Environmental Protection Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

St. Louis (MO)

On-site

USD 77,000 - 100,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist in the VA St. Louis Healthcare System to plan and administer environmental programs, ensuring compliance with laws governing air, water, waste, and regulated substances.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing GEMS, leading inspections, managing SPCC/Storm Water plans, and supporting external and internal audits with training for staff. Telework may be discussed during interview.

Qualifications

Must submit transcript with application to meet education requirements.
Foreign education must be evaluated for credit with proper documents.

Responsibilities

Plan and administer environmental protection programs ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Develop and implement Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) and conduct facility self‑assessments/inspections.
Manage SPCC and Storm Water Plans; oversee pharmaceutical and hazardous waste disposal at Jefferson Barracks Division.
Coordinate training and information sharing on environmental issues for staff via onsite sessions and communications.
Support audits, surveys, and responses; recommend program changes to meet evolving environmental requirements.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Environmental Protection Specialist (EPS) plays a central role in planning and administering environmental programs. Environmental protection programs deal with the environmental impacts of human activities on air, land, water, and other natural resources.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental protection programs are designed to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing air emissions, hazardous materials, non-hazardous and hazardous waste, oil spills, water quality, and the storage of regulated substances (e.g. petroleum products, chemicals, and waste), among other areas. They are also designed to alleviate adverse impacts of human activity on the environment.

Incumbent serves as the EPS within the Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) office in the VA St. Louis Healthcare System (VA STLHCS). Incumbent's major efforts include developing and implementing a Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Program to assure ongoing compliance with environmental laws and regulations, permits, leading facility self assessments/inspections, and being a key member of the VA STLHCS GEMS Committee.

Environmental protection specialists apply specialized knowledge of one or more programs or functional areas of environmental protection work, but do not require full professional competence in environmental engineering or science. As the EPS, responsibilities include the following: Recommends changes in the design of facility programs to meet new environmental requirements and assist hospital services with compliance.

Participates and assists with the response plans and activities to all VA and external environmental audits, surveys, inspections, etc. Manages environmental programs such as Spill Prevention Control Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan and Storm Water Plan. Manages pharmaceutical waste and hazardous waste disposal for the Jefferson Barracks Division.

Facilitates the exchange of environmental information to staff, including the development and implementation of training and educational programs related to environmental issues using onsite training, newsletters, annual training, and correspondence as appropriate for the given audience. Measures the effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommends to management modifications to existing programs as needed to meet changing environmental requirements.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist/PD077880 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $76573 – $99550/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-23.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.