Summary This position is in Region 10, Superfund and Emergency Management Division, Emergency Management, Site Assessment and Removal Branch. About Region 10: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-10-pacific-northwest This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected). *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section. Responsibilities You will: Respond on an emergency basis to the accidental or deliberate release of oil or hazardous materials including biological, chemical and radiological agents or uncontrolled hazardous waste. Serve as a warranted Contracting Officer with independent contracting authority in accordance with the Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) from the EPA Office of Acquisition Management. Conduct official investigations and inspections for both fund-led and enforcement-led removal responses, and perform planning, prevention, and preparedness activities related to health and environmental hazards. Provide assessments for environmental incidents, determine appropriate emergency responses, perform necessary community relations and coordination activities, and serve as technical advisor for removal responses. 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. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter. You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials. Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section. Pre-employment physical may be required and periodic physicals thereafter. You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings. You must be a U.S. citizen. #LI-Onsite If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter. If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service. Participation in the medical monitoring program is required. This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date. You will be required to meet ongoing specialized safety training requirements in order to meet field safety standards. You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement. In addition to the basic entry education requirements, you must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as experience conducting emergency response actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) at hazardous waste sites and/or at emergency incidents involving oil or chemical spills. To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as experience conducting emergency response actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) at hazardous waste sites and/or at emergency incidents involving oil or chemical spills; and negotiating with stakeholders to analyze and solve environmental issues. Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Skill in responding to and evaluating hazardous waste site cleanup techniques and technologies. Knowledge of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Superfund Reauthorization Act (SARA) and other federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Ability to serve as a warranted Contracting Officer. Serve as a contracting officer representative. Skill in written communication. Ability to perform activities related to health and environmental hazards. Ability to provide assessments for environmental incidents. 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. *If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Education In addition to the eligibility requirements for the College Graduate hiring authority, you must meet the following basic requirements in order to qualify for this position: GS-0401 Life Scientist You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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. GS-0819 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: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university 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, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications GS-1301 Physical Scientist You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Additional Information This position is in the bargaining unit. Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section). Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities. If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility. Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.