Environmental Protection Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Tucson, AZ

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS), within Engineering Service’s Environmental, Health and Safety section. The Environmental Protection Specialist, also known as the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) Program Manager, applies specialized knowledge to plan and administer environmental compliance and sustainability programs.

The specialist plans and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, tracks regulatory deadlines and hazardous-waste information, and manages environmental permits. The role leads assessments, surveys, inspections, sustainability evaluations, and environmental compliance and pollution-prevention activities. It also advises facility leaders and other professionals, negotiates corrective-action agreements with environmental agencies, assesses environmental impacts of construction and facility changes, and coordinates responses to emerging contaminants and pollution issues.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A compressed schedule, telework, and virtual work are not authorized. Relocation, recruitment, critical skills, and permanent change-of-station incentives are not authorized. The position requires U.S. citizenship, completion of an online assessment and other application steps, and satisfaction of the stated suitability and onboarding requirements. A one-year probationary period or two-year trial period applies, as specified in the announcement.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, including relevant environmental program management, project planning and technical assistance, environmental emergency response, hazardous-waste management, program evaluation, regulatory and permit compliance, or hazardous-property management.
• Alternatively, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or a related LL.M., demonstrating the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Alternatively, a qualifying combination of specialized experience and education beyond two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or beyond a related LL.B. or J.D.
• Current or former federal employees applying at GS-11 may need to meet the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-09 and submit supporting SF-50 documentation.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Selected applicants must complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A transcript is required when education is used to qualify; qualifying education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement program policies and procedures to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and track regulatory deadlines, shipping schedules, and hazardous-waste locations and volumes.
• Manage environmental permits, ensuring they are written, followed, and modified as needed, and complete required actions to avoid permit violations.
• Lead facility self-assessments, surveys, and inspections to determine compliance with applicable state, local, and federal environmental regulations and evaluate program implementation.
• Advise organizations and services on procedural methods and process improvements, and lead sustainability evaluations covering environmental aspects and impacts.
• Negotiate corrective-action plans, potential monetary fees, and non-compliance orders with federal, state, and local environmental agencies.
• Review the environmental impact of facility expansions, modifications, closures, and new construction of structures and infrastructure.
• Serve as an expert on environmental regulations and technical issues.
• Lead and coordinate activities addressing new and emerging contaminants and pollution, including efforts to reduce, remove, and prevent pollution.
• Advise senior management on environmental program status and recommend process changes to meet new requirements or reduce environmental impacts.
• Advise scientists, clinicians, engineers, and other organizations on environmental compliance and protection programs.
• Manage compliance and pollution-prevention activities for internal and external reporting requirements.
• Identify process-improvement projects to reduce environmental impacts and take remedial action to address non-compliance issues or findings.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level