Closing: 02/21/2019
For full job posting and application link please see the following website: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/524216000
Summary
This position is located in the Program Implementation (EPI), Pollution Prevention and Abatement (PP&A), Environment, Fish and Wildlife (EF&W) (E) in Bonneville Power Administration.
A successful candidate in this position will provide scientific and technical expertise for Technical and Regional Services for pollution prevention and abatement programs, projects, and natural resource protection/management issues performing the following duties.
Responsibilities
As a Physical Scientist (Environmental) in a development capacity, you will:
- Assist with building and maintaining environmental compliance credibility with external regulatory agencies.
- Provide implementation oversight of environmental requirements for a wide range of transmission projects.
- Make field visits and conductsenvironmental reviews during project construction.
- Support the design, coordination, and oversight of sampling and monitoring efforts/programs.
- Undertake field-sampling activities of a multi-media nature (primarily soil, water, and concrete sampling) in support of BPA construction, cleanup, and monitoring projects.
- Evaluate, assess, and interpret data and results of sampling and monitoring efforts.
- Respond to environmental emergencies resulting from the accidental releases of hazardous or toxic substances and petroleum products.
- Provide scientific and technical advice, guidance, and assistance to regional and other organizational personnel regarding requirements of environmental laws, regulations, Bonneville Power Administration environmental policies, plans, programs, and practices.
- Plan and carry out environmental programs and projects within the framework of applicable laws, e.g., Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, Clean Air and Water Acts, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Toxic Substance and Control Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Federal Hazardous Substances Act, National Environmental Policy Act.).
Travel Required
50% or less – Routine, frequent travel including overnight travel of 11 or more days per month for field work.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. Degree: 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–
B. Combination of education and experience: Education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:
A qualified candidate’s online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.
GS-7: Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Apply scientific principles to take measurements, collect information, learn to take proper samples, prepare graphs and data profiles, and accomplish routine analyses to support standard environmental investigations.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
- One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app —OR—
- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education.
GS-9: Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Conduct routine scientific studies, analyses and tests within established methods and procedures to identify problems related to pollution prevention and abatement programs/projects, or natural resource protection/management issues.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
- Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree, or master’s, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. —OR—
- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited).
GS-11: Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Participate in scientific studies, analyses, and tests to solve problems related to pollution prevention and abatement programs/projects, or natural resource protection/management issues.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
- Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work.
- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).
Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies (KSACs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSACs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.
- Environmental Engineering – Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods to protect and improve the quality of the environment and its resources; and to monitor, control, abate, and prevent pollutants.
- Compliance – Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
- Technical Documentation – Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
- Reasoning – Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
- Oral Communication – Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
“Experience” refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.