Environmental Protection Specialist

Environmental Protection Specialist
- GS - 0028 -11 / 12 / 13 BP
Department: Department Of Transportation
Agency: Federal Transit Administration
Sub Agency: the U.S. Department of Transportation
Job Announcement Number: FTA.ARRA-2010-0004

SALARY RANGE:
59,987.00 - 118,481.00 USD /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 to Wednesday, March 31, 2010
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0028-11/13
POSITION INFORMATION:


Full TimeTerm- Not-to-Exceed 2 years

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
13
DUTY LOCATIONS:
many vacancy(s) in one of the following locations: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:


Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen.

All candidates will be considered under the Direct Hire
Authority granted by OPM in support of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). For more information on Direct
Hire Authorities, visit OPM at http://www.opm.gov/directhire/index.asp.


JOB SUMMARY:

This is a TERM position not-to-exceed two (2) years.
Selection under a TERM appointment does not confer competitive
status in the Federal government. Completion of a one-year
probationary period is required.



The enactment of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
has resulted in urgent critical hiring needs to meet mandated
mission requirements. The act provides $8.4 billion for investments
in transit to improve the quality of life for the American public.
These investments include funds for: purchasing buses and equipment
needed to increase public transportation and improve intermodal and
transit facilities; modernizing existing transit systems; and new
construction of projects, such as commuter light rail and bus rapid
transit.

Through efficient administration, management, and oversight of
this initiative, FTA will improve and promote effective public
transportation. FTA supports the development and implementation of
commuter rail, subway, light rail, ferry and bus systems to help
communities provide travel choices; improve access to jobs and
health care; drive economic growth; and protect the environment.

These positions are located in the Office of Planning and
Environment, which is in the headquarters of the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) in Washington, DC and in the following FTA
Regional Offices: Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA. These offices are responsible for administering the agency's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related Federal laws during it's execution of the Federal transit program. Provisions of the following NEPA-related laws or their implementing regulations pertain to the FTA program; the Clean Air Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act , the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 303 (protection of public lands), 49 U.S.C. Sections 5303-5305 (metropolitan and state-wide transportation planning), 49 U.S.C. Section 5324(b) (economic, social, and environmental interests), and other Federal environmental laws.

You will use your educational background and extensive
experience in environmental planning, transportation planning, urban
planning, architecture, environmental law, or the physical or
environmental sciences, to assist in: (1) guiding the environmental assessment of specific transit projects proposed by the
FTA financial assistance such as the construction of transit
bus facilities by a county or the construction of a new transit rail system by a regional transit authority; (2) developing and implementing agency-wide policies and procedures related to the assessment and mitigation of the environmental or community impacts of transportation improvements; and (3) assisting with other duties of the office related to it's environmental activities, such as developing and managing environmental research projects, developing planning courses and website material, responding to correspondence dealing with environmental issues, and budget development for the environmental office.

Salary is determined by the locality pay in each location.

Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at
http://www.opm.gov/oca/10tables/



The ideal candidate for this position will be an experienced environmental protection specialist who has excellent communication skills, analytical skills, and leadership skills. This position is also good for a person who wants to be challenged, desires a professional career with the Federal government, excellent benefits and a competitive salary.



Dedicated to delivering results that matter to the American
people, the FTA supports, improves, and promotes effective public
transportation, the Nation's fastest growing mode of travel. Through
the administration, management, and oversight of a $10
billion annual grant program, FTA supports the development and
construction of subway, light rail, and bus systems to help
communities provide travel choices; improve access to jobs and
health care; drive economic growth; and protect the environment.



KEY REQUIREMENTS:

* You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify.
* Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
* See How to Apply section for submission of required supplemental documents.
* This position is telework-eligible.
* Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position.
* Job announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.



Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA


At the full performance level, the Environmental Protection Specialist:


* Carries out duties related to implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


* Guides the FTA regional offices and grant applicants in
fulfilling their NEPA and NEPA-related responsibilities for proposed
transit projects and transportation plans by providing guidance and
advice on procedural and technical matters, by performing FTA reviews
of environmental documents, and by preparing correspondence on
project-related environmental issues directed to FTA headquarters
and/or the Regional offices.


* Develops, and/or assists in the development and implement of
agency-wide regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines related
to the analysis and mitigation of the environmental and community
impacts of proposed transit projects and transportation plans,
including assessment of impacts in the following areas: land use,
displacement of businesses and residences, noise and vibration, air
quality, wetlands and water quality, ecologically sensitive areas and
endangered species, historic and archeological resources, parklands,
contaminated soil or property, safety and security, secondary
development, and community disruption. Directs the agency's efforts concerning impact areas as the FTA lead person.


* Reviews and critiques congressional and departmental
legislative proposals and regulatory proposals related to
environmental issues, and prepare the written recommendations and
comments of the office. Meets and negotiates with staff of other
Federal agencies regarding these proposals, comments, and
recommendations. Prepares oral or written briefing material and
decision documents for use by senior officials. Assists FTA legal
staff in preparing briefs and consulting on litigation related to the
environment.


* Recognizes the need for, initiates, and prepares website
material, and training courses on environmental analysis methods and
procedures for transit project development and transportation
planning, for use by environmental and transportation planners
throughout the country.


* Performs other activities of the office related to its
environmental responsibilities, such as developing and managing
environmental research and oversight projects, and developing the
office's program plans and budgets. Serves as the contracting
officer's technical representative on assigned projects and as such,
prepares technical justifications and statements of work, serves as a
panel member for the review of proposals, and manage the contract
throughout its life. Identifies tasks related to environmental
responsibilities that are appropriately contracted out, and prepares
budget recommendations to seek financial resources for these
tasks.


* Actively represents FTA and the office in interagency
environmental activities and workgroups with other DOT
Administrations and with other Federal, State, and local agencies,
for the primary purpose of developing improved interagency
relationships and consultation procedures, improved environmental
review and analysis methods, and improved mitigation concepts,
thereby streamlining the environmental review process while
maintaining appropriate environmental protections.


Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Qualifications:

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





LEVEL To qualify on Education Alone, you must
have: To qualify on Experience, you must have:
GRADE 11 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. If you are SUBSTITUTING EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE, you must submit a copy of your college transcript. Experience applying and engaging the Federal environmental process, including, but not limited to, the National Environmental Policy Act process, the 106 National Historic Preservation Act process, and Endangered Species Act consultation.
You can also qualify based on a combination of Education and Experience
GRADE 12 Education alone will not qualify you for this position. In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level, your experience should include determining project needs from the standpoint of the Federal environmental process, and experience communicating those needs to management or similar groups.
GRADE 13 Education alone will not qualify you for this position. In addition to the requirements at the GS-12 level, your experience should include leading a team or a component of a team in developing appropriate environmental documentation and other written instruments, including rulemakings, policy makings, and guidance documents.


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



One Year Probationary Period:

Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be
required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period.


HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

For this announcement, all applicants will be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational and specialized experience requirements. Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official.



All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume, essay responses, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be reviewed from consideration.



Ultimately, the Automated Staffing Office is responsible for determining an applicant's eligibility. Please ensure that your resume and narrative responses provide enough detail to support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions.



Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:

Benefits include health and life insurance, annual and sick
leave, and retirement benefits. Explore the major benefits offered
to most Federal Employees here.



This position is telework eligible.


OTHER INFORMATION:

Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority
consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.


How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY:

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.


http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=86756135



If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET) at (202) 366-1298. You may also email us at Transjobs@fhwa.dot.gov.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

The following documents must be provided by the close date:


* RESUME - showing relevant experience and education


* COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE & NARRATIVE RESPONSES - Entering "See Resume" or other non-responsive answers to the request for narrative information may lead to your disqualification from consideration.


* TRANSCRIPTS - If you are SUBSTITUTING EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE, you must submit a copy of your college transcript.


* DD214 - verifying military service and eligibility for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act. Only required if requesting consideration as a preference eligible veteran


* SF-15 & LETTER FROM VETERANS ADMINISTRATION - required only if requesting consideration as a 10% or more compensably disabled veteran


* SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS- If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive appointment eligibility (e.g. disabled, disabled veterans), letter from VA, State Vocational Office, etc. Only required if requesting non-competitive consideration


* DISPLACED EMPLOYEE PLACEMENT DOCUMENTS - Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP/ICTAP. You must submit ALL of the FOLLOWING: your most recent performance appraisal, the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency and your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade. In addition, you MUST meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 85)


Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position.


AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Automated Staffing Office
Phone: 202-366-1298
Fax: 571-258-4052
Email: transjobs@fhwa.dot.gov Agency Information:
the U.S. Department of Transportation
Submit Application and Documents Online
1201 New Jersey Ave., SE., HAHR - 50
Washington, DC 20590
Fax: 571-258-4052