Environmental Protection Specialist

The listed duties below reflect the full performance level for this position.
Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing a GEMS program at the VA Healthcare System and coordinating the efforts of staff involved with GEMS to ensure that the GEMS is developed and implemented in accordance with VHA policy and guidance.
• Manages environmental programs such as (SPCC Plan Storm Water Plan P2 Plan clean air and clean water safe drinking water asbestos and lead management and abatement mercury reduction etc.).
• Conducts internal gap analyses of GEMS. Issues reports of gap analyses and tracks the status of corrective and preventive actions. Reviews implementation of GEMS policy and procedures and reports on the status to the Chief Facilities Management. Discusses deficiencies and necessary remedial action with appropriate VAMC staff including top management.
• Develops implements and maintains effective programs for the identification collection and disposal of hazardous waste. Ensures that handling of all waste streams complies with federal state and local governmental laws and regulations.
• Advises management on how environmental policies procedures and systems will affect the operation of the hospital.
• Reviews how expansion modification closures of existing facilities and infrastructure and new construction of structures and infrastructure will affect the environment and provides information that will minimize adverse impacts to human health and the environment and reduce facility vulnerability.
• Measures the effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommends to the Chief Facilities Management modifications to existing programs as needed to meet changing environmental requirements.
• Serves as an expert on issues related to environmental statutes including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Clean Water Act Clean Air Act Superfund National Environmental Policy Act Toxic Substances Control Act Safe Drinking Water Act etc.
• Participates in planning organizing implementing and providing technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems. Assignments include but are not limited to industrial wastewater treatment and disposal; safe drinking water; treatment storage and disposal of hazardous waste; release of hazardous material/spill response; air pollution control; environmental media permitting; toxic substances; and regulatory oversight.
• Provides technical expertise for the design modification operation and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Evaluates and implements pollution prevention alternatives to reduce the generation of waste. 5. Manages response to environmental emergencies including releases/spills of hazardous materials.
• Coordinates response to VA and external environmental audits surveys inspections etc.
• Develops promotional and educational activities to promote stakeholder awareness of the Medical Centers environmental issues.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory qualification and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist/PD931720 and PD932900
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/24/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade as required by the this instance you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-9
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade Gs-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:

• Experience assisting with environmental protection program activities such as hazardous waste and universal waste inspections updating labels maintaining compliance documentation and supporting waste tracking.
• Experience collecting environmental data maintaining records and preparing basic reports under close supervision.
• Experience assisting with GEMS or other environmental management system activities including maintaining binders participating in meetings and helping develop training materials.
• Experience communicating environmental information to staff through written notes reports or discussions and participating in group activities or briefings.
  . OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have masters or equivalent graduate degree

or

2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.B. or J.D. if related. OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and beyond one full year of graduate education.

GS-11
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade Gs-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:

• Experience independently managing and implementing environmental programs including GEMS hazardous waste SPCC Storm Water Pollution Prevention Clean Air/Water and Safe Drinking Water programs.
• Experience conducting inspections audits and environmental monitoring activities including hazardous waste container checks CEOC rounds fuel tank inspections and effluent testing.
• Experience advising leadership and staff on environmental policies compliance issues and environmental impacts of construction modification or operational changes.
• Experience developing environmental reports training and educational materials and maintaining environmental records databases and compliance documentation.
• Experience collaborating with regulatory agencies contractors vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and resolve environmental issues.

. OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond two full years of graduate education..

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Required Experience:

IC