The following vacancy announcement was posted to USAJOBS on April 30, 2020 and closes May 5, 2020.
Open to Recent Graduates – RTP-R3-OT-2020-0013- Recent Graduates who have completed a qualifying degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or technical education program within the preceding 2 years of the announcement closing date OR current students who will complete a qualifying degree/certificate within 4 months of the announcement closing date. Preference eligible veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation may apply up to 6 years after degree/certification.
Title: | Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist |
Series and Grade Announced: | 0401/0819/1301 |
Location of Position: | Philadelphia, PA |
Area of Consideration: | Recent Graduates who have completed a qualifying degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or technical education program within the preceding 2 years of the announcement closing date OR current students who will complete a qualifying degree/certificate within 4 months of the announcement closing date. Preference eligible veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation may apply up to 6 years after degree/certification. |
Position Type: | Entry-Level, Excepted Service |
Opening Date: | 04/30/2020 |
Closing Date: | 05/05/2020 |
Number of Vacancies: | Few |
Position Risk Designation: | Moderate Risk |
Direct Link to Announcement | https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/566917400 |
Qualifications:
In addition to the eligibility requirements for Recent Graduates, this position has specific educational requirements in order to qualify as described below.
Life Scientist: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.
Environmental Engineer: All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:
- Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR
- Have a combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
- Professional registration as an engineer.
- Evidence of Passing the Engineer-in-Training Written Test.
- Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.
- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications.
Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.
As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Specialized Experience:
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as analyzing field or laboratory environmental samples; OR applying concepts and basic principles in related environmental science fields; OR applying scientific/engineering principles or policies to environmental protection issues or problems – OR 1 full year of graduate level education; or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described above.
To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as assisting with planning and implementing scientific investigations or projects related to environmental protection; OR performing data analyses on scientific investigations/projects and presenting results related to environmental protection – OR master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described above.
Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Ability to work collaboratively with a team; 2) Skill in oral communication; 3) Skill in written communication; 4) Knowledge of environmental protection principles and methods; and 5) Ability to analyze environmental problems.
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.
For questions, please contact:
Keith Hisle, PHR
Human Resources Specialist
HRMD/OS1A, OARM-RTP
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC
919-541-7982
Or
Geoffrey Ng, PHR
HR Specialist
Human Resources Management Branch
Mission Support Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region III (3MD40)
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 814-5358
E-mail: ng.geoffrey@epa.gov