Environmental Protection Specialist - Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Summary This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Region in Phoenix, Arizona. Performs environmental policy compliance and protection. This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units? Responsibilities You will provide professional environmental management and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for all the trust natural resources affected by federal actions for trust lands in the Western Region. Your duties will include, but are not limited to: Overseeing, planning, managing, or conducting planning related investigations regarding potential impacts to air, water, soils, timbered and non-timbered vegetation, wildlife, including sensitive, threatened, and endangered species, and socio-economic issues affected by all development activities related to all trust resources under the Region's area of responsibility. Assignments pertain to all federal actions/undertakings triggering NEPA and the problems encountered at the specific Agency and Tribal locations relating to encumbrances on or adjacent to Indian lands. Serve as the technical liaison with Federal, state, county, tribal, and persons and companies doing business with and on tribal lands. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards Administrative and Management Positions for GS-13 grade level). For GS-13 Grade Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates performing analytical duties associated with the planning, development, execution, and review of environmental policies and procedures pertaining to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); using analytical techniques to modify or adapt established environmental protection procedures; performing site inspections to make an assessment to identify issues/barriers to project development; writing various reports such as environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, biological assessments, and categorical exclusions; recommending corrective/mitigation action or procedures for compliance. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date. Education Generally does not apply. Additional Information All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2024 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Phoenix, Arizona. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp . LAND MANAGEMENT WORKFORCE FLEXIBILITY ACT: If applying under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, you must provide documentation to support your eligibility (SF-50) and performance (references and/or performance appraisal). Under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) two groups of individuals are eligible to apply under this announcement: current and/or former employees serving or who have served under time-limited competitive appointments at land management agencies. Land Management Agencies include: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service. Current appointees: 1) must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; 2) must have served under one or more time limited appointment(s) by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND 3) must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. Former appointees: 1) must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; 2) must have served under one or more time limited appointment(s) by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; 3) must have separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND 4) must have performed at an acceptable level through the service period. SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY: Certain candidates may be eligible to apply under a special hiring authority including those for disabled individuals, Peace Corps employees, Foreign Service employees, veterans, etc. For more information, visit the following OPM websites: USAJOBS Information Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/; Vets Info Guide: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAYMENT: Former Federal Employees are required to indicate whether they received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) buyout in their previous employment with the Federal government, and are required to submit a copy of the applicable Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) regarding the VSIP. Most individuals who accept reemployment with the Federal government within 5 years of receiving the VSIP amount, must repay the gross amount of the separation pay prior to reemployment.