Seasonal Environmental Protection Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in Blue Ridge Parkway, in the Division of Planning, Lands, and Compliance.

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Blue Ridge Parkway is April - November, but the season may be extended or reduced due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding Anticipated Entry on Duty: Mid-April.

Open to the first 100 applicants or until 02/13/2026 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-02/13/2026-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 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, but is not limited to activities such as: analysis of environmental, natural and/or cultural conditions; assisting in developing specified portions of categorical exclusions or environmental assessments in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); applying laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to protecting natural and cultural resources; assisting in drafting, editing revising, and issuing environmental compliance documents; communicating resource information to groups or individuals in a clear, concise, and professional manner; establishing and maintaining effective working relations with project managers and interdisciplinary team to meet environmental program goals and objectives.

You must include hours per week worked.

-OR- EDUCATION: Possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B.

or J.D., if related to the position. NOTE: education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. You must include transcripts.

-OR- Successful completion of a combination of specialized experience and education as described above that meets 100% of the requirements for this position.

For example, have six months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement), and 27 semester hours or 41 quarter hours of directly related graduate level education in an accredited educational institution (50% of the qualifying education).

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.

ICTAP/CTAP: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection.

Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP.

This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible.

If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.

Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001). Major Duties:

The Environmental Protection Specialist supports environmental compliance and resource protection activities for the Blue Ridge Parkway by reviewing, coordinating, and overseeing environmental documentation and compliance requirements for proposed projects and activities.

The incumbent serves as a key participant on interdisciplinary teams (IDTs), providing technical guidance on environmental laws, regulations, and National Park Service policies to assist with project scoping, development, and implementation.

Duties include assisting with project intake and early-stage planning, identifying applicable compliance pathways and environmental considerations; reviewing environmental analyses and supporting documentation prepared by others for adequacy, consistency, and policy compliance; and coordinating with subject-matter specialists to ensure environmental requirements are appropriately addressed.

The position also supports environmental data and records management, tracks compliance status across multiple projects, and assists park staff and partners by interpreting environmental protection requirements and recommending best management practices to avoid, minimize, or mitigate environmental impacts consistent with Parkway resource protection goals.

Work Setting: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic corridor managed for the protection of its nationally significant landscapes, natural resources, historic resources, and cultural traditions of the southern Appalachian region.

Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina-a vibrant mountain community known for its arts, outdoor recreation, and strong sense of place-the Parkway offers a unique work setting that blends exceptional biodiversity, scenic vistas, and rich human history.

Natural resources along the Parkway include diverse forest communities, high-elevation ecosystems, streams, and wildlife habitat, complemented by cultural resources such as archeological sites representing Indigenous presence, early European settlement, agriculture, transportation, and traditional lifeways, as well as historic buildings, landscapes, and features reflecting centuries of human interaction with the Blue Ridge Mountains.