Summary

This position is established to assist the Office Director and senior environmental staff in the planning, coordinating, and

implementation of environmental activities of the Maritime Administration. Although the position is broad in scope, the employee's duties are focused primarily on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and general environmental compliance for the Agency.

Duties

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The Environmental Protection Specialist:

• Conducts National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews of proposed Agency actions in accordance with Agency, Department, and CEQ guidelines, regulations, administrative orders and prepare appropriate documentation. Provides technical assistance to the Director and senior staff in the Office of Environmental Compliance in support of carrying out the Agency's duties under NEPA.
• Participates in a broad range of environmental evaluations and the subsequent development of findings and recommendations to the Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation, federal, state, and local governments, other organizations, and the private sector on environmental issues.
• Provides technical guidance on the protection of the environment by the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution generated from vessels, port facilities, shipyards, and fleet facilities, including Federal facilities such as the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Provides guidance for Agency compliance with local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations.
• Assists with the development of Requests for Proposals, Invitations for Bids, and other documentation that supports Agency goals. Evaluates proposals, bids, compliance plans, and other documents submitted to the Agency relating to ship disposal and other Agency activities. Monitors vessel disposal processes, consisting of facility and vessel site visits and documents review, to ensure compliance with contract requirements regarding environmental and safety laws and regulations as well as to ensure accordance with any interagency agreements.
• Serves as Contracting Officers Representative (COR) in order to manage environmental support contracts related to Agency environmental activities.

The ideal candidate should have experience in managing a wide variety of environmental compliance programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

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: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures 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 in the processes and procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 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 in managing National Environmental Policy Act and Deepwater Port Act projects; AND
• Experience in preparing and reviewing Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.

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:

• Technical Competence, Environmental Planning, Decision Making, Compliance - Mastery knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality regulations, environmental laws, executive orders, and agency-specific policies governing environmental review and compliance.
• Planning and Evaluating, Strategic Thinking, Program Management - Ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate environmental programs involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant public interest.
• Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Research - Skill in analyzing complex environmental issues involving biological, cultural, socioeconomic, and physical resource impacts.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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 § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 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.