Environmental Protection Specialist – Direct Hire

To determine if you are eligible for, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked a few questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience in your resume or you may be deemed ineligible. For the GS-07: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following experience and/or education requirements. On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, which included: Experience gathering data and reviewing technical information on environmental activities to identify and solve problems of a procedural or factual nature. Or on Education, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education (above a bachelor’s) OR superior academic achievement* at the baccalaureate level. *Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.) Class standing — Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) — Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. For the GS-09: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following experience and/or education requirements. On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, which included: Experience working with environmental protection programs that included work in one or more of the following areas (note that this experience can be gained by assisting higher-graded employees): reviewing environmental rulemaking and regulations; compliance and enforcement; environmental considerations and documentation; preservation and environmental protection; environmental assessments; environmental compliance and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and NEPA. Or on Education, you must have at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or have been awarded a master’s or equivalent graduate degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Written Communication – Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. 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 clues, and responds appropriately. For all types of consideration, 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; religious; 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. Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
The position is in a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Federal-aid or Federal Lands Highway Division. You will perform developmental assignments on program- and project-related issues associated with the Federal-aid Highway Program with a focus on ensuring transportation projects meet all implementing regulations and procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other related environmental legislation, Executive Orders, and FHWA policies and procedures.