assigned regions and states and assist in identifying program performance issues.

- Serve on workgroups within EPA which develops regulations, standards, policies, strategies, compliance/enforcement initiatives, compliance assistance materials, and guidance.

- Support the preparation of guidance for EPA, state, tribal inspectors in the form of manuals, fact sheets and training modules and policy documents. Assist in preparing compliance monitoring strategies, compliance assistance materials and evaluation protocols.

- Work with a team to analyze and identify new technologies that can improve the effectiveness of EPA's compliance montoring program. Projects/activities may include: helping to improve inspection and monitoring activities, data collection and maintentance, and gathering information.

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.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

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 education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.

You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

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.

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-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as experience preparing reports and analyses, gathering, assessing and analyzing data; researching data and identifying information similar to that used in environmental enforcement.-
- 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:

1. Skill in applying basic theories, concepts, principles, and methodology of an engineering and/or scientific discipline.

2. Ability to communicate in writing.

3. Abiliyt to communicate orally.

4. Ability to use analytical methods and techniques.

5. Ability to research and analyze variety of materials and data.

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

Environmental Engineer - 0819 -

You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: you must meet either paragraph A or B:

A. Engineering degree from a school of engineering with at least one or more curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus AND courses (advanced beyond first year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of mateirals (relating particle and aggregate strucutre to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

-OR-

B. Combination of education AND experience - college- level education, trianing, and/or technical experience that furnithsed: 1) a thorough knowledge of physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the brances of engineering. the adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1) Professional registration; 2) Written test-Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer in Training exam or the written test required for professional registration; 3) Specified academic courses--Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A; or 4) Related curriculum--Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or appropriate professional field provided applicant has 1 year professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Physical Scientist - 1301 -

You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: 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.

Biology/Life Science - 0401-

You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: 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.

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 .

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.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted online:

NOTE: You should redact your social security number, date of birth, and other personal information.

--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties and Qualifications sections. Your experience description needs to be clear/specific (we may not make assumptions regarding your experience).

--Responses to online assessment questionnaire (must complete online--it is not a document you upload).

--College transcripts - must submit unofficial transcripts or list of courses that includes school attended, school address, course titles, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter/semester hours earned. NOTE: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work.

--Veterans: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (%), and SF-15, ifapplicable (see page 2 of SF-15 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of DD-214 and VA letter); 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 (certification is any written document from the armed forces certifying 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). NOTE: If you are a veteran with a disability and want to be considered for employment through the Schedule A noncompetitive process, you must provide documentation as indicated in the noncompetitive appointment bullet below.

--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.

--Current and Former Federal Employees: You must submit Notification(s) of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes Position Title, Grade or Level, and Duty Station. The SF-50(s) must prove you are eligible to apply for the position and have met time-in grade:
• ELIGIBILITY - You must provide SF-50(s) demonstrating you meet the criteria in the Clarification from the Agency section at the top right of this announcement. (The most common eligibility requirements are Competitive Status [Block 24/Tenure and Block 34/Position Occupied on the SF-50] and In the Commuting Area [Block 39/Duty Station on the SF-50].)
• TIME-IN-GRADE - If you are applying for a higher grade, you must provide SF-50(s) demonstrating you have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position at the next lower grade. The next lower grade is identified in the Qualifications section of this announcement. (Some SF-50 examples that can prove you've met time-in-grade include promotions, within-grade increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job.)

--Current Federal Employees: You must submit your most recent completed annual performance appraisal, dated within the last 18 months (if it is not dated within the last 18 months, or you have not received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why). NOTE: You only need to upload the page that shows overall rating and manager/supervisor's signature, not the entire document. DURING COVID-19: If your hard copy performance appraisal is not available due to current telework requirements/recommendations, you must check your eOPF. If you are unable to access eOPF, contact your servicing HR office for assistance. If the performance appraisal is not in eOPF, you must upload a signed/dated explanation clarifying why documentation is not available due to telework.

--If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility:
• Schedule A - To be considered for employment through the Schedule A noncompetitive process for people with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities, provide documentation stating you are eligible for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Documentation must be on letterhead and include a signature and can be obtained from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. For more information, visit Schedule A Hiring Authority and Sample Letters .
• Other - Provide documentation that supports your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment.
To learn more about noncompetitive appointments, visit Special Appointment Authorities .

To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS .

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.