Job Information
Environmental Protection Agency Recent Graduate or Near-Term Graduation - Life Scientist/Physical Scientist/Environmental Engineer in Chicago, Illinois
Summary These positions are in Region 5, Water Division, Watersheds and Wetlands Branch, Standards Section. About Region 5: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-5. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section. Responsibilities At the entry level of this position, you will: Integrate knowledge, skills, and abilities in the sciences, water quality monitoring, data management and analysis to perform complex and detailed water quality assessments and biological or scientific analyses to achieve the objectives of water quality and protection programs. Performs program administration work, or environmental liaison work, in order to accomplish the assigned environmental management and protection duties; and serve as technical contact on state or tribal grants or contracts. Provide technical and programmatic advice and assistance to state, local and/or tribal governments on matters relating to the development, execution, and monitoring of adequate environmental protection policies, plans, and programs. Use information technology and scientific background, analytical methods and techniques to develop applications to analyze a range of scientific, environmental protection, legal and/or environmental management issues. When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section. If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed. You must be a U.S. citizen. EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings. #LI-Onsite 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. REAL ID requirements will become effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected and come on board with EPA on or after that date and plan to use your driver’s 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 driver’s license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver’s 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 still completing coursework, offer of employment will be contingent upon completion of degree/certificate program. Proof showing confer date within 9 months of the announcement closing date will be required before entry on duty. If you are selected, the entire period served under the Recent Graduates program will be a trial period. 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. Qualifications NOTE: If you are qualifying on the basis of general or specialized experience, you must meet the experience requirements 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-07 level, you must have one of the following: 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level defined as implementing water programs and projects. 1 year of graduate-level education; or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition); the education must be directly related and provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position equivalent combination of education and experience To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must have one of the following: 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level defined as performing programmatic, technical, financial and grant functions as required including the implementation of water programs and projects OR master's or equivalent graduate degree. 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree; or master’s or equivalent graduate degree; the education must be directly related and provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position equivalent combination of education and experience NOTE: 1 year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study; if that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours is considered an academic year of graduate study. Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Skill in applying concepts, principles, practices, and methodology of the field of life, engineering and physical sciences sufficient to perform assignments of moderate difficulty, or discrete portions of more complex projects. Knowledge of environmental statutes and regulations such as the Clean Water Act. Knowledge of water quality management programs and concepts relevant to water programs implemented by states, interstate agencies, eligible tribes, and/or other government bodies. Knowledge of water quality assessments and/or monitoring programs experience performed to support and assist states interstate agencies, eligible tribes, and/or other government bodies. Skill in oral communication, sufficient to articulate issues and positions on both scientific and technical matters related to implementation of water quality standards, water quality monitoring, pollution control, and other environmental protection programs. Skill in written communication. 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: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Education In addition to the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduates program, you must meet the following basic requirements in order to qualify for this position: 0401 - Life and Biological Sciences Series: You must have a bachelor's 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. 0800 - Engineering Series: You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Have a 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 bachelor's 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. Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications. 1301 - General Physical Science Series: You must have a bachelor's 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 EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Additional Information This position is in the bargaining unit. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. 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: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. This position is in the Pathways Recent Graduates Program, which provides individuals who have completed a qualifying associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate with an entry-level developmental experience with the potential to lead to a career in the Federal government. Upon successful completion of the program, you may be noncompetitively converted to a term or permanent position without further competition. For more information, see USAJOBS Information Sheet. ATTENTION VETERANS: If you are a veteran (as defined in 5 USC 2108) who due to military service obligations was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period (described in the “This job is open to/Clarification from the agency” section above), you have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon your release/discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may your eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date you completed the requirements for a qualifying degree or qualify career or technical education program. 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. 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.