Environmental Protection Specialist

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Atlanta, GA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

You will serve as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Policy Management & Budget, Office of Environmental Policy & Compliance in Atlanta, Georgia. Pay varies based on the selected grade level and duty location; first-time federal hires normally start at step 1. Duties are developmental when the position is filled below the full performance level of GS-14.

The specialist advises and guides regional bureaus on implementing departmental environmental policy and management guidance, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance programs, reviews, multi-bureau Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and related matters. The role coordinates cross-bureau environmental compliance issues, including controversial matters or issues of particular Secretarial interest, and represents the Department on committees, working groups, task forces, and response teams addressing regional or statewide environmental matters.

The position serves as the Department’s regional lead for protecting natural and cultural resources and historic properties during emergency and remedial response activities under the National Response Framework’s Emergency Support Functions #10 and #11 and the National Disaster Recovery Framework’s Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support Function. The specialist represents the Department on regional, area/sub-area, and international joint response teams addressing oil discharges, hazardous substance releases, natural disasters, and terrorism incidents under the National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan. The specialist also serves as the regional point of contact for notifications of oil and hazardous substance spills, distributes notices to bureaus, and advises and assists governmental partners with response activities.

The position requires U.S. citizenship or nationality, a background investigation, Selective Service registration where applicable, direct deposit, and successful E-Verify verification. The employee must complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority, and obtain a government charge card for travel. After-hours emergency duties may be required 24/7, including on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work. Overnight travel may be required up to five nights per month. A one-year probationary period may be required.

The work is primarily sedentary, though periodic site visits may involve walking, standing, and carrying light items. The position is suitable for telework with supervisor approval. Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on the type of position. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or National.
• Successfully pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority; obtain a government charge card for travel.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Meet applicable Time-in-Grade requirements if a current Federal employee.
• GS-13: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, applying environmental laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to complex and sensitive issues; supporting senior officials on environmental technical policy or guidance; and interpreting and implementing environmental-program guidelines with government entities or organizations.
• GS-14: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, applying environmental laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to complex and sensitive issues; advising senior officials on environmental technical policy or guidance; and developing and interpreting environmental-program guidelines and implementing them with government entities or organizations.
• Education cannot substitute for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

• Qualifying volunteer experience may be credited, including experience through National Service programs and other organizations.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered, subject to case-by-case determination.

Responsibilities

• Advise and guide regional bureaus in implementing departmental environmental policy and management guidance, including NEPA compliance programs and reviews, multi-bureau EIS, and related issues.
• Review and coordinate cross-bureau environmental compliance issues, particularly matters that are controversial or of specific Secretarial interest.
• Represent the Department on committees, working groups, task forces, and response teams addressing environmental matters with regional or statewide implications.
• Lead regional efforts to protect natural and cultural resources and historic properties during emergency and remedial response activities in support of ESF #10 and #11 and the NCR RSF.
• Represent the Department on Regional Response Teams, Area/Sub-Area Committees, and international Joint Response Teams concerning oil discharges, hazardous substance releases, natural disasters, and terrorism incidents under the NCP.
• Serve as the regional point of contact for spill notifications, distribute notices to bureaus, and advise and assist Federal, State, Tribal, and/or foreign governments regarding response activities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered on a case-by-case basis, but is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed