5:37PM
Environmental Scientist
Job Title: Environmental Scientist; GS-1301-12
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Sub Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Job Announcement Number: LV-R10-DE-2011-0046
SALARY RANGE: |
$73,420.00 - $95,444.00 /year |
OPEN PERIOD: |
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 to Thursday, September 15, 2011 |
SERIES & GRADE: |
GS-1301-12/12 |
POSITION INFORMATION: |
Full-Time Permanent |
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: |
12 |
DUTY LOCATIONS: |
1 vacancy(s) in one of the following locations: Seattle, WA |
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: |
Any U.S. citizen may apply. |
JOB SUMMARY:
| Earth Day is every day at EPA! Come help us protect the environment! Our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career-we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. Discover how exciting safeguarding our natural resources and protecting human health can be. We consistently rank as one of the top Federal agencies in which to work, with great benefits and work flexibilities. Find yourself at EPA. See more about us here: http://www.epa.gov. This position is located in Region 10, Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Services Unit, Seattle,WA. For more information on this office, visit their website: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/oea.nsf |
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KEY REQUIREMENTS:
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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:
Seattle, WA
You will:
-Assist with developing data quality objectives & Quality Assurance (QA) plans by providing guidance and specialized technical assistance; review these QA plans for consistency with Agency & QA policy guidance.; participate in the development of Regional QA guidance and polices.
-Assess the quality systems of Regional monitoring programs to determine conformance with Agency QA policies, procedures, and practices; Document these findings and make recommendation for corrections and improvements.
-Participate in on-site Quality System Reviews (QSRs) and Technical System Audits (TSAs) of Regional, State, local agencies, universities, and private contractor laboratories engaged in Agency monitoring programs for and by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
-Perform verification and validation of the data generated by the environmental data collection activities through evaluation and assessment, then determines its applicability for decision-making process and program use; review statements of work used for special analytical contract requests.
-Serve as a technical consultant to Regional programs, state, local and tribal agencies, private contractors, industry, and the general public in areas of sample collection, handling, documentation, field and laboratory analytical methodologies, organic and inorganic chemistry data assessment and validation, and QA/OC including the development of new initiatives and technology technical information transfer, and responses to technical problems or issues as well as participates in training workshops by these entities.
-Assist with developing data quality objectives & Quality Assurance (QA) plans by providing guidance and specialized technical assistance; review these QA plans for consistency with Agency & QA policy guidance.; participate in the development of Regional QA guidance and polices.
-Assess the quality systems of Regional monitoring programs to determine conformance with Agency QA policies, procedures, and practices; Document these findings and make recommendation for corrections and improvements.
-Participate in on-site Quality System Reviews (QSRs) and Technical System Audits (TSAs) of Regional, State, local agencies, universities, and private contractor laboratories engaged in Agency monitoring programs for and by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
-Perform verification and validation of the data generated by the environmental data collection activities through evaluation and assessment, then determines its applicability for decision-making process and program use; review statements of work used for special analytical contract requests.
-Serve as a technical consultant to Regional programs, state, local and tribal agencies, private contractors, industry, and the general public in areas of sample collection, handling, documentation, field and laboratory analytical methodologies, organic and inorganic chemistry data assessment and validation, and QA/OC including the development of new initiatives and technology technical information transfer, and responses to technical problems or issues as well as participates in training workshops by these entities.
Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience defined as 1) Applying quality assurance/quality control standards for programs involving field collection of environmental media (e.g., air, water, soil). & 2)Performing quality control and quality assurance assessments on nvironmental data in compliance with quality management plans, quality assurance project plans, and standard operating procedures.
Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your
competencies in the following areas:
-Knowledge of environmental science fields, methods, and procedures involved in the compilation of technical findings presented.
-Ability to provide guidance and technical assistance developing data quality objectives and Quality Assurance plans.
-Ability to communicate technical or scientific information orally.
-Knowledge of quality systems and assessments, quality assurance and quality control program requirements and guidelines, polices, methodologies, protocols, and data quality objectives.
-Ability to determine conformance with policies, procedures, and practices in order to assess quality systems.
-Ability to utilize computer systems to prepare samples collection strategies, as well as interpretation, analysis, and graphical presentation of environmental data.
-Ability to communicate in writing.
-Knowledge of established and performance-based field and analytical methodologies and measurement techniques used in data analysis of environmental samples.
-Knowledge of contractor requests and statements of work.
-Knowledge of field sample collection and measurement techniques.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: Physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.
As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here:
http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm
If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.
This position is designated as Low Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience defined as 1) Applying quality assurance/quality control standards for programs involving field collection of environmental media (e.g., air, water, soil). & 2)Performing quality control and quality assurance assessments on nvironmental data in compliance with quality management plans, quality assurance project plans, and standard operating procedures.
Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your
competencies in the following areas:
-Knowledge of environmental science fields, methods, and procedures involved in the compilation of technical findings presented.
-Ability to provide guidance and technical assistance developing data quality objectives and Quality Assurance plans.
-Ability to communicate technical or scientific information orally.
-Knowledge of quality systems and assessments, quality assurance and quality control program requirements and guidelines, polices, methodologies, protocols, and data quality objectives.
-Ability to determine conformance with policies, procedures, and practices in order to assess quality systems.
-Ability to utilize computer systems to prepare samples collection strategies, as well as interpretation, analysis, and graphical presentation of environmental data.
-Ability to communicate in writing.
-Knowledge of established and performance-based field and analytical methodologies and measurement techniques used in data analysis of environmental samples.
-Knowledge of contractor requests and statements of work.
-Knowledge of field sample collection and measurement techniques.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: Physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.
As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here:
http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm
If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.
This position is designated as Low Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications Section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the on-line assessment. Your responses to the on-line assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position. You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the 'Best Qualified', 'Well Qualified', or 'Qualified' Category.
We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.
NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.
To preview questions please click here.
We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.
NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.
To preview questions please click here.
Benefits and Other Info
BENEFITS:
Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The following Web addresses are provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. To find out more visit Benefits. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents and visit the EPA website for additional information http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm.
EPA participates in e-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm.
This information is used to determine your qualifications for employment. The use of this information is authorized under Title 5 USC, Sections 3302 and 3361.
If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.
EPA participates in e-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm.
This information is used to determine your qualifications for employment. The use of this information is authorized under Title 5 USC, Sections 3302 and 3361.
If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.
How To Apply
HOW TO APPLY:
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply On-line button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of this announcement.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USA Jobs document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply on-line, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed to the right for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the closing date of this announcement.
For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application
package is received, go to http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm .
To begin the application process, click the Apply On-line button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of this announcement.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USA Jobs document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply on-line, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed to the right for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the closing date of this announcement.
For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application
package is received, go to http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm .
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Documents to be submitted on-line:
--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties Section and Qualifications Required Section.
--Responses to the on-line assessment questionnaire
--College transcripts - required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes grades earned, completion dates, and
quarter or semester hours earned.
--Veterans' Preference Documents (DD-214, VA Letter, and SF-15, if
applicable; active duty military submit statement of service from
commanding officer documenting dates of active duty and any campaign
medals/badges; include character of service).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP (Provide these documents: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application.)
Additional information can be found on our web site:
http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm
--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties Section and Qualifications Required Section.
--Responses to the on-line assessment questionnaire
--College transcripts - required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes grades earned, completion dates, and
quarter or semester hours earned.
--Veterans' Preference Documents (DD-214, VA Letter, and SF-15, if
applicable; active duty military submit statement of service from
commanding officer documenting dates of active duty and any campaign
medals/badges; include character of service).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP (Provide these documents: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application.)
Additional information can be found on our web site:
http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
John C. Castaneda
Phone: 702-798-2401
Fax: 702-798-2416
TDD: 702-798-2124
Email: TeamVegas@epa.govAgency Information:
Environmental Protection Agency
US Environmental Protection Agency
Human Resources Management Division
Las Vegas, NV 89193-8516
Fax: 702-798-2416
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line occupational questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.
