at Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is in Region 5, Water Division. About Region 5: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-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: Assist in the implementation and coordination of an assigned water program to ensure compliance with environmental requirements and resolve routine water quality or monitoring issues, environmental and restoration problems that necessitate life science/physical science/engineering- supported solutions. Provide technical support and assistance on water quality, water monitoring and/or restoration programs and/or permit programs. Assist senior scientist in the review and implementation of environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, permits, and formal regulations and practices. Serve as a Project Officer for grants, assistance agreements and Interagency Agreements in accordance with Federal and agency policies and practices. 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 (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must submit a resume and required documents—see How to Apply section. Position has education requirements—see Qualifications/Education section. If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed. You must be a U.S. citizen. EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings. #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 still completing coursework, offer of employment will be contingent upon completion of degree/certificate program. Proof showing confer date within 9 months of the announcement closing date will be required before entry on duty. If you are selected, the entire period served under the Recent Graduates program will be a trial 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. Qualifications NOTE: If you are qualifying on the basis of general or specialized experience, you must meet the experience requirements 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-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as implementing water programs and projects. – OR 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described below – OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. 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 performing programmatic, technical, financial and/or grant functions as required including the implementation of water programs and projects; – 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: Knowledge of water program management concepts, principles and practices. Ability to evaluate water protection programs. Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws and regulations, such as the Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and/or other water quality laws, documentation and reporting requirements. Skill in oral communication sufficient to provide guidance and assistance on routine aspects of environmental protection policies, plans, and programs. Skill in written communication sufficient to respond to a wide variety of external inquiries. Knowledge of federal regulations, laws, policies and practices governing contracts and/or grants administration. 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. A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in: 0401 – Life and Biological Sciences Series: You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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. 0800 – Engineering Series: 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. 1301 – General Physical Science Series: 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 engineer
