at Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is in Region 5, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, Air Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Branch . About Region 5: Region 5 This is an office-centered position*—you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section. Responsibilities At the entry level of this position, you will: Conduct inspections and investigations of regulated facilities for compliance with applicable regulations, permits, or other federal requirements. Provides technical advice and information on significant analytical methods, sampling techniques, etc., related to specific program areas, functions, or activities. Serve as a technical resource in the development, negotiation and litigation of both civil and criminal enforcement matters. Plan, conduct and/or provide regulatory technical assistance to complex field sampling and analytical services, facility inspections and audits. Provide assistance to regional personnel, other federal, state, local agencies, tribes, industry representatives, and concerned public citizens on the technical aspects of EPA laws and regulations. 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. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials. You will be required to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds. Position has education requirements—see Qualifications/Education section. You must submit a resume and required documents—see How to Apply section. EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings. You must be a U.S. citizen. #LI-Onsite 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. If you are selected, you may be required to 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. 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. Participation in the medical monitoring program is required. You will be required to obtain (before coming on board) and maintain a valid driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle. This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Qualifications NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement. 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 conducting site inspections under a national environmental law; OR participating in enforcement activities and recommending enforcement actions based upon inspection findings; – 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: Skill in conducting field inspections, gathering evidence, and initiating enforcement actions. Skill in written communication. Knowledge of EPA laws, regulations, policies, and practices related to enforcement and compliance activities. Ability to plan, conduct and provide technical assistance to complex field sampling for inspections or audits.\ 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 You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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 This position is in the bargaining unit. 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. 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. 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. 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 in the Overview section.
