Environmental Protection Specialist – Direct Hire

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience assisting customers in fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed transit projects and transportation plans by providing guidance on procedural and technical matters, including specific practice or impact areas, such as NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, or Environmental Justice Executive Orders. Experience assisting in developing and implementing agency-wide regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and training related to the analysis and mitigation of the environmental and community impacts of proposed transit projects and transportation plans, including assessment of impacts in environmental areas. Experience reviewing congressional and departmental legislative proposals and regulatory proposals related to environmental issues, and prepares draft written recommendations and comments of the office. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience guiding customers in fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed transit projects and transportation plans by providing guidance and advice on procedural and technical matters, and by performing reviews of impact assessments and analyses. Leads the agency’s efforts in one or more practice or impact areas, such as NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, or Environmental Justice Executive Orders. Experience leading role in developing and implementing agency-wide regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and training related to the analysis and mitigation of the environmental and community impacts of proposed transit projects and transportation plans, including assessment of impacts in environmental areas. Experience reviewing congressional and departmental legislative proposals and regulatory proposals related to environmental issues, and prepares the written recommendations and comments of the office. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 to GS-14 levels; you must have experience. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience guiding customers in fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed transit projects and transportation plans by providing guidance and advice on procedural and technical matters, and by performing reviews of impact assessments and analyses. Experience leading the agency’s efforts in a few practice or impact areas, such as NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, or Environmental Justice Executive Orders. Experience recognizing need for and providing leadership in developing and implementing agency-wide regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and training related to the analysis and mitigation of the environmental and community impacts of proposed transit projects and transportation plans, including assessment of impacts in environmental areas. Experience reviewing and critiquing congressional and departmental legislative proposals and regulatory proposals related to environmental issues, and prepares the written recommendations and comments of the office. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience providing advice to customers in fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed transit projects and transportation plans by providing guidance on procedural and technical matters under the Federal environmental review process. Experience leading efforts in multiple practice or impact areas, such as NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, or Environmental Justice Executive Orders. Experience exercising initiative and a lead position in developing and implementing agency-wide regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and training related to the analysis and mitigation of the environmental and community impacts of proposed transit projects and transportation plans, including assessment of environmental areas. Experience reviewing and critiquing congressional and departmental legislative proposals and regulatory proposals related to environmental issues, and prepares the written recommendations and comments of the office. 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: Technical Competence – Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise. Compliance – Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. 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. Written Communication – Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. 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 For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ 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 positions are in the FTA Office of Environmental Policy and Programs (TPE-30) and will serve as subject matter experts within one of three Divisions. As an environmental professional, you will develop and deliver environmental regulations, policies, and programs to integrate environmental decision-making in transit planning and projects, while minimizing the environmental impacts, and you will provide technical assistance and training to internal and external audiences.