Job opening: Abandoned Mine Lands and Regulatory Program Specialist
Salary: $82 830 - 111 257 per year
Published at: Aug 16 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is a bureau within the United States Department of the Interior. OSMRE is responsible for establishing a nationwide program to protect society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal mining operations, under which OSMRE is charged with balancing the nation's need for continued domestic coal production with protection of the environment.
Duties
These positions are located within the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to be filled in Green Tree, PA and Charleston, WV or Wise, VA.
The OSMRE's mission is to carry out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) in cooperation with States and Tribes. Our primary objectives are to ensure that coal mines are operated in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining and assures that the land is restored to beneficial use following mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a regional subject matter expert to exercise responsibility for monitoring, evaluating, advising on, and assisting with various activities of one or more State/Tribal Regulatory and Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) programs, and other OSMRE missions approved by the Secretary of Interior under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977.
At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Monitors, evaluates complex factors, reports on and proposes actions to improve the State/Tribes' AML and Regulatory Programs by examining the adequacy of State/Tribal laws and regulations, various components of the surface mining AML and Regulatory Programs, and the adequacy of human and financial resources to support the programs.
Conducts comprehensive analyses of issues using statistical data obtained from the State/Tribes, OSMRE documents and reports, mine inspection and AML site visit reports, and other appropriate data and information.
Provides comprehensive guidance and assistance to State/Tribal Officials relating to the development, execution, and maintenance of approved AML and Regulatory Programs.
Analyzes complex issues that affect the overall accomplishment of the OSMRE's mission and provides recommendations for action, including resources as required.
Develops and conducts annual oversight studies and prepares reports to facilitate the resolution of issues identified through oversight of the State/Tribal programs.
Reviews, analyzes, and prepares documents related to the State/Tribal program amendment process and assures that these documents are complete, accurate, and conform to OSMRE policies.
Evaluates the programmatic aspects of financial assistance applications and reports.
Conducts field site visits and inspections throughout the assigned Region which address all aspects of OSMRE oversight activities.
Salary Range Information:
Green Tree, PA: $85,582-$111,257 per annum.
Wise, VA and Charleston, WV: $82,830-$107,680 per annum.
First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position you must meet the Specialized Experience for the grade to which you are applying.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
Monitoring, analyzing, and conducting field visits to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations in order to evaluate State or Tribal programs.
Reviewing, evaluating, and preparing documents related to State/Tribal program amendments, financial assistance applications, and reports.
Applying program requirements, surface coal mining and reclamation plans, contracts, or other requirements of State or Tribal programs.
Reviewing and analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness of programs, practices, policies, and regulations, and identifying matters requiring corrective action.
MUST MEET ALL.
Additional Information
Driver's License Requirement:
You may be required to operate a government vehicle, to complete assigned tasks i.e. site visits, field research, etc.; therefore you must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Physical Requirements:
Work is performed in an office and in the field. Frequent travel to State/Tribal offices and to OSMRE facilities is required. Field work is routinely performed on active mine or AML sites on a regular basis to review mining and reclamation activities and involves strenuous physical activity such as extensive walking and climbing of steep grades in a wide variety of climatic conditions.
Work Environment:
Most work is performed in an office environment. Field work is routinely performed on active mine or AML sites on a regular basis with exposure to explosives, dust, noise, heavy equipment, toxic plants, and chemicals, wild animals, insects, and landslides. Protective equipment includes
hard-hats, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, ear plugs and/or muffs. Program reviews are performed in various State/Tribal office facilities. Low level aerial overflights of mining and reclamation operations in fixed wing or rotary aircraft may be required.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Contacts
- Address Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
1849 C Street, NW
Room 1551
Washington, DC 20240
US
- Name: HR Assistant
- Phone: 703-787-1446
- Email: [email protected]