Environmental Protection Specialist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA APHIS in Fort Collins, CO seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist to perform analytical, research, report writing, and editing tasks in support of APHIS programs. Reports to ERAS leadership and coordinates with APHIS staff, the Department, and other Federal agencies.

The position emphasizes planning and reviewing environmental compliance documents, data synthesis, and GIS-based analysis, with opportunities to contribute to training materials and cross-agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in planning, writing, and/or reviewing environmental compliance documents (e.g., pesticide data, FIFRA guidance).
• Providing guidance on applicable legislation, regulations, or standards related to environmental policy (e.g., NEPA, ESA, FIFRA).
• Researching and synthesizing complex data to support scientific analyses.

Responsibilities

• Receives, reviews, organizes, analyzes, and prepares responses to comments submitted to APHIS on environmental analysis and compliance activities.
• Identifies and uses efficient and cost-effective applications of analytical methods for projects and environmental documentation.
• Provides specialized expertise on GIS methods and agency compliance with environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.
• Develops and presents training materials on environmental compliance issues pertaining to APHIS actions.
• Maintains and enhances overall quality of teamwork consistent with Agency policies, plans, procedures, goals and objectives.
• Ensures that environmental analyses are performed appropriately and contribute to assigned team projects.
• Assembles appropriate databases or information layers from recognized authoritative sources.
• Ensures accuracy of information collected and that original authors and data sources are cited and credited for information provided.
• Establishes and maintains contacts and cooperative working relationships with individuals and organizations having common interests in projects and studies under APHIS review.

Skills

Analytical writing

Policy guidance

Data synthesis

Communication

Tools

Geographic Information Systems

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

The incumbent (Environmental Protection Specialist) is responsible for performing a variety of analytical, research, report writing, and editing tasks on environmental subjects in support of APHIS' programs. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Environmental and Risk Analysis Services, or, at the Chief's discretion, to an Assistant Chief, but coordinates procedural and scientific aspects of the environmental work with others in ERAS, staffs in APHIS, the Department and other Federal agencies.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planning, writing, and/or reviewing environmental compliance documents (e.g., registration data for pesticides, including knowledge of FIFRA guidelines, regulations, or other study requirements for product chemistry, environmental fate, ecological effects, and residue chemistry); Providing guidance regarding pertinent legislation, regulations, or standards related to environmental policy (e.g., NEPA, ESA, Tribal consultations, or FIFRA correspondence); Researching and synthesizing of complex data to support scientific analyses. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Major Duties

• Receives, reviews, organizes, analyzes, and prepares responses to comments submitted to APHIS on environmental analysis and compliance activities.
• Identifies and uses efficient and cost-effective applications of analytical methods for projects and environmental documentation.
• Provides specialized expertise on specific analytical methods (e.g., Geographic Information Systems) and/or Agency compliance with environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.
• Develops and presents training materials on environmental compliance issues pertaining to APHIS actions.
• Maintains and enhances overall quality of teamwork consistent with Agency policies, plans, procedures, goals and objectives.
• Ensures that environmental analyses are performed appropriately and contribute substantially to assigned team projects.
• Assembles appropriate databases or information layers from recognized authoritative sources.
• Ensures accuracy of information collected and that original authors and data sources are cited and credited for information provided.
• Establishes and maintains contacts and cooperative working relationships with individuals and organizations having common interests in projects and studies under APHIS review.

Position Start Date:

09/23/2026

Position Close Date:

09/29/2026

Salary Offered:

89508 - 116362 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.