Supervisory Biologist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Duties

You will:

• Serve as the Director of the Policy, Planning, and Review Division (PPRD) providing leadership and direction for implementing Agency-wide policy for conducting peer review for investigator-initiated research grants, fellowships, and programs;
• Serve as an expert consultant involving mandated environmental statutes;
• Develop strategies, define major program objectives, review and evaluate on-going program activities, and assess outputs;
• Supervise Division members, including making assignments and determining responsibilities, evaluating performance, recognizing and rewarding staff, and supporting the Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Program;
• Administer the PPRD's personnel and fiscal affairs, ensuring that administrative and financial management activities comply with the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act.

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.

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 a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.

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-15 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS-14 level defined as leading a team in the management of peer reviews in the environmental/engineering sciences; or providing leadership and direction to staff on assigned tasks and communicating with a variety of individuals on administrative procedures, regulations, and processes.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
1) Skill in planning and directing a peer review program;
2) Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and guidelines governing the peer review process;
3) Ability to restructure goals to meet changing requirements;
4) Skill in managing and providing leadership for a multi-disciplinary team;
5) Ability to plan, organize, and direct the activities of a work unit;
6) Skill in oral communication;
7) 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.