About

Overview

Hiring Path:

• Competitive service
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
• Veterans

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

-Current federal employees with competitive status; reinstatement eligible; and ICTAP or EPA CTAP eligible.

-Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed services under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA).

Security Clearance Required:

Other

Appointment Type

Permanent

Marketing Statement:

Earth Day is every day at EPA!  At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans, and you’ll discover that EPA is one great place to work!  We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career--we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment.  Discover how exciting safeguarding our natural resources and protecting human health can be.  Find yourself at EPA.  Learn more about EPA at https://www.epa.gov

Summary:

This position is in Region 8, Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division,  Technical Assistance Branch, in Denver, Colorado.  If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.  About Region 8:  Region 8 Webpage

Supervisory Position:

No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

No

Travel Required:

25% or less

You may be required to travel 25% of each month.

Duties

You will:

• Provide authoritative advice to other agency scientists and high-level officials, conducting investigations into potential risks to human health and the environment from chemical exposure.


• Provide expert review of technical documents prepared under EPA's direction as well as those prepared by others in support of the EPA programs and work on scientific teams in assigned project and studies.


• Play an integral role in developing policies, plans and procedures for addressing critical issues associated with human and/or ecological risk assessment and toxicology.


• Lead a multi-disciplinary staff responsible for providing expert risk assessment and toxicology support to Regional programs.


• Negotiate agreements and explain program priorities, activities, plans and other program actions.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation.  Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.

 

Key Requirements:

You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).

EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.

Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).

If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.

You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials.

Education Requirements:

 You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in toxicology, or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.

Evaluations:

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section.  If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment.  Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire.  If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.  We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

Qualifications:

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

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-14 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as assessing risks to human health effects and/or the environment from chemicals; developing health effects assessments or risk assessments by reviewing, analyzing and interpreting polices and procedures of scientific data; and reviewing toxicity studies of environmental contaminants.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

• Knowledge of chemical exposure pathways and impacts of toxic chemicals on human health and/or organisms in the environment


• Skill in written communication


• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements as they relate to toxicology and risk assessment issues 


• Ability to lead others


• Ability to work as a scientific specialist with teams involved in solving complex environmental problems


• Ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team


• Ability to translate highly technical scientific principles and theories into administratively workable solutions


• Skill in oral communication

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.

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

 

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits URL:

Review our Benefits

Agency Benefits:

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options!  Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.  To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

Other Information:

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee?  If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA.  Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.

 

How to Apply

How to Apply:

You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.

To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire.  To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.

All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.

If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement.  You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.

For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Required Documents:

Documents to be submitted online:

NOTE:  You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.

--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.  In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific.  We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.  
--Responses to the online assessment questionnaire (you must complete this online - it is not a document you need to upload).
--College transcripts - required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned.  NOTE:  Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.
--Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members:  submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP:  copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.
--Current and Former Federal Employees:  You are required to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes position title, pay plan, occupational code, grade or level, and duty station.  The SF-50 must also indicate the following (you may need to provide more than one SF-50):
•    Status Eligibility/Competitive Status - SF-50 must include appropriate tenure and position occupied.  If you are a current temporary/term employee who previously held a status federal position, you need to submit your SF-50 which shows your eligibility to be considered.  (NOTE:  If you are a current EPA employee and provide an SF-50 that does not show eligibility, we will access your eOPF to verify your eligibility to be considered.)  If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
•    Time-in-Grade - If you are applying for a higher grade, you must provide the SF-50 that shows the length of time in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade/range increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job).
--Current Federal Employees:  You are required to submit your most recent completed annual performance appraisal, dated within the last 18 months (if it is not dated within the last 18 months, or you have not received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why).  NOTE:  You only need to upload the page that shows the overall rating and signature, not the entire document.
--If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you'll need to submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy announcement.  If you want to learn more about noncompetitive appointments, visit OPM's website:  Special Appointment Authorities.

If you want to know more about submitting documentation to our office, visit EPA's website:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Next Steps:

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account.  You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your online occupational questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation.  You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package.  You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.  Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.  We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education.  If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.