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

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior Regions 3, 4, & 6 in Birmingham, AL. At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: 1. Assist staff by providing technical and policy guidance to State and OSMRE managers and others on Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) problem area and problem feature priority, eligibility, and reclamation technology. 2. Conduct complex analyses and prepare NEPA documents for State, Federal, and watershed organization project activities. 3. Review State and Tribes requests for authorization to proceed on AML projects. 4. Prepare recommendations and required documents for approval or disapproval of projects by direct supervisor or other regional managers, as appropriate. 5. Analyze complex statistical data obtained from State, Tribes, OSMRE and other agencies related to Program issues. 6. Develop option papers and reports to facilitate the resolution of issues identified through oversight of the State program. 7. Evaluate the programmatic aspects of financial assistance applications and reports. 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. Financial Disclosure: You will be required to file an Employment and Financial Interest-OGE-450. Physical Requirements: Work is performed in an office and in the field. Frequent travel is required to conduct field investigations. Field work is routinely performed on active mine or Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) sites on a regular basis to review mining and reclamation activities and involves the ability to walk moderate distances over rough terrain and the ability to operate of government vehicles, including four-wheel drives. Work Environment: Most of the work is performed in an office environment. Field work is routinely performed on active and/or AML sites with exposure to explosives, dust, noise, large equipment, unstable ground conditions, toxic plants and chemicals, wild animals, insects, and landslides. Protective equipment includes hard-hats, steel-toed boots, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Program reviews are performed in various State office facilities. Driver's License Requirement: Please note: You may be required to operate a government vehicle, in completion of assigned tasks i.e. site visits, field research, etc.; therefore you must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license. Salary Range Information: Birmingham, AL GS-11: ($73,230 - $95,197) per annum. GS-12: ($87,773 - $114,102) per annum. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet either (A) Specialized Experience, (B) Education, or (C) Combination of Education and Experience for the grade to which you are applying. GS-11 A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade 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: 1) Applying environmental laws, regulations, and program requirements of both abandoned mine land reclamation and active coal mining operations; 2) conducting comprehensive field visits and/or site inspections of mine land reclamation to ensure compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and program requirements, and 3) reviewing, evaluating, and/or preparing documents related to State program amendments, financial assistance applications, reports, and/or environmental assessment documents. MUST MEET ALL -OR- B. Degree: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., related to the position. -OR- C. Combination of Education and Experience: Only education in excess of the first two years of progressively higher level graduate education toward a Ph.D. or the equivalent doctorate degree may be used toward this combination (example: 2.5 years in a Ph.D. program (50%) plus 6 months of specialized experience (50%)=100%). *GS-12 A. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade 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: 1) Monitoring, analyzing, and conducting field visits to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations in order to evaluate State or Tribal programs; 2) reviewing, evaluating, and preparing documents related to State/Tribal program amendments, financial assistance applications, and reports, 3) interpreting and understanding complex program requirements, surface coal mining and reclamation plans, contracts, or other requirements of State or Tribal programs, and 4) reviewing and analyzing the efficiency and effectiveness of programs, practices, policies, and regulations, and identifying matters requiring corrective action. MUST MEET ALL *NOTE: At the GS-12 level you may NOT substitute education for experience. 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

Education: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements.

Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Contacts

• Address Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 1849 C Street, NW Room 1551 Washington, DC 35290 US
• Name: HR Assistant
• Phone: 703-787-1446
• Email: [email protected]