at Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is in Region 5, Water Division. About Region 5: Region 5 Website 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 You will: Provide professional scientific/engineering technical, regulatory, and programmatic advice, oversight and assistance to state/local/tribal governments and others on matters relating to the development, execution, and monitoring of environmental protection policies, plans, and programs. Provide technical and programmatic leadership for one or more specialized areas of environmental science/engineering including water infrastructure. Lead investigations and/or studies of environmental conditions in support of such activities as water infrastructure. Apply analytical methods and techniques to analyze a wide range of scientific, engineering, environmental protection and/or environmental management issues Review and evaluate wide variety of environmental and human health data/ data sources to be used in environmental assessment and decision-making through application of concepts in environmental science in relation to visualizing and quantifying environmental data. 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 25-50% 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 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 High 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: 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 reviewing environmental programs or infrastructure funding to state, local and tribal governments; assisting in advising customers on environmental programs. – 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. 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 reviewing and monitoring of environmental programs and water infrastructure funding to state, local and tribal governments; assisting in advising customers on environmental programs. Your application package will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Knowledge of water infrastructure projects and programs. Skill in reviewing wastewater or water infrastructure projects, facilities and/or processes. Skill in oral communication. Skill in written 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 need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position. 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 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 reali
