Duties

Summary

The positions are located in the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Office of Atmospheric Programs (OAP) in the divisions below:

• Clean Air Markets Division
• Climate Protection Partnership Division
• Stratospheric Protection Division
• Climate Change Division

The division will be determined after a selection has been made for the position.

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

You will:

• Advise on the development of regulatory and non-regulatory climate protection and air quality policies and programs;
• Analyze and summarize technical, economic, and scientific information to support assessments of alternative options for regulatory development and program implementation pertaining to environmental laws and programs;
• Monitor, assess, and report on the effectiveness of climate protection and air programs;
• Represent the Division and Agency on national and international work groups and committees for the development of policies and programs to protect the ozone layer, address climate change, and improve regional air quality.

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. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

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.
• 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.

As required by Executive Order 14043, if you are selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by 11/22/21, or before onboarding with the agency if after 11/22/21, except in limited circumstances. For information about COVID-19 workplace safety at EPA, as well as resources and health and safety guidance, visit COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace .

Qualifications

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

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 conducting public policy or market analysis; preparing written analysis of policy options addressing public sector issues.

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 developing or advising on public policy or market analysis; preparing written analysis of policy options addressing public sector issues; presenting or making recommendations on scientific or technical findings.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of environmental protection policies and programs; 2) Ability to advise on environmental issues; 3) Skill in data gathering and analysis; 4) Ability to correlate environmental data and verify scientific/technical results; 5) Skill in written communication; 6) Skill in program management; 7) Ability to collaborate with diverse group of professionals; 8) Skill in oral 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.

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

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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.

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 .

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

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency's workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA .

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.

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. You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified', ‘Well Qualified', or ‘Qualified' category. NOTE: Preference eligible veterans must be selected, or decline further consideration, before applicants who are ineligible for veterans' preference can be selected (to learn more, visit Veterans' Preference ).

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 Knowledges, 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

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).

--Veterans' Preference Documents:
Separated veterans claiming 5-point preference:

• - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge)

Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more:

• - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service); document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge); and
• - VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage); and
• - SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form ) (see page 2 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214 and VA letter)

Other separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference:

• - SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form ); and
• - Other required documentation indicated on the SF-15

Active duty service members:

• - 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 (Honorable or General Discharge) 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.

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