The Environmental Protection Specialist, henceforth titled VHA Green Environmental Management System Manager(GEMS Program Manager) is the VA's primary approach and responsible person that addresses environmental performance in a manner that meets the requirements of Federal, state and local environmental statutes and regulations; applicable Executive Orders and VA and VHA Directives.

Duties

Identifies and implement training, policies, operational requirements, and engineering controls needed to comply with evolving and dynamic environmental regulatory requirements. Establishes operational controls for significant aspects. Evaluate and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists and other control documents and activities where necessary to ensure that operational controls are effective and documented. Develops and implements a communication plan to ensure employees are aware of the GEMS program and the environmental aspects and impacts pertaining to their job duties. Set environmental objectives and targets, based upon the significant environmental aspects, on annual basis in order to pursue continual improvement of environmental performance. Develops an Environmental Management Plan for each target and significant environmental aspect. Facilitates VISN Environmental GEMS Audit (VEGA) at VAPAHCS or at other facilities within VISN. Develops an action plan with management to address VEGA findings and corrective/preventive actions to address environmental deficiencies in a timely manner. Collects environmental management and compliance audit results. Chairs the GEMS Committee, and leads the planning, organization, and development of all Committees initiatives and activities. Oversees the Environmental Management System to ensure effective implementation across all appropriate organizational levels. Identifies and implements training, policies, operational requirements, and engineering controls needed to comply with evolving and dynamic environmental regulatory requirements. Provides guidance to management and Leadership to address environmental findings and ensure that the health care systems programs satisfactorily address environmental compliance, operational controls and procedures related to environmental aspects. Develops and carries out an environmental training plan for affected staff so they are competent to perform operational controls related to the environmental aspects and impacts of their job. Inspects and audits conducted by US Environmental Protection Agency, State environmental regulatory agencies, local environmental inspection agencies, and when required to notify an environmental regulatory agency due to a spill/release or other incident. Manages compliance activities including legal proceedings such as Notices to Comply, Notices of Violation, Compliance Action plans, work with internal and external legal entities towards compliance, and settle fines and fees associated with regulatory actions. Prepares and submits an annual management review report of the GEMS program following ISO 14001 protocol to the VA medical facility Director, VISN GEMS Manager, and national VA/VHA GEMS Leadership. Develops and submits all required documentation to external regulatory agencies including but not limited to EPA. Assess performance as it relates to regulatory compliance and GEMS program conformance and informing facility management of findings. Acts as the primary point-of contact and speak on behalf of the VAPAHCS with Federal, State, and local regulatory and other agencies, tribal organizations, and the public for environmental issues. Provides guidance, oversight, and consultation with management to consult and resolve to address and resolve compliance findings. Monitors environmental compliance through ongoing review of operations and program management as they pertain to Federal, State, and local environmental statutes, regulations and other related environmental requirements, Executive Orders, VA and VHA policies. Advises the Office of Facility Planning and Development (OFPD) and Engineering Service to ensure that VAPAHCS projects comply with and address all regulatory and compliance needs. Assists with the develop of necessary documents required to comply with the Federal, state, local regulatory requirements. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist- Safety Service/PD00148A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Issues practices and procedures to resolve problems of major significance on a regional and state scales. Develops and maintains environmental management activities, develops guidelines and operational procedures. Analyzing data pertaining to all Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities in the nation. Makes decisions or recommendations significantly changing, interpreting, or expanding important Health Care System policies and programs. Drafts complex rulemaking notices and securing concurrence of affected offices or evaluating regulatory implementation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationEnvironmental EngineeringFollow DirectionsPlanning and EvaluatingTechnical Competence 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work may require some physical effort (e.g. walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle). 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Desiree Carter
• Phone: 504-314-5492
• Email: [email protected]