The Environmental Protection Specialist (EPS) plays a central role in planning and administering environmental programs. Environmental protection programs deal with the environmental impacts of human activities on air, land, water, and other natural resources.

Duties

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-7 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major Duties and Responsibilities include: Develops and implements a Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) program at the VA Hospital and coordinate the efforts of staff involved with GEMS to ensure that the GEMS is developed and implemented in accordance with VHA policy and guidance. Recommends changes in the design of facility programs to meet new environmental requirements and assist hospital services with compliance. Participates and assists with the response plans and activities to all VA and external environmental audits, surveys, inspections, etc. Serves as consultant on issues related to Federal environmental statutes including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Superfund, National Environmental Policy Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, etc. Participates in planning, organizing, implementing, and providing technical assistance for projects or issues to resolve environmental concerns. Provides technical support for the design, modification, operation and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Advises management on how environmental policies, procedures and systems will affect the operation of the hospital. Performs other assigned duties Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. In order to qualify at the GS-7 level, you must meet one of the following: Superior Academic Achievement: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: 1. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. 2. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. 3. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. 4. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. Transcripts are required at the time of application and must show that a degree was conferred in order to qualify on SAA. OR Graduate Education: One full year of graduate level education in a related field that provided the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcripts Required) OR Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in federal service that has equipped me with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes specialized knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of work relating to environmental protection programs; and experience applying knowledge of one or more program or functional areas of the environmental protection work and must include (1) an understanding of environmental laws and regulations; (2) knowledge of how to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate environmental programs; (3) practical knowledge of environmental sciences and related disciplines, the means of preventing and reducing pollution, and the relationship between environmental factors and human health well-being; and (4) practical knowledge of important historic and natural resources and the relationship between the preservation and management of these resources and environmental protection. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR Combination: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above to meet the total qualification requirements for this position. (Transcripts Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Educational Experience (ACWA)Mathematical Skills (ACWA)Rating (ACWA)Social Organizations (ACWA)Work Experience (ACWA) IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending, walking, stooping, and climbing to observe work operations and identify leaking containers in a treatment, storage, or disposal area. The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions (e.g., working at a storage, disposal, or spill site where there is risk of exposure to pesticides, hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials, or other pollutants). The environmental protection specialist must use protective clothing and/or gear when/where appropriate. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Northampton VA Medical Center 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]