Environmental Protection Specialist - several locations

Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-13/14 (Open to all U.S. Citizens) SD
Department: Department Of Transportation
Agency: Federal Highway Administration
Sub Agency: the U.S. Department of Transportation
Job Announcement Number: FHWA.RC-2011-0023

SALARY RANGE:
$85,500.00 - $137,740.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Thursday, January 06, 2011 to Monday, January 24, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0028-13/14
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
14
DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy(s) in one of the following locations: Baltimore, MD; Throughout Illinois, IL; Atlanta, GA
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen.

Please note: This position has also been advertised under merit promotion (FHWA.RC-2011-0020). All current and former employees eligible for status consideration are encouraged to consider applying to the other announcement.

JOB SUMMARY:
Real solutions to meet genuine challenges. Innovative ideas to take on growing realities. That's the Federal Highway Administration - Leaders in Paving the Way on the Road to Success.



This vacancy announcement is for 1 position that could be filled in Baltimore, MD; Atlanta, GA; or, Matteson, IL.


Salaries:
# Baltimore, MD:
GS-13: 89,033-115,742
GS-14: 105,211-136,771


# Atlanta, GA:
GS-13: 85,500-111,148
GS-14: 101,035-131,343


# Matteson, IL:
GS-13: 89,664-116,562
GS-14: 105,596-137,740


This position is located in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Resource Center Environmental Technical Service Team. The employee serves as a Resource Center technical authority on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and transportation decision-making process, and related federal environmental and transportation laws and regulations and requirements. The employee serves in a national capacity and is involved in the formulation of policy with FHWA HQs, problem solving; and developing, promoting, and demonstrating relative state-of-the-art technology for use in the project development and decision-making process. This position requires specialized knowledge of the principles and methods of administering environmental protection programs and implementing applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, FHWA guidance and policy.



The ideal candidate for this position is a senior level Environmental Protection Specialist looking for a new challenge. This is an excellent opportunity to join the Federal Highway Administration and work with the Resource Center's Environmental Technical Services Team to advance the strategic goals and objectives of the Federal Highway Administration and meet the challenges of advancing the best transportation system in the world. We offer an excellent benefits package and alternative work schedules.




KEY REQUIREMENTS:

* You must be eligible for status consideration & meet specialized experience
* 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)
* This position requires considerable travel (approximately 25% to 50%).
* Announcement also advertised open to Status Candidates: FHWA.RC-2011-0020




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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

Baltimore, MD; Throughout Illinois, IL; Atlanta, GA



The Environmental Protection Specialist:



* Plans and leads implementation efforts for new environmental initiatives and promotes related technological advances and technology transfer.


* Provides assistance to FHWA Headquarters in aspects of environmental technology development, packaging and deployment.


* Leads or participates in teams charged with exploration of issues, problem resolution, implementation efforts.


* Develops procedures and standards, which facilitates accomplishment of the program and technical assistance role of the Resource Center.


* Provides expert technical advice, assistance and training on environmental project and program matters to FHWA Division Office and Resource Center personnel and officials of state, local and regional agencies over a multi-state geographical area.


* Provides expert interpretations of highly complex data, legislation, regulations, procedures, requirements, and technological advancements and approaches.


* Identifies the need for and conducts training courses and tailored workshops for internal and external customers.


* Works in concert with the FHWA Headquarters, state and local agencies, industry, professional associations, and educational institutions in the development and delivery of training.


* Troubleshoots implementation problems with both internal and external officials.


* Identifies and pursues new partnerships, marketing approaches, and customer participation.


* Provides coordination and liaison to officials within a broad range of governmental agencies at the local, state, and regional level; officials of non-profit organizations, professional associations, public interest groups; representatives of educational institutions, private industry, etc; and the general public.




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Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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







LEVEL To qualify, you must have one year of experience equal or equivalent to the following:
GRADE 13
Experience providing training, technical assistance and technology deployment in the area of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), project development and related environmental requirements including both the natural, social and cultural environments for the transportation community.
GRADE 14
# Experience evaluating transportation and/or environmental planning, program, projects or systems.

# Experience as a program leader, with responsibility such as, providing technical advice on activities related to transportation planning, travel demand, land use, the natural environment and air quality programs concerned with or related to the NEPA and project decision-making process.

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.


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


A writing sample may be requested from qualified candidates.


This position requires considerable travel (approximately 25% to 50%).


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% will be listed in the highest quality category.


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.


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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.



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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.


* 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@dot.gov.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
The following documents must be provided by the close date:


* RESUME - showing relevant experience and education


* COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE


* VETERANS: In order to be considered as a 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 preference eligible as a disabled veteran, 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.


* 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 may 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
Department of Transportation
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 to a rating category prior to applying veteran's preference. The most highly qualified candidates are then referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.