Environmental Protection Specialist
: Job Details :

SummaryThis position is located in CUMBERLAND GAP NHP, in the Resource Stewardship and Science Division.Open to the first 75 applicants or until 01/10/2025 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.Learn more about this agencyHelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates12/26/2024 to 01/10/2025This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more* Salary$59,966 - $94,317 per year* Pay scale & gradeGS 9 - 11* HelpLocation1 vacancy in the following location:* Middlesboro, KY* Remote jobNo* Telework eligibleYes-as determined by the agency policy.* Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.* Relocation expenses reimbursedYes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.* Appointment typePermanent - Career Seasonal* Work scheduleFull-time* ServiceCompetitive* Promotion potential11* Job family (Series)* 0028 Environmental Protection Specialist* Supervisory statusNo* Security clearanceOther* Drug testNo* Position sensitivity and riskNon-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk* Trust determination process* Credentialing* Financial disclosureNo* Bargaining unit statusNo* Announcement numberSE-1629-CUGA-25-12643626-MP* Control number825217600HelpThis job is open to* Federal employees - Competitive serviceCurrent or former competitive service federal employees.* Internal to an agencyCurrent federal employees of this agency.* Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)Federal employees who meet the definition of a surplus or displaced employee.* Land and base managementCertain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.Clarification from the agencyOpen to current career/career conditional federal employees of the National Park Service, CTAP eligibles, Land Management (LMWFA) and non-competitive NPS merit promotion ONLYVideosHelpDutiesCareer-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work from approximatelyJanuary - November, and you will be in a non-pay status in the month of December for at least 2 week (1 pay period) for the remainder of the year.Major Duties:This position serves as part of the resource stewardship and science team. Duties include but are not limited to:* Evaluating environmental effects of both internal and external projects to ensure compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Park Service regulations, policies, and guidelines.* Preparing and reviewing environmental compliance documents and technical reports.* Reviewing permit applications for potential resource impacts and processing NEPA compliance documentation.* Reviewing projects for impacts to wilderness and preparing minimum requirements analysis documents.* Assisting with project description development and documentation for park projects.* Assisting or leading the park's interdisciplinary compliance review team.* Maintaining digital compliance databases and files.* Assisting with civic engagement and public scoping.* Onsite project monitoring, collecting field data, and performing resource condition assessments throughout the Park.Additional duties at the GS-11 level:* Functions as an environmental specialist who manages all aspects of compliance processes and environmental documentation for the Park.* Prepares environmental documentation such as environmental assessments or impact statements on proposed operations.* Analyzes compliance problems and recommends solutions.* Facilitates meetings with the public, interest groups, or other agencies.* Participates in park planning projects, assisting with research, data gathering and writing of compliance documents.Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.Area Information:Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, located in the tri-state area of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, includes over 24,000 acres. More than 14,000 acres of the park have been recommended for wilderness designation by Congress. The park was authorized by Congress in 1940 to commemorate the story of the first doorway to the west. The Cumberland Gap was first used by migrating wildlife, followed by American Indians, explorers, and pioneers. The Gap was also strategically important during the civil war.Cumberland and Brush mountains in the park support a diversity of flora and fauna, including rare species. Park staff are responsible for managing forests, wildlife, wetlands, cave systems, streams, etc.Park headquarters is in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Please visit our website at www.nps.gov/cuga for more informationHelpRequirementsConditions of Employment* U.S. Citizenship required.* Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.* Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for male* Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.* Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments. Time-in-grade does not apply to new excepted service appointments and must be met by the closing date of this announcement.* You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.* You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.* You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.* You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime work.QualificationsRequirements Continued:* If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.* You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 1 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.* You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/10/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either full-time (or 40 hours a week ) or part-time with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.To qualify for this position at the GS-0025-09/11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:AT THE GS-09 LEVEL: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-0028-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: assists in the preparation, internal review, and the public involvement and review process for assigned environmental compliance documents and reports findings to supervisor with recommendations. Have knowledge of restoration principles applicable to duties in several functional areas, including environmental cleanup, landscape architecture, natural and cultural resource preservation and historic compliance. Evaluates National Park Service project work for potential environmental effects and ensures compliance with applicable policies and regulations. Ensures documents are technically adequate and conform to NEPA, wilderness regulations and NPS regulations, policies and guidelines. Participates in investigations in determining the relevancy, nature, and scope of information required to identify, evaluate, and recommend alternative management strategies and attendant impacts. Basic information includes but is not limited to socioeconomic patterns, regional and local air quality, identification of air quality related values, resource sensitivity and significance, NPS management objectives, planning and management constraints, topography, flora, fauna, climate, existing uses and facilities, legal land status, cooperating agency objectives and public preferences. You must include hours per week worked on your resume.* OR-EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree orLL.B. or J.D., if related to the occupation. Major study in environmental studies, earth sciences, biology, chemistry. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. You must submit your transcripts and if selected you will need to submit your official transcripts prior to EOD. You must include transcripts.* OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.AT THE GS-11 LEVEL: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-0028-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: As a leader or a member of an interdisciplinary team, collects environmental data, prepares environmental reports, evaluates proposals, and prepares environmental compliance documentation such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements on proposed operations. Assists in the preparation, internal review, and the public involvement and review process for assigned environmental compliance documents and reports findings to supervisor with recommendations. Have knowledge of restoration principles applicable to duties in several functional areas, including environmental cleanup, landscape architecture, natural and cultural resource preservation, and historic compliance. Evaluates National Park Service project work for potential environmental effects and ensures compliance with applicable policies and regulations. Ensures documents are technically adequate and conform to NEPA, wilderness regulations and NPS regulations, policies and guidelines. Participates in investigations in determining the relevancy, nature, and scope of information required to identify, evaluate, and recommend alternative management strategies and attendant impacts. Basic information includes but is not limited to socioeconomic patterns, regional and local air quality, identification of air quality related values, resource sensitivity and significance, NPS management objectives, planning and management constraints, topography, flora, fauna, climate, existing uses and facilities, legal land status, cooperating agency objectives and public preferences. You must include hours per week worked on your resume.* OR-EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the occupation. Major study in environmental studies, earth sciences, biology, chemistry. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled. You must submit your transcripts and if selected you will need to submit your official transcripts prior to EOD.* OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.EducationTo qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.Additional informationA selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary in an office environment but requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.Working Conditions: The majority of the work is performed in an office setting with some travel to attend meetings, conferences and workshops, or for field inspections. The work can involve moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as exposure to dust, hot and dry weather extremes; and flights in small aircraft, including helicopters.The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster ONLY.Read more* BenefitsHelpA 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 benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.You will be evaluated on the following competencies:* Internal Controls* Interpersonal Skills* Manages and Organizes Information* Project Management* QTMATE* Technical CompetenceIn order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of additional assessments, including a QTMATE (Questionnaires that measure applicants' technical expertise). These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.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.* BenefitsHelpA 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 benefitsEligibility 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.* Required DocumentsAs a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/10/2025.* Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Your resume must clearly show how long your have held each grade in a federal position.* Complete All Required Assessments.* Merit Promotion Eligibility Documentation such as:* Federal employees or former federal employees must submit a copy of their latest or last SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action reflecting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service, shows position title, series, grade and an additional SF-50 showing highest permanent grade ever held, if not reflected on your latest SF-50. Examples of acceptable SF-50s include: Promotion, Within Rate Increases (WRI/WGI), or Appointment SF-50s. Do not submit an Award SF-50. Time in grade will be determined by reviewing your resume and required SF-50s. Your last Federal performance appraisal plan for your last position must reflect a rating of Fully Successful or equivalent. If the SF-50 showing highest permanent grade ever held has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess the one-year time-in-grade, as required by this announcement. In this instance, your resume must clearly show that you held that grade for one-year* Veterans Preference Documentation (e.g. DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter as appropriate)* Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.* Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance consistent with your SF_50s.* Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:* Veterans Preference Documentation:* If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.* If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.* If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-###-#### to establish proof of disability.* Performance Appraisals and Awards:*

All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor. If submitting a performance appraisal not dated within the last18 months, a statement as to why it is the most recent must be submitted. If no performance appraisal is available, applicants must submit a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).* College transcripts, if qualifying based on education. Your will be required to submit your official transcripts prior to EOD.* Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 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.* How to ApplyRequired Documents Continued:6. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.How to Apply:To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/10/2025. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.* Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.* Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting Start Application. * Click here for USAJobs Help with How to create an application * To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: * Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.* Select documents you want included in this application.* Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.* Select if you want to include your demographic information.* After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select Continue to Agency Site. * Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.* Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.* Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.* Review and Submit Application.* While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting + next to the job title for this position.* You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.* To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select + next to the job title for this position. Select Update Application for this job.* Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.Agency contact informationMary HearnePhone 000-###-#### Email ...@nps.govAddress CUMBERLAND GAP NHP91 Bartlett Park RoadMiddlesboro, KY 40965-1848USLearn more about this agencyNext stepsOnce the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.* Fair and TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.* Criminal history inquiries* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy* Financial suitability* New employee probationary period* Privacy Act* Reasonab