Supervisory Biologist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Duties

You will:

• Direct the activities of the Branch;
• Exercise supervisory personnel management responsibilities;
• Represent, plan and implement team-based research;
• Serve as an expert consultant on various workgroups, panels and/or committees.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently as your career progresses.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Qualifications

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Biologist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Environmental Engineer:

• All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:
  • Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR
  • Have a combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
    1. Professional registration as an engineer.
    2. Evidence of Passing the Engineer-in-Training Written Test.
    3. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.
    4. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in one of the following: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR you must have a combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here.

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-14 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as providing leadership, oversight or technical expertise for a scientific research project of limited scope in biological, ecological and/or ecotoxicological science; coaching, mentoring or leading others.

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 providing leadership, oversight or technical expertise for a scientific research program in biological, ecological and/or ecotoxicological science; coaching, mentoring or leading others; establishing and monitoring performance measures to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and progress of a team.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Skill in program management; 2) Ability to lead/manage staff to meet program outcomes; 3) Skill in data analysis and interpretation; 4) Skill in oral communication; 5) Skill in written communication.

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.