Environmental Protection Specialist

Full Job Description

The Environmental Protection Specialist is responsible for leading and advising on a wide variety of analytical and research projects on environmental subjects in support of APHIS' programs.

The incumbent coordinates procedural and scientific aspects of the environmental work with others in Environmental and Risk Analysis Services (ERAS), staffs in APHIS, the Department and other Federal agencies.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience with analytical use of risk assessment software (e.g., AgDRIFT and T-REX for estimating pesticide spray drift and residues).

Experience with pesticide application, labeling, renewal, registrations and management with external agencies such as EPA and FDA.

Experience preparing complex analytical environmental compliance documentation with specific adherence to applicable statutes such as NEPA, ESA, and FIFRA, relating activities including animal damage management and animal disease activities.

Experience working with external agencies (such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) for Federally protected listed and endangered species.

Experience preparing detailed ecological and human health risk assessments for animal damage control. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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 and 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:

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Leads multi-disciplinary teams of technical specialists in planning and preparing environmental compliance documents to support Agency activities.
• Develops a wide variety of analytical, research, reporting, and writing assignments pertaining to the scientific components of APHIS’ environmental analyses and documentation.
• Prepares environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, animal drug approvals, and pesticide registrations and exemptions.
• Assists in the planning, evaluation, and review of environmental documents; tracks the status of environmental compliance documents and NEPA case law and court decisions.
• Provides input for the planning and development of environmental and analytical procedures at the program and project levels.
• Receives, reviews, organizes, and analyzes, and prepares responses to comments submitted to APHIS on environmental analysis and compliance activities.