BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST (ENVIRONMENTAL) – INTERDISCIPLINARY

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Community Planning Series 0020: Community Planning Series 0020 (opm.gov) General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401: General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401 (opm.gov) General Engineering Series 0801: all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf (opm.gov) Environmental Engineering Series 0819: all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf (opm.gov) General Physical Science Series 1301: General Physical Science Series, 1301 (opm.gov) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes professional knowledge and abilities applicable to a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE GS-12: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes professional knowledge and abilities applicable to a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions. Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects. Knowledge of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. OR EDUCATION FOR THE GS-11 POSITION: I have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs) FOR THE GS-11 AND GS-12: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform project development, execution, training, and advisory services in assigned projects. Knowledge to troubleshoot environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices, and health, safety, and security practices. Skill to integrate an interdisciplinary team of professionals to include attorneys, public health specialists, public affairs specialists, biological scientists, environmental engineers, physical scientists, general engineers, community planners, regulators, other governmental officials, and community groups. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, and establish effective working relationships with others. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a developmental capacity in the Environmental Program performing management, execution, and operations for an assigned program element(s) under the direct guidance of a higher-grade Environmental Professional. The full performance (target) and out-placement grade for this position is GS-12; (CONTINUED IN DUTIES SECTION). Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.