Environmental Protection Specialist - Department of Transportation, multiple locations

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.TPE-2011-0002

SALARY RANGE:
$62,467.00 - $125,926.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Tuesday, January 04, 2011 to Monday, January 17, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0028-11/13
POSITION INFORMATION:


Full Time Term (Not to Exceed 2 Years)
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
13
DUTY LOCATIONS:
few vacancy(s) in one of the following locations:
Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Salt Lake City, UT

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:


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

JOB SUMMARY:

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.

This is a TERM Position (Not To Exceed 2 years)

This position is located in the Office of Planning and Environment, which is in the Headquarters of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The office is responsible for administering the agency's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related Federal laws during its 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. § 303 (protection of public lands), 49 U.S.C. §§ 5303-5305 (metropolitan and statewide transportation planning), 49 U.S.C. § 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 provide leadership in: (1) guiding the environmental assessment of specific transit projects proposed for FTA financial assistance such as the construction of transit bus facilities by a county or the construction of a new rail transit 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) initiating and performing other duties of the office related to its 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.

The salaries for the duty locations are as follows:
Chicago, IL:
# GS-11 ($62909.00 - 81779.00)
# GS-12 ($75403.00 - 98022.00)
# GS-13 ($89664.00 - 116562.00)

Philadelphia, PA:
# GS-11 ($61245.00 - 79615.00)
# GS-12 ($73408.00 - 95429.00)
# GS-13 ($98292.00 - 113478.00)

San Francisco, CA:
# GS-11 ($67963.00 - 88349.00)
# GS-12 ($81460.00 - 105897.00)
# GS-13 ($96867.00 - 125926.00)

Washington, D.C.
# GS-11 ($62467.00 - 81204.00)
# GS-12 ($74872.00 - 97333.00)
# GS-13 ($89033.00 - 115742.00)

Salt Lake City, UT:
# GS-11 ($57408.00 - 74628.00)
# GS-12 ($68809.00 - 89450.00)
# GS-13 ($81823.00 - 106369.00)

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 is a mid-to senior level 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 wit the Federal government, excellent benefits and a competitive salary.




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.
* Provide ALL required documents by closing date (see How to Apply Tab)
* Position is telework eligible.
* Job announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 30 days.




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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Salt Lake City, UT


The Environmental Protection Specialist:


* 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 responding to requests for assistance in dealing with complex issues, and by preparing in cooperation with regional staff, as appropriate, return correspondence on project-related environmental issues directed to FTA headquarters.


* Provides leadership in developing and implementing agency-wide regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines related to the analysis and mitigation of the environmental 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 in a few of these impact areas as the FTA lead person.


* Reviews and critiques congressional and departmental legislative proposals and regulatory proposals related to environmental issues, and prepares 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.


* Coordinates the preparation of guidance documents and memoranda, 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. Directs the office's efforts in developing guidance and training for the impact areas in which the person has been assigned lead responsibility.


* Performs other assigned 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 (COTR) on assigned projects and, as such, prepares technical justifications and statements of work, serves as a panel member for the review of proposals, and manages 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, and thereby streamlining the environmental review process while maintaining appropriate environmental protections.



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Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must
meet either the education or specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.








LEVEL To qualify on Education, you must have
at least: To qualify on Experience, your experience should include experience equal or equivalent to the following:
GRADE 11
To qualify based on education, the education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For this position, you must have completed 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree at an accredited college or university in a field related to the position being advertised.
# Experience in the application of Federal environmental processes, including the National Environmental Policy Act process, Section 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
There is no education substitute.


In addition to the GS-11:
# Experience analyzing Federal environmental processes and programs needs and presenting them in writing.


GRADE 13
There is no education substitute.

In addition to the GS-11 and GS-12:
# Experience as a program or project leader with responsibility for developing environmental documentation and other written instruments, including rulemakings, policy makings, and guidance.


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



GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD REQUIREMENT:
You must be able to obtain and retain a Government contractor-issued travel card to be used for official business as a condition of employment.

If unable to obtain and/or retain a card, you may be subject to
removal. Those who fail to meet this condition of employment will
have our offer of employment rescinded.

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

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

BASIS FOR RATING:

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. Your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions, your self-determined rating, resume and supporting documentation are reviewed. If your resume and supporting documents do not support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions, your final rating may be modified.



Applicants meeting minimum qualification standards will be placed in one of three groups (bronze, silver or gold) based on their
substantiated level of education, experience, and ability, as it relates to the job requirements.


To be placed in the Gold category, you must be highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills
and abilities of the job based on a complete review of your application.


To be placed in the Silver category, you must be competent in the position with an overall accomplished level of knowledge, skills and abilities of the job.

To be placed in the Bronze category, you must have an overall basic level of knowledge, skills and abilities of the job.



The Category Rating Method does not add Veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Documented Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS9 grade level or higher.



The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. Please ensure that your resume and
application provide enough detail to support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions.
To preview questions please click here.

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: http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=95198401

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.



* To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job
announcement posting.


* Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents
and complete the assessment questionnaire.


* You may review your saved application(s) at
https://my.usajobs.gov.


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.


* TRANSCRIPTS: If you are using experience and graduate level education you must submit a copy of your college transcript.


* VETERANS: In order to be considered as preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. If you are claiming compensably disabled preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. Additional information on veterans' preference is available in the Vet's Guide at: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx


* 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@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


WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You may check your application status by logging into
USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). Within
two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will
evaluate your application. Ratings will be determined based on the
documents and information received by the closing date. Qualified
candidates will be assigned a score between 70 and 100, not
including points that may be assigned for veterans' preference. The
most highly qualified candidates are then referred to the hiring
manager for further consideration. If you are selected for an
interview, they will contact you directly. Once the position is
filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.