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Interdisciplinary Civil EngineerPhysical Scientist (Environmental)


Job Location:

Portland, OR - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 114684 - 114684
Posted: 6 October 2026 (19 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Program Implementation (EPI) within the Pollution Prevention and Abatement (PP&A) organization (EP) in the Office of Environment Fish and Wildlife (E).

A successful candidate in this position is responsible for planning coordinating and executing studies of marked difficulty and responsibility in support of the functions of the Office of Environment Fish and Wildlife.


Duties

As an Interdisciplinary: Civil Engineer Physical Scientist (Environmental) you will:

  • Responsible for the preparation review update and coordination of environmental plans and reports (e.g. Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plans Contingency plans Storm water Pollution Prevention Plans etc.) required for BPA facilities and actions.
  • Ensure that plans meet the requirements of applicable Federal and state regulations.
  • Develop a comprehensive strategic plan to achieve environmental risk reduction objectives and maintain regulatory compliance remedy potential problems and achieve annual and long-term targets in assigned program areas.
  • Work with various performance project and program managers throughout the Bonneville Power Administration to integrate Pollution Prevention and Abatements emergency spill response objectives with the work of Transmission Services.
  • Responds to environmental emergencies resulting from BPA construction maintenance and operation activities (e.g. such as releases of hazardous or toxic substances and petroleum products sediment discharges etc.).
  • Serve as an environmental lead coordinator and/or team member for assigned areas of responsibilities and activities for PP&A (Pollution Prevention and Abatement) and TS programs and projects.
  • Provide technical direction advice training and guidance and serves as a mentor to BPA personnel regarding environmental requirements policies and practices within area of technical responsibilities.

Requirements
Conditions of employment

    In accordance with Executive Order 14170 applicants are encouraged to respond to four short free-response essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

    When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

    Key Requirements:
    • You must be a United States Citizen.
    • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
    • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
    • You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.
    Conditions of Employment:
    • This position requires a valid drivers license as a condition of employment.
    • After employment this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense if exposed to health hazards.
    • Ability to Lift 50 lbs.
    • Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.
    • Protective Clothing and Respiratory Equipment required for On-site Inspectors.
    • Position supports the Bonneville Power Administrations (BPA) Pollution Prevention and Abatement Program and are primarily field related and will require routine travel. This travel will be throughout the entire BPA service area (i.e. Oregon Washington Idaho and Montana)
    Qualifications

    BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

    Civil Engineer (0810):

    A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable the program must: (1) lead to a bachelors degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics such as optics heat transfer soil mechanics or electronics. -OR-

    B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying 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:

    1. Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI) Engineer in Training (EIT) or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State the District of Columbia Guam or Puerto Rico. -OR-
    2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States the District of Columbia Guam and Puerto Rico.-OR-
    3. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical mathematical and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.-OR-
    4. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelors degree in an appropriate scientific field e.g. engineering technology physics chemistry architecture computer science mathematics hydrology or geology may be accepted in lieu of a bachelors degree in engineering provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience e.g. in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
    For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: Scientist (Environmental) (1301):
    • Degree: 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-
    • Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science plus appropriate experience or additional education.

    SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

    A qualified candidates resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as Experience 1) Providing scientific and technical expertise for pollution prevention and abatement or natural resource protection projects and programs; 2) coordinating environmental permitting and environmental contract specification development; AND 3) interpreting providing guidance on and developing projects to comply with federal environmental rules and regulations.

    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

    There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 grade level.

    Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

    CTAP candidates: To be considered well qualified you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

    You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
    Additional information

    • The salary is based on a Special Rate Table Number (0753/0754): job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE
    EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center Equal employment opportunity policy
    Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
    USAJOBS Help Center Reasonable accommodation policy

    Veterans Information:
    USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
    Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
    Telework: Service Registration: - Who must register: incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

    BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

    We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community home and family members. BPA also supports employees overall wellness through its Be Well program which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career community financial physical and social.

    Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

    A 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 benefits

    Eligibility 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 Experience:

    IC