The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking a Biologist/Ecologist to work within their Office of Water (OW).
At the entry level of this position, you will:
- Provide analytical support to management in analyzing and reporting on project environmental outcome measurement, drafting, soliciting comment (internal and external), and finalizing Agency policies. Support and/or lead reviews of projects, guidance, permits, and interagency agreements related to ecological assessments of coastal and ocean waters.
- Reviews, develops, and implements environmental technical standards, tools, guidance, policies, and regulations; support and lead work to provide for environmental protection designed to advance the objectives of the Clean Water Act or the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act/Ocean Dumping Act.
- Provide oral and written briefings to management on specific technical and policy issues in areas of responsibility. Help prepare responses to inquiries from Congress and respond to the general public concerning areas of responsibility.
- Work collaboratively with Regions and state/tribal environmental agency staff and officials to establish, coordinate, support, or work with cross agency groups in solving different environmental issues related to the Clean Water Act or the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act/Ocean Dumping Act.
- Train to become a Contract Officer’s representative for contracts and/or Project Officer for assistance agreements and Interagency Agreements in accordance with Federal and agency policies and practices.
When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.
One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations).
REQUIREMENTS
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
- Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
- EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.
If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
Qualifications
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as experience implementing ocean and coastal policy or regulation related to the Clean Water Act or Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act/Ocean Dumping Act; experience analyzing scientific information to perform data analysis, prepare reports, and present on report findings. Experience planning and carrying out ocean and coastal studies and analyses to identify and evaluate solutions to environmental water problems.
Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
- Ability to support and/or lead reviews of ocean- and coastal related analyses.
- Skill in program management and project coordination.
- Knowledge of statutes, regulations, and environmental policies.
- Ability to develop and/or revise Agency/regional guidance and policies supporting implementation of water programs.
- Knowledge of regulations and policies related to the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act/Ocean Dumping Act and the Clean Water Act.
- Skill in written communication.
- Skill in oral communication.
- Knowledge of developing training and outreach materials and working with outside groups.
- Ability to participate constructively on teams.
- Ability to support and/or lead workgroups and teams.
- Skill in contracting principles.
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.
If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Education
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.
A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university.
Biological Sciences Series, 0401
- Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
or
- Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Ecology Series, 0408
Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Salary: $61,947 - $80,532 per year
Location: Washington, DC – Telework eligible
Work Schedule: Full-time
Application Deadline: February 7, 2022
