Environmental Protection Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is responsible for performing a wide variety of analytical, research, report writing, and editing tasks on environmental subjects in support of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

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

FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience writing scientific documentation, such as Environmental Reports, Environmental or Biological Assessments, and/or pesticide, chemical, or wildlife analysis.

Understanding of environmental policies, environmental laws, regulations, or statutes. Research, analyze, and/or select appropriate information to use in communication documents.

OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement.

OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education.

You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.

This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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 described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Preparation of quality environmental and analytical documents to support informed decision-making and Agency-compliance with environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.
• Serves as an environmental advisor to Agency programs on specialized subject areas, policies, or resources and as an information resource for the Agency, USDA, general public, and other agencies.
• Provides specialized expertise on specific analytical methods (e.g., Geographic Information Systems) and/or Agency compliance with environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.
• Ensures that environmental analyses are performed appropriately and contribute substantially to assigned team projects.