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

Major Duties and Responsibilities include:

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/15/2023. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below. In order to qualify at the GS-7 level, you must meet one of the following: 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 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. 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 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) In order to qualify at the GS-9 level you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Environmental Protection Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes: having a broad professional knowledge and skill in applying a range of environmental theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods to perform a range of assignments; planning, implementing, and evaluating environmental protection programs; administering a green environmental management program; leading environmental facility inspections to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; advising management on environmental program status; preparing reports; and training others on specific environmental topics. NOTE: This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Note: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR COMBINATION: Combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. Note: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. In order to qualify at the GS-11 level you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: I have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09), that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of Environmental Protection Specialist. Specialized experience include but not limited to : Developing facility wide and service specific objectives and targets, and procedures for the program; evaluating work practices, determining compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and developing changes to control or eliminate potential or existing hazards or violations: and/or investigating routine violations of all environmental (Including pesticide, DOT, OSHA, EPA and DEP) laws and preparing abatement actions. OR EDUCATION: I have successfully completed a PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or (2) Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. Such education that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this Environmental Protection Specialist position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR I have equivalent combination of graduate education and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total experience requirements at the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsComplianceEnvironmental EngineeringHazardous MaterialsTechnical 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.

Education

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.

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/.

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

Transcripts are required at the time of application and must show that a degree was conferred in order to qualify on SAA.

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: Jessica Nieves
• Phone: 413-584-4040 X6777
• Email: [email protected]