Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-15

Duties

Environmental Protection Specialist (Associate Director for the Air Division Immediate Office).

You will perform the following duties:

• Develop and implement new strategies, and innovative and creative methods and respond to major air pollution problems in Region 9 where current air pollution problems are often not well addressed by existing national legislation, current regulations, policies or technologies.
• Formulate and submit estimates for financial, human resource, information and other resources needed to carry out the projects of the division.
• Represent Region 9 air program to state senior management.
• Provide authoritative advice, guidance and support and oversight of air program activities undertaken by state, territorial, local and/or tribal government; advises on matters related to the development, execution and monitoring of state, territorial, local and/or tribal environmental programs, and the development and application of appropriate grant proposals.
• Acts as an agent/representative of the Division Director, without line supervision, has the responsibility and management authority to direct the Division management team and staff across sub units to implement policy and programs in assigned areas.
• Primary decision maker for areas of geographic responsibility (e.g. San Joaquin Valley, Arizona, South Coast, Pacific Islands, US/Mexico Border) with authority for planning, permits, rule making, litigation and technical support.

Qualifications

You do not need a degree to qualify for this position.

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-15 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-14 level defined as: 1) Experience negotiating agreements on matters involving differing perspectives or positions and in order to persuade others to accept findings, recommendations, changes, and/or alternative viewpoints. 2) Experience explaining, defending and coordinating complex Clean Air Act programs, policies and activities with Federal, State, local and tribal officials and private industry spokespeople.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

• Skill in creating and applying new hypotheses and Agency directions in program planning, policy making and decision making.
• Mastery of knowledge of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its associated programs to offer expert advice.
• Knowledge of program analysis, principles and methods in interpersonal relationships to provide consultative services on Air issues.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Ability to plan, evaluate and implement programs to solve environmental and management problems.
• Mastery knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to develop new approaches and theories to investigate critical problems of national impact.

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.