The Environmental Protection Specialist is assigned to Safety and Emergency Management Service, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS), Temple, TX. The incumbent will perform duties related to the facility's Industrial Hygiene and GEMS (Green Environmental Management Systems) program; the federal Clean Water Act (CWA)/ Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); and the state's Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements for water quality management.

Duties

The incumbent serves as the facility's manager of the water program and will perform a variety of duties as follows: Water Quality Specialist duties: Performing Clean Water Act (CWA)/ Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and the state's Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements for water quality management and have the ability to research new and proposed regulations. Directing and conducting the water quality surveillance program including a complex array of local testing of water for various potential bacteriological and chemical contaminants and ensuring all water sampling data is exchanged. Managing permits (e.g., construction, industrial, municipal storm water) with responsibility of record-keeping and reporting (e.g., water permit reports, requirements specified in permits). Providing close oversight to contractors and veterans assigned to the water program, while consulting with vocational rehabilitation staff on an on-going basis. Program Development & Administration by Planning, organizing and implementing aggressive, creative and dynamic Water Program. coordinating efforts, identifying needs and developing Environmental Program Requirements (EPRs). Financial Management by planning, budgeting and contracting (serving as Contracting Officer an Technical Representative - COTR), developing scope of work to support CWA compliance. Personnel Management by coordinating with staffing at various collection sites; coordinating work schedules and recommending personnel decisions and assignments. Outreach and Education duties that develops, coordinates and presents public information and education programs materials; initiates and maintains effective briefings on the impact of CWA regulations; establishes working relationships with local, state and federal agencies, government officials, community organizations and others; develop and maintain reports. Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS): Key member of the facility's GEM Committee duties include: Environmental Compliance: Assist GEMS Coordinator in major environmental compliance Hazardous Waste Management: Assist with identification, collection and disposal of RCRA hazardous wastes, while ensuring waste streams are in compliance with federal, state and local government laws and regulations. Spills Response: Assists with response to environmental emergencies including release/spills of hazardous materials, and in the acquisition of equipment Data Management: Manages environmental computer programs and databases such as CP Track. Industrial Hygiene: Performs various duties assisting in conducting complex studies, conducting routine surveys, analyzing findings, and preparing data for inclusion in reports and writing portions of reports for Central Texas VA health Care Systems (CTVHCS): Inspections and Surveys: Evaluating environmental exposure and determining compliance with established Occupational Exposure Limits; recommending control measures and modifications; ensuring PPE risk assessments; eyewash/safety shower assessments; and lab inspections. Sampling and Instrumentation: Maintains, repairs and tracks all industrial hygiene (IH) instrumentation in order to determine nature and degree of hazard for a variety of materials and environments. Ascertain the validity of results for possible sampling error or equipment malfunctions and decide if readings are within acceptable limits. Respiratory Protection Program: Fit-testing of N-95 filtering facepiece and half-mask elastomeric respirators, inspection, and maintenance of Powered-Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR's), and maintaining a database of all program participants Responds to inquiries and provides technical assistance to VAMC personnel. Advising on the overall planning and programming requirements for the operations and maintenance of such programs at VAMC. Pertains to the interpretation and implementation of (and compliance with) environmental management policy directives and applicable procedures and involves subjects directly related to GEMS, pollution, and environmental compliance. Participates in training sessions for VAMC personnel. Back-up/support responsibility to various extents for Industrial Hygiene and GEMS programs. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Compressed tour - 9 hours days and one 8 hour day per pay period: 8:00am - 5:30pm (9 hour), 8:00am - 4:30pm (8 hour) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/ PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist: GS-09/HA674-00543-A GS:11/HA674-00541-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 announcement closing date, 08/16/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants with 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 9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 7; For GS 11, you must have served 52 weeks at GS 9. 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 and/or education s described below: GS-09 Level: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but not limited to: Experience understanding state and federal regulations such as the Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act and Commission on Environmental Quality requirements ensuring compliance with laws and regulations; Assisting with management of permits for construction, industrial, storm water, or environmental for required record-keeping and reporting; Conducting internal audits, risk management planning, and pollution prevention to ensure compliance with regulations; Communicating issues and relaying information related to environmental compliance to leadership; Summarizing data to prepare environmental and water permit reports; Identifying basic program needs, performs industrial hygiene inspections to prevent health hazards for employees; Assisting in overseeing permit requirements, contract clauses; and evaluating the effectiveness of water quality management systems; OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required); OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate education one year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement). To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first year of graduate education). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Transcripts Required) GS-11 Level: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but not limited to: Experience interpreting state and federal regulations such as the Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act and Commission on Environmental Quality requirements for water management; Preparing spreadsheets and reports; conducting water analysis and testing for various bacterial and chemical contaminants; and communicating issues and relaying information related to environmental compliance to leadership; Evaluating permit applications for construction, industrial, wastewater, storm water, and drinking water; Summarizing data to prepare environmental and water permit reports; and interpreting environmental protection rules and regulations; Performing industrial hygiene inspections to prevent health hazards for employees ensuring required protective equipment and safe work practices are in place; Determining compliance with environmental regulations and policies, permit requirements, contract clauses; and evaluating the effectiveness of water quality management systems; OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR a directly related LL.M. (Transcripts Required); OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond two (2) years of graduate education one year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement). To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first year of graduate education). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Transcripts Required). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Environmental Engineering External Awareness Forward Thinking Technical Competence Vulnerabilities Assessment Experience refers to paid or 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 includes frequent site visits of water permit activities throughout the installation, requiring moderate physical exertion when inspecting point and non-point source discharges to verify CWA compliance. Activities may include extensive lifting, reaching, bending, walking, and standing on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. Incumbent frequently lifts and carries materials up to 40 pounds. Use of forklifts is required for moving materials more than 75 pounds. Sedentary desk work is also required, including use of the computer for generating reports, proposals, promotional materials, etc. 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

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]