BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST (ENVIRONMENTAL)

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is: Under the direct guidance of a higher-grade Environmental Professional, to serve in a developmental capacity in Engineering/Community Planning/Environmental science discipline, performing management, execution, and operations for an assigned program element(s).

The full performance level (target grade) for this position is GS-12.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Conditions of Employment continued: This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled as any of the following: Community Planner (Environmental), GS-0020; Biological Scientist (Environmental), GS-0401; General Engineer (Environmental) GS-0801; Environmental Engineer, GS-0819; or Physical Scientist (Environmental), GS-1301.

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, Community Planning Series (Environmental), GS-0020; General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences (Environmental), GS-0401; General Engineering (Environmental) GS-0801; Environmental Engineering, GS-0819; General Physical Science Series (Environmental), GS-1301, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: (Click the hyperlinks below to see the basic requirements for each eligible series) Community Planning Series, 0021 General Natural Resources Management and Biological Science Series, 0401 General Engineering, GS-0801 and Environmental Engineering, GS-0819 General Physical Science Series, GS-1301 In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-11, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-9, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of 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.

GS-12, SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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 knowledge of 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, and/or integration principles and practices; knowledge of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs.

Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and monitor environmental facilities or projects so as to assure compliance with applicable objectives, standards, and 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-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. 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): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform project development, execution, training, and advisory services in assigned projects. 2.

Knowledge to troubleshoot environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). 3.

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.

4.

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.

5. 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. Major Duties:

Monitors and manages assigned environmental projects through application of professional knowledge and skill in general engineering, community planning (environmental), biological science (environmental), environmental engineering, physical science (environmental) practices, processes and techniques.

Responsible for executing assigned projects, in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and policies.

Coordinates curricula and training for assigned program areas at the installation. Supports quality improvement and promotes the environmental awareness program.

Provides advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas.

Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.