- Position Title
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Agency
- Forest Service
- Announcement Number
- 23-R4GVA-28-ENVNSPEC7-9-11G Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, May 15, 2023 to Thursday, May 25, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
3.
Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?
4.
Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?
5.
Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
6.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
7.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
8.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
9.
Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
10.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND
• has reinstatement eligibility; AND
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
• has reinstatement eligibility; AND
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
11.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND
• has reinstatement eligibility; AND
• has held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
• has reinstatement eligibility; AND
• has held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
12.
Are you:
• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
13.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?
Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
14.
Have you completed a qualifying conservation project(s) with the US Forest Service? If yes, confirm that you meet the following:
- you received a Public Land Corps - Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status
- you were between 16 and 30 years old (inclusive) when the certification of eligibility was signed
- you completed a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects that included at least 120 hours on Public Lands Corps projects; AND,
- you are within the two-year eligibility period from the date the certification was signed.
15.
Are you a former Resource Assistant with the US Forest Service? If yes, confirm that you meet the following:
- you received a Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status Based on Resource Assistants Program
- you successfully completed a minimum of 960 hours of full- or part-time work, not to exceed 3,500 hours over a two-year period
- you earned an undergraduate (associate or bachelor) or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education; AND,
- you are within the two-year eligibility period from the date the certification was signed.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Environmental Protection Specialist position with the USDA Forest Service. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position.
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of an Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-9/11. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application and information provided by your references. You must submit a copy of your transcripts that identifies for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade received, and date completed. If you are qualifying based on education and you do not submit specific course work information described below, your application will be rated not qualified for consideration. A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected.
1.
From the statements below, select the response that best describes your experience and or education as it pertains to meeting the basic requirement for the Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-7 position. Please select only one response.
2.
From the statements below, select the response that best describes your experience and or education as it pertains to meeting the basic requirement for the Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-9 position. Please select only one response.
3.
From the statements below, select the response that best describes your experience and or education as it pertains to meeting the basic requirement for the Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028-11 position. Please select only one response.
For each of the following tasks, choose the statement from the list below that best describe your experience and/or training. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and demonstrated capability. Your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume, and other relevant documents you submit.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Prepare and/or review environmental documentation to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental regulations.
5.
Assist with writing and developing environmental analysis reports to ensure required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines are followed.
6.
Review data collected by others for preparation of environmental documents.
7.
Assist with the coordination of administrative review, litigation, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations for accuracy and compliance with regulations.
8.
Maintain knowledge of current environmental laws, regulations, and policies to advise staff units.
9.
Advise management of the different levels of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation based on information provided by team members.
10.
Analyze and review environmental impacts on social, economic, environmental, and other resources to recommend alternatives for managing natural resources.
11.
Lead team(s) in carrying out routine environmental studies and evaluations to determine impacts of various actions or events, such as planning projects, on the environment.
12.
Track progress of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents to support team members in meeting deadlines.
13.
Assist with advising management on analytical tools and information systems to ensure National Environmental Policy (NEPA) and other environmental regulations are followed.
14.
Provide unit personnel with advice and guidance on compliance with a broad range of environmental policies, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Forest Management Act (NFMA).
15.
Maintain a working knowledge of current environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
16.
Apply laws, regulations, and policies to advise and lead unit interdisciplinary teams.
17.
Mediate conflicting viewpoints of interdisciplinary team members during preparation and processing of NEPA documents.
18.
Provide management advice regarding appropriate procedures in the use of analytical tools and information systems and that NEPA and NFMA regulations are followed.
19.
Advise leadership on administrative review processes and on how and where issues are addressed in appropriate environmental documents.
20.
Communicate effectively to coordinate with or lead interdisciplinary teams and provide advice and input on development of environmental documents.
21.
Perform detailed review of environmental studies, environmental analysis documents, and evaluations to ensure compliance with multiple environmental policy requirements.
22.
Serve as interdisciplinary team lead to carry out environmental studies and evaluations to determine the impacts of various actions or events, such as forest planning projects, on the environment.
23.
Provide interpretation and guidance to unit personnel who process Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
24.
Formulate responses to appeals/objections regarding decisions made in environmental documents.
25.
Interpret and disseminate changes, decisions, and directions regarding all environmental policies that would affect the unit.
26.
Lead writing and developing environmental analysis report efforts and review data collected by other specialists for preparation of environmental documents.
27.
I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided may be investigated. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).