See Announcement Below for Ecologist position at the US Environmental Protection Agency. This is posted on www.usajobs.gov This group mainly works on national policy related to the effects of major air pollutants on vegetation and ecosystems. The pollutants are primarily Ozone and deposition resulting from NOx and SOx pollution and particulate matter (also listed Pb & CO).
You can contact me if you have further questions, Jeff Jeffrey D. Herrick, Ph.D. Ecologist National Center for Environmental Assessment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ******************************************* Ecologist Job at EPA in Research Triangle Park, NC To apply, go to www.usajobs.gov Announcement Number: RTP-DE-2008-0133 Vacancy Information Announcement Number: RTP-DE-2008-0133 Vacancy Description: Biologist/Ecologist GS-0401/0408-11/12/13 Open Period: Thu May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2008 - Thu Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 2008 Series/Grade: GS-0401Z/0408,0408 -11/13 Salary: $56,246.00 TO $104,223.00 Promotion Potential: 13 Duty Locations: FEW vacancies in Research Triangle Park, NC Additional Information Who May Apply: Any U.S. citizen may apply. Job Summary: Founded in 1970, EPA is a dynamic organization employing people from diverse backgrounds dedicated to improving and preserving the quality of public health and the environment. EPA seeks to recruit exceptional men and women who will work in new creative ways that are cleaner for the environment, cheaper for business and taxpayers, and smarter for America's future. This position is located in the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Health and Environment Impacts Division, Ambient Standards Group (OAQPS/HEID/ASG), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Please visit <a href="http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps";>OAQPS</a> for more information. Key Requirements: * If selected, must complete an OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment. * Must be a U.S. citizen. Position Information: Full-time Permanent Major Duties: At the full performance level, the incumbent collaborates with scientists within EPA's Office of Research and Development in assessing the state of the science regarding the biological, toxicological and/or ecological effects of air pollutants on the environment; identifies the most policy-relevant aspects of that science that can inform ongoing assessments of existing air pollution regulation; identifies key policy-relevant data gaps in that science where ongoing or future research could potentially inform future reviews; contributes expertise to research initiatives designed to improve the scientific basis for policy issues associated with these air pollutants, including the development of effects or exposure models, environmental monitoring networks, methods for ecosystem benefits assessment (i.e. ecological indicators suitable for economic evaluation), and/or evaluation of the environmental impacts of potential new control strategies; develops approaches for scientific and/or technical assessments related to the biological, toxicological and/or ecological impacts of criteria air pollutants and/or conducts analyses related to the review, revision and development of ambient air quality standards to address adverse impacts on the environment of criteria air pollution; assists with the development of spatial impact models with consideration for such issues as optimal spatial and temporal resolution and the characterization of variability and uncertainty; assist in the evaluation of the need for new or revised air quality standards and perform necessary tasks to assist in the formulation, proposal, and promulgation of such national standards; prepares, edits and presents technical reports and papers related to ecological risks or benefits for criteria air quality standards, hazardous air pollutants and/or control strategies; assists/ contributes expertise to the development of methods/tools to improve agency capabilities to evaluate and/or perform ecological risk assessments and economic benefits analyses for air pollutants, such as the development of risk or benefits factors, ecological indicators, databases, models, GIS, mathematical or statistical approaches, and cartographical or other visual displays; collaborates within and across EPA offices, and with other agencies and interested parties, to support Agency mission and goals; and identifies opportunities for increased efficiency/ innovation of environmental protection policies and regulation by looking for relationships that might exist between sources, emissions, atmospheric chemistry, fate and transport and/or ecological impacts of criteria and hazardous air pollutants and/or their precursors to identify where multimedia or multipollutant approaches might be more appropriate. The primary difference between grade levels is the degree of supervision, the level of training and guidance provided and the complexity of assignment. Extramural resources management duties comprise less than 25% of the duties of the position and consist of contracts management. Qualifications and Evaluations: This position has a positive education requirement. Proof of successful completion of required course work MUST be provided to determine if you meet the basic qualification requirements for the position. Without this proof, your application will be rated ineligible. You must provide a copy of your school/college transcripts or a list of courses including course title, credit hours, and grade. You must submit your required proof as described in the Required Documentation section. Be sure to include the vacancy announcement number on your documents. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements for this position if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence by the closing date of the announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR BIOLOGIST: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position OR combination of education and experience--Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ECOLOGIST: Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Agency. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. All males born in 1960 or later (who are selected for appointment) GS-13: Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects and serve as an advisor to other scientists and officials within and outside government; planning and coordinating methods development and applications projects in support of major agency scientific programs; serving as a senior scientist and technical authority in a field of science related to the vacant position. The occupational questionnaire is designed to assess your ability to demonstrate the following competencies: 1. Ability to comprehend, evaluate, and synthesize results of biological, toxicological and/or ecological data. 2. Ability to work effectively on a team. 3. Ability to communicate technical information verbally. 4. Ability to communicate technical information in writing. 5. Knowledge of developing regulations and guidelines. 6. Ability to manage technical and/or long-term projects. How You Will Be Evaluated: Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the application questions for this position submitted on-line via USAJOBS. These responses must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible. How to Apply: NOTE: USAJOBS recently implemented a feature which permits you to upload certain documents to your account. Please note at this time the Environmental Protection Agency is not accepting on-line attachment documents. It is important that you carefully read and follow the instructions in the Required Documents section to ensure your supporting documentation is received in our office so you will receive appropriate consideration for this position. Resume and application questions for this vacancy MUST be received on-line via the USAJOBS web site BEFORE midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE online resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Paper applications WILL NOT be accepted and requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the Human Resources Office listed on this announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants MUST CONTACT the Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for online submission. Most libraries, local employment offices, and vocational rehabilitation services can provide access to the Internet and assistance for online submission. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE online resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Questions regarding this announcement should be referred to the Human Resources Office listed on this announcement. Required Documents: TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED FROM ALL APPLICANTS: As this is a position with a positive education requirement, you must provide a copy of your school/college transcripts or a list of courses including course title, credit hours, and grade regardless of your current employment status. If you do not provide proof of your education, your application will be rated ineligible. All veterans must submit a copy of their DD 214 or documentation of qualifying service or receipt of a qualifying campaign badge or medal to claim veteran's preference. Veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit an SF 15 and its supporting documentation. You must ensure that the vacancy announcement number is annotated on your documents. These documents must be received by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Fax your documents to 919-541-2186, or you may e-mail them to [EMAIL PROTECTED]; enter the vacancy announcement number in the subject line. What to Expect Next: Once your complete application is received and the vacancy announcement closes, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. All applicants will be notified of the final status of this vacancy announcement through email. Benefits: Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options including flexible work schedules, telecommuting, fitness centers, career and personal development, leave, retirement programs, health benefits, group life insurance and long term care insurance programs, biweekly pay schedule, and transit subsidy. The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following Web address is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp Additional Information: Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements. This includes providing a copy of the agency notice, their most recent Performance Rating, and their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assigning of veterans preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP eligibility requirements, please visit www.opm.gov/ctap. DECLARATION OF APPOINTMENT: Applicants selected for Federal employment will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment," (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds for not hiring an applicant, for dismissing an applicant after beginning to work and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment in accordance with U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001. PROMOTION POTENTIAL. The full performance level of this position is GS-13. Promotion is based upon the following criteria: 1) the employee meets the basic qualification requirements (time-ingrade and specialized experience) for the next higher grade level; 2) the employee has demonstrated the ability to perform at the next higher grade level; and 3) their performance appraisal at time of review was at least fully successful. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. All EPA employees are required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. If selected, applicants will be subject to a one-year probationary period. Your application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579 and 5 USC 552a). This information is used to determine your qualifications for employment. The use of this information is authorized under Title 5 USC, Sections 3302 and 3361. EPA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please call the vacancy contact, prior to the closing date of this announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-bycase basis. EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences. VETERANS PREFERENCE If you served on active duty in the United States Military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for Veterans' Preference. What types of preference are there? 1. Five points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served: - During a war; or - During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or - For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or - During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or - For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or - In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference. 2. 10-point preference is granted if you are a disabled Veteran; you received a Purple Heart; you are the spouse or mother of a l00% Announcement Number: RTP-DE-2008-0133 disabled Veteran; or you are the unremarried widow (or widower) or the mother of a deceased Veteran. You must submit, with your application package by the closing date of the announcement, a copy of your DD-214, SF-l5 Application for l0-point Veterans' Preference, plus the required proof of eligibility as indicated on the back of that form or you will not receive 10-point preference. Additional information on Veterans' Preference may be obtained at this web site: (http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm) NOTICE: Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to reverify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, this employer uses E-Verify's photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515)
