Summary This announcement has been extended until September 22, 2023. Applicants who have already applied to not need to reapply. They may, however, update their application materials during this time. This position is located in the Safety Section of the Engineering Service within the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) in West Roxbury, MA. The Environmental Protection Specialist serves as the Medical Center's Assistant to the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Program Manager. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assists in developing and implementing the GEMS program and coordinating the efforts of staff involved with GEMS to ensure that the GEMS program is developed and implemented in accordance with VHA policy and guidance; Assists in planning, organizing and implementing and providing technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems. Assignments include, but are not limited to, industrial wastewater sampling, potable water sampling, treatment, management, storage and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste, clean-up of hazardous material spills, air pollution control and assistance with environmental permit management/reporting requirements; Provides technical assistance to the GEMS Program Manager for the design, modification, operation and maintenance of VABHS facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations; Assists in the managing VABHS's environmental programs such as (Spill Prevention, Stormwater Management, Pollution Prevention, Clean Air Act compliance, Clean Water Act compliance, Safe Drinking Water Act, Asbestos Management, Lead Management, Recycling, etc.); Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective programs for the identification, collection, storage and disposal of hazardous/non-hazardous wastes at VABHS facilities. Ensures that the handling of all waste streams is in compliance with Federal, State and Local government laws and regulations; Provides technical advice regarding response to environmental emergencies; Oversees subcontractors that are utilized to augment the hazardous/nonhazardous waste management programs. Assists the GEMS Program Manager in determining how environmental policies, procedures and systems will affect the operation of VABHS; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. To qualify for this position at the GS-9 grade level, applicants must meet at least one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of an Environmental Protection Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes: having a broad professional knowledge and skill in applying a range of environmental theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods to perform a range of assignments; planning, implementing, and evaluating environmental protection programs; administering a green environmental management program; leading environmental facility inspections to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; advising management on environmental program status; preparing reports; and training others on specific environmental topics. NOTE: This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Note: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Note: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications Compliance Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Environmental Engineering Technical Competence Technical Credibility IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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. Physical Requirements: The physical layout of the VABHS and Clinics and the immediate span of control over all environmental operations require frequent walking throughout the hospital environment. Incumbent is exposed to wet, slippery floors, moving equipment, high temperatures, drafts and continuous noise. Work activity may involve prolonged periods of sitting, standing, climbing, work in cramped spaces, walking, and bending. Incumbent occasionally lifts and moves moderately heavy objects. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (774) 826-1269. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.