Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Dayton, OH

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The position is located in the Waste & Operations Section of the Environmental Management Service (EMS) and works under the general supervision of the Chief, Environmental Management Service, at the Dayton VA and its subordinate units. The incumbent serves as the facility waste manager for general, regulated medical, sharps, and pathogenic waste streams. The role manages the facility waste management program and supports environmental compliance, recycling, sustainability, pollution prevention, and waste minimization initiatives. It also provides technical advice to facility leadership, coordinates with regulatory agencies, oversees waste management contracts and operations, and supervises staff. The position is not virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized, and a Critical Skills Incentive is not approved. Applicants must meet the applicable qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of October 23, 2026. For GS-11, qualifying experience may include one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, or qualifying doctoral-level education, or a combination of education and experience. Current or former federal employees may also be subject to time-in-grade requirements. Education used to qualify must be supported by transcripts and meet the stated accreditation requirements. Employment is subject to U.S. citizenship, required application steps and online assessment, applicable Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period. The work has no inherent physical requirements essential to performance that could not be addressed through accommodation or workplace adjustment.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Meet the applicable qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of 10/23/2026.
For GS-11, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, or qualifying education, or a combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience may include managing or evaluating environmental protection, waste management, recycling, sustainability, pollution prevention, or environmental compliance programs.
Specialized experience may include ensuring regulatory compliance; conducting environmental audits or inspections; interpreting environmental requirements; monitoring waste operations; and developing sustainability or waste minimization initiatives.
Specialized experience may include preparing environmental reports, providing compliance training or technical guidance, overseeing waste-related contracts, and planning, directing, or supervising employees.
For the education-only qualification route, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M. is required.
Education used to qualify must be supported by a transcript and be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
Current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees must meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement; GS-9 requires 52 weeks at GS-7, and GS-11 requires 52 weeks at GS-9.
Complete all required application steps and the online assessment.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Subject to a background/security investigation and completion of an online onboarding process with acceptable identification.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Manage the facility's waste management program, including regulated medical, sharps, pathological, municipal solid waste, and recycling programs.
Ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, local, VA, VHA, OSHA, and accreditation requirements governing waste management and environmental protection.
Advise facility leadership on environmental compliance, waste management requirements, risk mitigation, and regulatory changes.
Develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate recycling, sustainability, pollution prevention, and waste minimization initiatives.
Conduct environmental compliance audits, inspections, surveys, and program evaluations; identify deficiencies and recommend corrective actions.
Analyze environmental laws, regulations, policies, and guidance and provide technical interpretations and recommendations.
Serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or provide technical oversight for waste management contracts and contractor performance.
Monitor waste handling, storage, treatment, transportation, recycling, and disposal activities for safe and compliant operations.
Prepare environmental reports, waste management analyses, compliance documentation, and performance metrics.
Serve as the facility point of contact for waste tracking systems and environmental reporting programs, including managing environmental data and user access controls.
Collaborate with Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies and serve as a liaison on environmental compliance and waste management matters.
Provide employees with training and education on waste handling, environmental compliance, safety, and sustainability.
Participate in Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) activities and support environmental stewardship and sustainability performance.
Supervise and evaluate subordinate staff; establish priorities, assign work, develop performance standards, coach employees, and provide technical guidance.
Perform personnel management functions, including recruitment, hiring, employee development, performance management, disciplinary actions, grievance resolution, and workforce planning.
Promote Equal Employment Opportunity principles and support diversity, inclusion, and fair employment practices.