Environmental Protection Specialist (Seasonal)

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of the position is to serve as the park's Environmental Protection Specialist.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for National Capital Parks-East is April-September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Anticipated Entry on Duty: Beginning of April Open to the first 100 applicants or until 02/23/2026 whichever comes first.

All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/23/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).

If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

This experience includes activities such as: developing or implementing management documents to ensure compliance with federal, state, tribal, and county orders, ordinances, statutes, laws and regulations, directives and policies; applying and managing a variety of Federal regulations, policies, guidelines, and procedures related to environmental compliance; consulting with various Federal and regulatory agencies and non-government entities regarding environmental issues.

You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION: Successfully completed Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such an environmental studies degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as environmental science, public policy, natural resources, planning.

You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

This experience includes activities such as: developing or implementing management documents to ensure compliance with federal, state, tribal, and county orders, ordinances, statutes, laws and regulations, directives and policies involving National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and underlying laws including Endangered Species Act (ESA) 7, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) 106 and 110, Wilderness Act, Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA); applying and managing a variety of Federal regulations, policies, guidelines, and procedures related to environmental compliance; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with project managers and interdisciplinary team members in minimizing environmental impacts; coordinating or consulting with various Federal resource and regulatory agencies and non-government entities regarding environmental issues.

You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION: Successfully completed PHD or equivalent graduate degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such an environmental studies degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as environmental science, public policy, natural resources, planning.

You must include transcripts. -OR- Combination: Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week.

Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

Experience listed as full-time will be credited at 40 hours per week.

Volunteer Experience: 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. Major Duties:

The major duties of the Environmental Protection Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following: Participates in all aspects of compliance processes and environmental documentation for the Park; provides environmental protection program administration and oversight for projects to achieve and maintain environmental compliance on ongoing operations and/or remediate past environmental violations or compliance problems.

Interprets laws, regulations and policies about environmental protection issues.

Tracks and oversees inspections, audits, documentation, reporting, and actions to ensure the Park complies with all federal, state, and local environmental requirements.

Park's subject matter expert on matters pertaining to environmental protection programs that deal with air and water quality, hazardous waste and materials management, underground and above ground storage tanks containing regulated and non-regulated substances (petroleum products, chemicals, and wastes), oil and hazardous substance spill planning, and non-hazardous waste management, minimization and recycling.

Monitors activities for compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies, as well as seeking to prevent NPS from incurring liability as a responsible party.