Denver, CO

Position Title: Environmental Protection Specialist

Organization: Department of the Interior

Location: Denver, CO

Position Overview: This position is in the Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary-Policy, Management, and Budget (PMB), Office of the Deputy Secretary for Policy and Environmental Management (PEM), Office of Environmental Policy (OEPC) Regional Environmental Office, duty stationed in Denver, CO. The incumbent serves as the Regional Environmental Protection Specialist (REPS) in direct support of the Regional Environmental Officer (REO) by assisting in the development and implementation of major objectives of various regional environmental coordination programs in the assigned geographic area of responsibility and supports the activities/efforts of the REO. The incumbent provides assistance to other Regional Offices as required. The primary purpose of this position (at the full performance level). Responsible for carrying out many of the Office’s environmental functions at the regional and state level, including representing the Department on Regional Response Teams and international Joint Response Teams, as appropriate; and coordinating departmental activities under regional, local, and international contingency plans consistent with the National Contingency Plan. In addition, the Regional Offices serve as a focal point for departmental coordination of cross bureau environmental issues and provide an independent source of information and analyses for the Office of the Secretary on environmental matters.

Duties:

At full performance level (GS-13):

• Serves as principal technical consultant on NEPA matters with responsibility for supporting and engaging in the implementation of environmental protection policies and programs.
• Applies an advanced level of professional competence and scientific and technical knowledge in reviewing environmental compliance and assessment documents.
• Coordinates the Department’s regional participation in emergency and remedial response actions conducted pursuant to CERCLA, Oil Pollution Act (OPA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and the National Contingency Plan (NCP), and other relevant statutes and regulations including providing advice and assistance to Federal, State, Indian tribes, foreign governments, and/or local officials regarding these activities.
• Evaluates natural disaster and emergency programs/projects within the region to determine the impact on the environment and recommended program/project changes to ensure that environmental objectives are achieved.
• Serves as technical advisor, authority, and expert in the area of Environmental Compliance, with responsibility for providing implementing policy guidance, consultative assistance, and staff coordination of Departmental responsibilities at the regional level pursuant to the National Response Framework for Emergency Support Function (ESF) for Oil and Hazardous Materials (ESF #10) and Natural, Cultural Resources, and Historic Properties (ESF #11).
• Prepares responses to inquiries from the public, the Department’s components, or other governmental organizations with respect to regional environmental matters. Reviews and provides input into regional plans, manuals, and guidance documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• You must have completed a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within two years of the closing date of this announcement. The two year eligibility will be extended for veterans who were precluded from applying within the two year eligibility period following graduation due to a military service obligation. In such cases, veterans will have up to six years from the date of discharge or release from active duty to apply.
•  You graduated by way of good academic standing (Grade Point Average/G.P.A. of at least a 2.0).
• To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must have: Successfully completed at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program. Demonstrated successful job performance. Met the Office of Personnel Management’s qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.
• To qualify for this position, applicants must meet A, B, or C defined below for the grade to which you are applying.

  GS-09
  A. Specialized Experience
  To qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  (1) Implementing and interpreting Federal environmental laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to review and evaluate complex and sensitive environmental issues, programs, and proposed projects; AND
  (2) Assists in general policy guidance pertaining to Federal environmental issues and assist in identifying problems in agency/organization environmental programs; AND
  (3) Using Microsoft 365 programs, and both written and verbal communication to assist in the conveyance of information to a wide variety of audiences.
  MUST MEET ALL.
  OR
  B. Education:
  Master’s or equivalent graduate degree.
  OR
  2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree
  OR
  LL.B. or J.D., if related.
  OR
  C. Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: A combination of education and specialized experience that totals 100% of the requirement for the GS-09 grade level.
  GS-11
  A. Specialized Experience
  To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  (1) Implementing and interpreting Federal environmental laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to review and evaluate complex and sensitive environmental issues, programs, and proposed projects; AND
  (2) Providing general policy guidance pertaining to Federal environmental issues and assist in identifying problems in agency/organization environmental programs; AND
  (3) Using Microsoft 365 programs, and both written and verbal communication to convey information to a wide variety of audiences; AND
  (4) Participates in program management projects, operations, and/or administration of environmental programs to ensure performance standards are being met. MUST MEET ALL.
  OR
  B. Education:
  Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
  OR
  3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
  OR
  LL.M.; if related
  C. Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: A combination of education and specialized experience that totals 100% of the requirement for the GS-11 grade level.

  Education

  To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Salary/Pay: $66,670 – $104,861 per year

Application Deadline: Febuary 2, 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.