BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST (ENVIRONMENTAL)

Duties

• Provides extensive environmental expertise to manage assigned environmental projects or programs through application of professional knowledge and skill in Biological Scientist practices, processes and techniques.
• Responsible for executing assigned projects or program element(s), in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable Federal, state, and local environmental laws and policies.
• Provides advisory services on specific problems, projects, programs, and functions in assigned program area.
• Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position. Category: Facilities Engineering (FE)GS-13 and below: Level II; GS-14/15 Level III. This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the (CONT)
• Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The employee must meet, or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA)certification requirements applicable to the (CONT)
• career category designated on the position description within 24 months of assignment. This position also requires the employee to engage in acquisition continuous learning activities achieving 80 Continuous Leaming points every 24 months.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate driver's license maybe required for the position.
• May be required to serve as a member of the Emergency Response Force during exercises or in the event of an actual emergency.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• May be required to obtain job-related certifications.
• This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. (CONT)
• Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.
• This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and through full resumption of all functions IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical/medical examination.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Community Planning Series 0020:
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401:

General Engineering Series 0801:
Environmental Engineering Series 0819:
General Physical Science Series 1301:

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-9: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-7, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience of environmental concepts and principles as well as the ability to apply standard environmental professional practices, methods, and techniques to perform relatively difficult but well precedented assignments. Experience of applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects. Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain information, prepare reports, and perform moderately difficult assignments. Experience of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to make selections and adaptations of environmental applications and alternatives and, after review by the supervisor or higher-grade engineer, carry out the assignment. (NOTE: Your resume must support the response you select.)

OR
EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-9, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience of a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects; and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions. Experience with applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention projects. Experience of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and monitor environmental facilities or projects so as to assure compliance with applicable objectives, standards, and requirements. (NOTE: Your resume must support the response you select.)

OR
EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or related disciplines which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

GS-12: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience with a wide range of environmental duties; and the skill to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of problems; adapt precedents or make significant departures from previous approaches to similar projects to provide for the specialized requirements of projects; and apply standard practices of related disciplines as they relate to environmental functions. Experience with Federal, State, and local environmental laws, regulations, or integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices. Experience of environmental disciplines to be aware of ramifications of their findings and actions inherent in assigned environmental projects, studies, and programs. Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and monitor environmental facilities or projects so as to assure compliance with applicable objectives, standards, and requirements. Ability to research, gather information, and prepare the planning, programming, and budgeting system (PPBS) documentation in support of assigned programs. Ability to serve as an environmental technical advisor in executing assigned projects to the Environmental Protection Committee and serves as a support member on other applicable boards and committees. Ability to prepare contract specifications, statements of work, government cost estimates and contract supporting documentation in support of acquisition of equipment and services for assigned programs.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in -grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-7 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-9 level. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

See EDUCATION Section for KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Education

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

GS-09/11:
1. Knowledge of basic principles of the classified titled or related field.

2. Skill in communicating factual and procedural information clearly, orally and in writing.

3. Ability to learn basic techniques of the classified title.

4. Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.

5. Ability to plan and organize work and consult effectively with co-workers.

GS-12:
1. Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform project development, execution, training, and advisory services in assigned projects or program(s).

2. Knowledge to troubleshoot environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s).

3. Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make decisions and recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices; and health, safety, and security practices.

4. Skill to integrate an interdisciplinary team of professionals to include attorneys, public health specialists, public affairs specialists, biological scientists, environmental engineers, physical scientists, general engineers, community planners, regulators, other governmental officials, and community groups.

5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, and establish effective working relationships with others.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click .