Environmental Protection Specialist- DIRECT HIRE

Summary

The positions are in the FTA Office of Environmental Policy and Programs, Project Review and Advancement Division (TPE-31) and Environmental Technical Analysis Division (TPE-32). As an environmental professional, you will provide policy direction, guidance, and training to FTA Regional Offices and external audiences on implementing NEPA and related legislation and environmental requirements, as well as support for the efficient management of the environmental review process.

Duties

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As an Environmental Protection Specialist:

The specific duties of the position that will be filled with this announcement differ depending on the Division:

• Office of Environmental Policy and Programs, Project Review and Advancement Division (TPE-31): Provides policy direction, guidance, and training to FTA Regional Offices and project sponsors on the implementation of NEPA and related legislation and environmental requirements, and on the efficient management of the environmental review process.
• Office of Environmental Policy and Programs, Environmental Technical Analysis Division (TPE-32): Provides policy direction, guidance, and training to FTA Regional Offices and project sponsors on the technical analysis for specific environmental resource areas, including historic preservation and cultural resources; water quality, wetlands and other Clean Water Act issues; transportation conformity and other Clean Air Act issues; threatened and endangered species and habitat, fish and wildlife; noise and vibration; hazardous waste and brownfields; coastal zones and coastal barrier protection; and real property acquisition.

In TPE-31 and TPE-32, duties will include interpretation of legislation and statutory language and may include development of innovative tools to expedite reviews under environmental requirements.

The ideal candidate for this position is a career professional experienced in applying NEPA and related laws and regulations to surface transportation projects. Experience in NEPA, Section 106, and the Endangered Species Act is strongly desired. Experience working with environmental statutes, regulations, and policies is desirable as well. Candidates should have the skills and experience to work collaboratively and productively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, manage projects, and handle multiple competing priorities, issues, and projects simultaneously.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

• Experience guiding external stakeholders in fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed surface transportation projects by providing guidance and advice on procedural or technical matters, and by performing reviews of impact assessments or analyses for major capital projects.
• Experience providing leadership in implementing agency-wide (or equivalent) regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, or training related to the analysis or mitigation of the environmental impacts of proposed surface transportation projects, including assessment of impacts in various environmental areas.
• Experience leading reviews to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements under multiple environmental impact areas, such as NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act or the Endangered Species Act.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Experience serving as a senior technical authority or program advisor to guide external stakeholders in fulfilling the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NEPA-related obligations for surface transportation projects under the Federal environmental review process.
• Experience leading the development and implementation of agency-wide (or equivalent) regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, or training related to the analysis or mitigation of the environmental impacts for proposed surface transportation projects, including assessment of various environmental areas.
• Experience reviewing and critiquing regulatory proposals related to environmental issues and preparing written recommendations or comments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Technical Credibility- Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
2. Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
5. Problem Solving - Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.

For all types of consideration, 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code a7 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R a7 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [redacted]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.