Duties

Summary

This position is located in Washington DC, with the Department of Energy, Loan Program Office. A successful candidate in this position will advise the Director of Environmental Compliance for the Loan Programs Office (LPO) on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-related matters.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

An GS-0028-14 Environmental Protection Specialist:

• Works with applicants and contractors on the development of environmental documentation to be used in the development of required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental and cultural resource analysis, as necessary for analyzing proposed loan guarantee projects.
• Applies knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and guidance that affect the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process; including the National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Tribal consultation.
• Prepares interagency coordination agreements such as programmatic agreements, cooperating agency agreements, memorandums of agreement, memorandums of understanding, and third party contracting agreements.
• Researches, analyzes, and interprets case law and highly complex data and issues in order to guide and advise project sponsors and contractors in the appropriate environmental impact analyses required for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation (and other, related environmental and cultural resource topics) preparation.
• Facilitates meetings and effectively communicates ideas and recommendations to senior government officials in a manner that supports acceptance of positions and recommendations.
• Manages the document preparation process for environmental and historic preservation requirements, including Environmental Assessments (EAs), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), EIS Records of Decision (RODs), and other National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-related documentation; including timely quality control of these documents.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• All supplemental documentation MUST BE received by the closing date.
• Meet all time-in-grade and qualification requirements by the closing date

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). For additional information and to obtain the form, please visit the Office of Government Ethics.
• This position is included in a Bargaining Agreement.
  

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as providing environmental analysis and knowledge of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental and technical requirements.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

Expert knowledge of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) legislative requirements; the preparation or managing the preparation of related environmental documentation; and demonstrated experience developing NEPA guidance and advising Federal and contractor staff on NEPA and related environmental and cultural resource compliance matters pertaining to proposed loan guarantee projects.

Experience demonstrating the ability to comply with National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations, Clean Air Act Conformity, Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland permitting reviews, and government to government consultation with Tribes.

Ability to prepare interagency coordination agreements and to work with third parties and applicants for federal grants, licenses, permits, and approvals.

Experience reviewing and analyzing case law to inform and guide environmental compliance strategies.

Ability to speak to a wide variety of audiences and to write reports, articles and other published material.

Skill and experience in directing and advising on environmental and cultural resource impact analyses for complex Environmental Assessments (EAs) or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no education substitutions or requirements for this position.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register . If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.

EEO Policy: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal/fed_employees/index.cfm
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/reasonable-accommodations/
Veterans Information: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans-preference/

Telework: www.telework.gov

Selective Service Registration: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/fair-and-transparent/selective-service/

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

We will also verify that you are eligible for Merit Promotion positions by reviewing your previous Federal employment to ensure you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. If you are eligible to apply to Merit Promotion announcements based on Veteran or other non-competitive statuses, we will verify your supporting documentation prior to referral.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
If you are unsure, click the link for each document type to read more.

ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a about what is expected in your resume." href="https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.

• Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of the each employer.
• For all types of work experience, you should indicate the start and end dates (include month, day, and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked.
• For paid work experience, please indicate your starting grade/salary for each position and the highest grade/salary you earned (if different).
• Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.

Most DOE offices will allow you to submit a resume in the format of your choice (as an attached document or as a USAJOBS Resume Builder format). However, some offices may require one specific format. You will be notified at the time you click 'Apply Online' which type of resume is acceptable. It is important that you are complete and thorough in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume, we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.

Current and former Federal employees: Most recent SF-50 (Standard Form 50 - Notice of Personnel Action).

To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility!

Full position title;

appointment type;

occupational series;

pay plan, grade, and step;

tenure code; and

service computation date (SCD).

If specific educational requirements are indicated for this vacancy: experience." href="https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. Please see the Education section for more information.

Veterans: authorities and the documentation you need to submit" href="http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">veteran eligibility documentation (DD-214 Member #4 Copy, VA Letter, Standard Form (SF) 15 as applicable). Please note: If you are a veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.

Persons with Disabilities: Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may apply for appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. flexibilities for persons with disabilities" href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Certified verification of a disability from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal, state, or District of Columbia agency or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits will be required.

Displaced Federal employees who qualify for CTAP/ICTAP: If you are a former Federal employee who was displaced due to a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) or surplused by some other means, please submit a copy of the separation letter or RIF notice from your agency. To be selected under I/CTAP, you must still be found well-qualified for this position. Please see the OPM Guide to Career Transition for more information.