Environmental Protection Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Las Vegas, NV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA GEMS Program Manager manages, administers, and advises facility employees and leadership, VHA/VA leadership organizations, the public, and other environmental-related agencies on environmental program implementation to meet internal VA and external federal, state, and local requirements. The role develops, implements, and manages environmental goals, policies, and procedural documentation.

The incumbent serves in a developmental capacity at the GS-11 level. Duties are similar to those at the target position’s full performance level, but functions are delegated progressively after orientation and training and once the incumbent demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for full performance. The work involves routine environmental protection principles and procedures, inspections, compliance practices, regulatory requirements, and environmental science. The incumbent gathers and analyzes environmental information, communicates findings through reports and briefings, and may deliver basic environmental training. Assignments include objectives, priorities, and deadlines; recurring work is performed independently within established guidelines. Routine problems are resolved using precedents, while unfamiliar issues or significant deviations are referred to a supervisor or technical specialists. Completed work is evaluated for policy compliance and technical accuracy.

The position supports program management and regulatory compliance; environmental controls, planning, and performance management; training, communication, and stakeholder engagement; project support, contracting, and technical expertise; NEPA, cultural resources, and historic preservation compliance; and environmental leadership, coordination, and program oversight. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition upon meeting regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion.

This is a full-time, Monday-through-Friday position scheduled 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Travel may be required up to 25%. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized. A financial disclosure report is not required.

Requirements

• For GS-9, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, including relevant administrative functions such as administration, human resources, budget and finance, management and program analysis, office support, document control, or logistics.
• For GS-11, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9, including experience managing, supervising, administering, or advising facility employees and leadership; developing and managing environmental goals, policies, and procedures; identifying and implementing training, policies, operational requirements, and engineering controls for changing environmental regulations; and establishing project objectives and providing findings and recommendations.
• Current federal employees who held a GS grade within the past 52 weeks must meet the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-7 for GS-9, or 52 weeks at GS-9 for GS-11.
• Knowledge of environmental protection principles, standard environmental procedures, inspection techniques, compliance practices, and basic regulatory requirements.
• Basic environmental science knowledge, such as biology, chemistry, ecology, hydrology, radiation physics, environmental law, real property, or statistics.
• Ability to use data-gathering methods and standard analytical techniques to assess environmental information.
• Effective oral and written communication skills for reports, briefings, and basic environmental training.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete any required probationary period, background/security investigation, and online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Participation in the COVID-19 vaccination program is required for VHA health care personnel.
• The work may require walking, standing, carrying light items, driving, or traveling by motor vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Manage, administer, and advise facility employees and leadership, VHA/VA leadership organizations, the public, and environmental agencies on environmental program implementation.
• Develop, implement, and manage environmental goals, policies, and procedural documentation.
• Apply environmental procedures, inspection techniques, compliance practices, and regulatory requirements to assess compliance and recommend routine actions.
• Gather and analyze factual environmental information using standard methods and analytical techniques.
• Prepare reports, provide briefings, and deliver basic environmental training.
• Support program management and regulatory compliance, environmental controls and planning, performance management, stakeholder engagement, project support, contracting, and technical work.
• Support NEPA, cultural resources, and historic preservation compliance, as well as environmental planning, policy development, and project work.
• Resolve routine issues within established guidelines and refer unfamiliar issues or significant deviations to supervisors or technical specialists.
• Establish project goals and objectives and provide findings and recommendations.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of service; prior work or military service may qualify for annual leave accrual credit, subject to request and approval.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type.

What This Job Offers

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