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General Engineer/Physical Scientist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Nov 3, 2020
Duties

Summary

These positions are in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Compliance Division, Fuel Compliance Center - Policy.

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

About the Office of Air and Radiation.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

At the entry level of this position, you will:

- As a contributor on team-based projects, gather and analyze scientific and market data to develop, modify, and implement current fuel policies, register parties to produce and distribute fuel, as well as evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements;

- Participate in the engineering and statistical design of fuel or fuel feedstock test programs and conduct statistical analysis on the resulting data in order to provide programmatic and compliance oversight and guidance for stakeholders;

- Participate in the drafting of documents, briefings, memoranda, letters, and articles that support the development, implementation, and compliance oversight of fuels-related actions, policies, and guidelines;

- Communicate environmental programs, policies, data, and analyses of technical and non-technical information to internal and external partners;

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

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • 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.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.


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 selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

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-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as participating in fuels-related studies as part of a team; and preparing technical reports to be used for policy making.

- 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 below
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your application package will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of fuels studies; 2) Ability to constructively contribute to team-based projects; 3) Knowledge of statistical analysis methods; 4) Skill in engineering project design and analysis; 5) Skill in written communication; 6) Skill in oral communication; 7) Skill in building and maintaining professional relationships.

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.

Engineers:

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 .

    Physical Scientists: You must have a bachelor's or higher 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

    For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

    Additional information

    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.

    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

    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.

    This position is in the bargaining unit.

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

    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. All eligible applicants will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration, and you may be subject to assessments during the selection process. If you are selected, we will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the qualification requirements.

    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    No

    Required Documents

    Documents to be submitted online:

    NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.

    --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.
    --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.

    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.

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