Environmental Protection Specialist (NEPA)

DutiesSummary

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages the exploration and development of the nation's offshore resources. It seeks to appropriately balance economic development, energy independence, and environmental protection through oil and gas leases, renewable energy development and environmental reviews and studies. For information about our bureau go to: http://www.boem.gov/

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

Responsibilities

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Office of Renewable Energy Programs (OREP), Environment Branch located in Sterling, VA.

The OREP's Environment Branch for Renewable Energy (ERBE) is responsible for conducting environmental reviews for Atlantic OCS renewable energy competitive and noncompetitive leasing processes and post-lease operational activities in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In addition, EBRE develops, coordinates, reviews, and manages a long-term OCS environmental studies program related to renewable energy activities on the Atlantic OCS. The incumbent serves in OREP's EBRE as a coordinator of NEPA reviews for renewable energy activities on the Atlantic OCS.

At the full performance level, GS-14 the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinating all aspects of the preparation, review and publication of environmental impact statements (EISs), environmental assessments (EAs), and other environmental compliance documents.

• In the case of contracted environmental compliance documents, preparing statement of works, reviewing/tracking the project's progress, serving as a Contracting Officer Representative, and serving on Technical Evaluation Proposal Evaluation Committees.

• Leading multidisciplinary teams of bureau scientists in the preparation and review of EISs, EAs, and other environmental compliance documents as well as input into planning and leasing activities.

• Arranging and conducting public scoping meetings, public hearings, and information meetings.

• Serving as OREP's Environmental Lead for one or more Atlantic States through all phases of renewable energy development.

• Developing procedures and guidance for other OREP NEPA coordinators.

• Providing guidance, instructions and critical review for EBRE's subject matter experts.

• Representing BOEM at professional meetings, Intergovernmental Task Forces and committees involving Federal, State, or private agencies and individuals where expertise of subject matter is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The incumbent generally works in an office environment with normal furnishings and surroundings. Considerable travel by airplane, automobile, or train may be necessary to accomplish assigned duties. Generally, travel will not exceed one week per month. Intense concentration on highly technical and complicated matters will be necessary. Much of the work is performed under short deadlines and crisis-oriented atmosphere. There are no unusual physical demands except for possible lengthy travel relating to assignments (no more than one week at a time).

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Salary Range Information: *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
GS-12: $87,198 - $113,362
GS-13: $103,690 - $134,798
GS-14: $122,530 - $159,286

This vacancy is also announced as BOEM-MMEE-21-KS-091(DEU) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Competitive Examining procedures.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel 1-5 nights a month for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

14

• Job family (Series)

  0028 Environmental Protection Specialist

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • You will be subject to a background/ suitability investigation/ determination.
  • Your will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
  • You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
  • Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.
  QualificationsMinimum Qualification Requirements:
  
  To qualify for this position, you must meet the Specialized Experience for the grade to which you are applying.
  
  GS-12 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 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: must meet all
  • performing reviews of all or portions of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) documents or other environmental analyses by others; and
  • preparing all or portions of NEPA, CZMA, or equivalent documents such as Categorical Exclusion Reviews, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, consistency determinations, or consistency certifications.
  GS-13 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 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: must meet all
  • preparing Environmental Assessments and/or Environmental Impact Statements under NEPA; and
  • coordinating with and reviewing the work of environmental subject matter experts; and
  • coordinating with other Federal agencies under Title 41 of Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41) or equivalent statute or order.
  GS-14 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-14, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 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: must meet all
  • preparing Environmental Impact Statements under NEPA or consistency determinations or certificates under CZMA; and
  • coordinating with and reviewing the work of environmental subject matter experts; and
  • coordinating with other Federal agencies under FAST-41 or equivalent statute or order; and
  • serving as a technical expert providing information to management and leadership on environmental statutes, laws, regulations, executive orders, and related implementation guidance.
  Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
  
  All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  
  Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Education
  Additional information

  Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
  
  Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
  
  The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
  
  Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process.
  
  NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
  A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.

  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
  
  Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Project Management: Ability to effectively and independently manage complex and/or controversial projects including scheduling and prioritizing multiple tasks and providing guidance and instructions to a team of multi-disciplinary scientists.
  • Technical Competence: Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise (for example, engineering, physical science, law, or accounting); maintains credibility with others on technical matters.
  • Teamwork: Skills necessary for collaborative engagement of federal and state agencies, stakeholder groups and the public in the environmental review process.
  • Regulations and Guidance: Knowledge of environmental laws and implementing regulations, including NEPA, and Council on Environmental Quality regulations associated with offshore renewable energy activities.
  DUE WEIGHT
  Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.
  
  If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.
  
  To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11199929
  
  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Moderate Risk (MR)

  Trust determination process

  Credentialing, Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. It is strongly recommended that you use the USAJobs Resume Builder as it was designed to ensure that your resume includes the standard information needed. The Resume Builder is available at
  https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume
  
  Your application package must include: (1) Resume showing relevant experience as written in your own words; (2) Completed online Assessment Questionnaire; (3) SF-50's showing (1) your highest FPL, and (2) most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station. Please note that all SF-50's submitted must show that you are a status candidate or eligible under this announcement. Please refer to the eligibility in the online questionnaire for more information; (3) College transcript (if applicable) for verification of qualifying education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; (4) Certificates, license, etc. (if applicable); (5) Form DD-214 OR VA letter and Standard Form 15, if eligible under VEOA or VRA; (6) Proof of eligibility if applying under a special appointing authority;(7) Current or former Government employees are strongly encouraged to submit a recent performance appraisal.
  NOTE: Applicants claiming eligibility under VEOA or VRA, must submit a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy is preferred), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service (must be honorable); OR acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 10% or more).
  NOTE: Applicants claiming eligibility based on 30% or more service connected disability, you are required to submit documentation that is indicated on the SF-15 as acceptable proof of verification of your preference (i.e., official document, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying that the veterans total combined serviced-connected disability rating is 30% or more.
  You will find additional information on the following topics: (1) e-Verify; (2) Selective Service; (3) CTAP/ICTAP; (4) Education - accreditation; (5) Foreign education; (6) Veterans preference; (7) Special appointing authority documentation; and more can be found on our web site: https://www.bsee.gov/careers/usajobs-assistance OR http://www.boem.gov/USAJobs-Assistance/.
  
  If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty station. To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, you must earn a minimum score of 85 or above (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference) on the rating criteria for this position.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

HelpThis job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Family of overseas employees

  Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is, or was, working overseas.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management

  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities

  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

This is a Merit Promotion announcement for Government employees and those who are eligible under the hiring paths listed. For further clarification please click here: https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/administrative-services/human-resources/eligibility