Environmental Protection Specialist

To qualify for this position at the FV-G level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-F or FG/GS-4 level. Specialized experience at the FV-G level is editing technical documents and writing for a wide audience so that complex issues can be conveyed to the general public. To qualify for this position at the FV-H level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-G or FG/GS-5-9 levels. Specialized experience at the FV-H level is experience synthesizing the written work products across a wide variety of environmental disciplines. Editing technical documents, and writing for a wide audience so that complex issues can be conveyed to the general public, and overseeing the environmental regulatory process, including scoping, public participation and public notice and communicating this process to others. To qualify for this position at the FV-I level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H or FG/GS-10-12 levels. Specialized experience at the FV-I level is experience in applying environmental/NEPA policy, including DOT and other federal agencies. Ability to utilize Critical Path scheduling involving multiple stakeholders with overlapping milestones. Experience with State, Native American and other non-federal interested parties. You should include relevant example of specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. This position may be filled at the FV-G, FV-H or FV-I level. Identification of promotion in the vacancy announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon the selectee meeting training, qualification requirements, higher level work be available and recommendation by the supervisor. H BAND DUTIES continued – Applies experience and detailed technical knowledge to plan and accomplish assignments. Assists more experienced Environmental Protection Specialists (EPS) with reviewing Airport Noise Compatibility Studies prepared pursuant to 14 CFR Part 150. Provides input to Planners, Engineers, and airport sponsors in the development of Airport Capital Improvement Plans and Master plans to ensure compliance with NEPA and other environmental laws. Provides input to Part 139 inspectors and other lines of business to minimize environmental impacts while promoting airport/aviation safety. This includes participation in the development and review of Wildlife Hazard Assessments and Management Plans. Assists with the review of Scopes of Work, payment requests and related project documents. Reviews grant applications, payment requests and other grant-related documents. Determines eligibility of work on projects involving environment studies or assessments. Prepares correspondence for review by more experienced EPS’s including Congressional correspondence, briefing papers, approval letters and guidance to sponsors associated with all aspects of airport development. Demonstrates some independence in planning time and using assigned resources to accomplish assignments and small projects. Contacts are primarily internal to the organizational unit, major subdivision and Line of Business (LOB)/Service Offices (SO) with some contact with customers and external organizations. Contacts are typically intended to share information, provide data and/or written analyses and discuss the statuses of assignments. May have regular contact with customers and/or external organizations. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow some discretion to select the most appropriate approach. Typically, receives guidance on selecting approach from a manager, project/program manager, team leader or more experienced technical specialist. May provide recommendations to improve work processes. Frequently refers difficult problems and other work issues to a manager, program/project manager, team leader or more experienced technical specialist when guidelines are not available or applicable. Work is reviewed periodically during assignments and at completion to ensure timeliness and technical compliance with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Performs other duties as assigned. I BAND DUTIES: Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the limited directions of a manager, project/program manager, team leader or more experienced technical specialist. May act as a contributing specialist on large work activities or as a team leader for single or small work activities. Provides specialized technical services to ensure compliance with NEPA and other federal environmental laws for airport development and planning projects. These services include, but are not limited to: tracking and providing guidance on the environmental analysis, agency consultation, public involvement and preparation of environmental documents in accordance with NEPA and FAA requirements. These include Categorical Exclusions (CATEX), Environmental Assessments (EA) and/or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Participates in the development of Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Records of Decisions (ROD). Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge to accomplish assignments and to develop plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Understands how his/her technical area interacts with or is affected by other disciplines and considers the objectives of the major subdivision and LOB/SOB when developing, integrating and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems. Provides specialized technical services related to Airport Noise Compatibility Studies prepared pursuant to 14 CFR Part 150 and Notice and Approval of Airport Noise and Access Restriction prepared pursuant to 14 CFR Part 161. Assists in the preparation of Federal Register Notice, Records of Approval, and other documents. Provides recommendations to improve work processes. Provides technical input and guidance to Planners, Engineers, and airport sponsors in the development of Airport Capital Improvement Plans and Master plans to ensure compliance with NEPA and other environmental laws. Provides technical input and guidance to Part 139 inspectors and other lines of business to minimize environmental impacts while promoting airport/aviation safety. This includes participation in the development and review of Wildlife Hazard Assessments and Management Plans. Contacts are internal and external. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Reviews and approves Scopes of Work, payment requests, grant applications and related project documents. Determines eligibility of work on projects involving environmental studies or assessments. Reviews and prepares correspondence including Congressional correspondence, briefing papers, approval letters and guidance to sponsors associated with all aspects of airport development. Participates in national teams to review current policy and guidance. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Work is reviewed periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Performs other duties as assigned.
This position serves as an Environmental Protection Specialist for the Office of Airports (ARP), Western Pacific Region in support of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).