at Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary This position is in Region 5, Superfund and Emergency Management Division, Remedial Response Branch 1, Site Assessment and Grants Section. 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 You will: Conduct internal reviews of preliminary Hazard Ranking System (HRS) packages from States and contractors. Conduct community relations activities as related to Site Assessment. Create and maintain official records and respond to congressional inquiries and requests for information submitted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Mentor and provide site specific advice and guidance to other Site Assessment Managers on technical and policy issues involved with Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Site Assessment/Pre-Remedial activities. Serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for assigned sites in Region 5. Serve, participate in, and direct special projects, work groups, and/or task forces on issues of regional importance with respect to pre-remedial activities. 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. EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings. You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials. #LI-DNI 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. 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. You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. 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 basic entry education requirements, you must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below: To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as providing technical review and advice on Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Site Assessment programs; experience with Hazard Ranking System (HRS) packages. Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of Superfund Site Assessment Program, Hazard Ranking System (HRS), and related National Priorities List (NPL) protocols and procedures. Ability to analyze pre-remedial assessments and cleanup efforts to evaluate effectiveness in achieving the Agency objectives and recommend improvement. Ability to establish and maintain effective personal contacts and working relationships with staff for the Region, Agency, state, regulated community and other targeted audiences. Skill in use of automated data systems. Skill in oral communication. Skill in written communication. Knowledge of Federal contracting, grants and cooperative agreement principles, practices, and procedures unique to Superfund contracting vehicles. 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 Life Scientist (0401) 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. Environmental Engineer (0819) You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR 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. Physical Scientist (1301) 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. Hydrologist (1315) You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The coursework must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included the described coursework. Geologist (1350) You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics,
