Life ScientistEnvironmental EngineerPhysical Scientist
Job Location:
Los Angeles, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is in Region 9 Water Division Groundwater and Drinking Water Branch. About this organization: Region 9
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).
*This announcement has been amended to close on 09/25/2026.*
You will:
- Evaluate and administer regulatory programs to ensure that the provision of drinking water meets federal standards.
- Provide training and technical engineering assistance to States Tribes and local agencies to support regulatory program implementation and the design construction and operation of treatment facilities.
- Manage financial assistance agreements to States Tribes and other agencies for program implementation and for the design and construction of water infrastructure.
One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations) if appropriate to the position.
#LI-Onsite
You must be a U.S. citizen.
You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.
If you are selected you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service.
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. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your drivers license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e. for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card) the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued drivers license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking or must be an Enhanced Drivers License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g. passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.
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.
NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements including any requirements described in the Education section by the closing date of this announcement.
In addition to the basic entry education requirements you must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below:
To qualify for the GS-12 level you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as providing technical assistance and/or management of environmental programs or water infrastructure projects; and drafting and/or reviewing scientific/engineering documents.
You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:
- Critical Thinking*
- Environmental Pollutants and Hazards*
- Written Communication*
- Environmental Laws and Regulations*
- Oral Communication
- Contract Management
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: Part-Time Experience.
Life Scientist: You must have a bachelors or higher 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:
You must have one of the following:
- Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college
- 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 bachelors or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university 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.
Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelors or higher 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 plus appropriate experience or additional education.
For information about accreditation requirements visit Accreditation.
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 in the Overview section.
Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities.
Are you a Displaced Federal Employee If so please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP
NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority you must be rated well-qualified (i.e. you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section).
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: E-Verify.
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.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process be considered for a position and if hired perform the essential functions of their job.
The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you the Human Resources Office and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information refer to EPAs Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application selection and hiring process:
Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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.
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.
If you are selected for this position situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional emergency or ad hoc basis.
NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e. full-time telework) your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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
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