Environmental Protection Specialist

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist in the Office of Energy Projects, Division of Hydropower Licensing, to lead complex environmental analyses and interdisciplinary teams.

Located in Washington, DC, the role requires expertise in NEPA processes, licensing actions, and mentoring staff on environmental and engineering aspects of hydropower facilities. A background in contract oversight and policy development is essential.

Qualifications

• One full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to GS-13.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams to prepare ILP Study Plan Determinations, Environmental Assessments (EA) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
• Experience preparing draft license orders and related documents.

Responsibilities

• Direct complex environmental issue identification and evaluation that could influence major policies.
• Serve as COR for the hydropower program including preliminary permits, licenses and exemptions.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to prepare staff environmental documents and license orders.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship on environmental engineering issues related to hydropower facilities.

Skills

Environmental policy

Team leadership

NEPA knowledge

Contracting Officer's representative

Job description

Summary

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies as a "Best Places to Work" in the Federal government! This ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST position is located in the Office of Energy Projects. For more information visit: Office of Energy Projects (OEP) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Duties

This position is available in the Division of Hydropower Licensing in the Office of Energy Projects.

As an ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST some of your typical work assignments include:

• Directing the identification and evaluation of complex or unusual environmental issues that could establish major policies or significantly modify existing policies or procedures.
• Serving as the Contracting Officer's representative (COR) for the Commission's hydropower program to include preliminary permits, hydropower licenses and exemptions, and other related hydropower items requiring contracting support.
• Serving as a team leader of multidisciplinary teams assigned to prepare staff environmental documents (including NEPA documents) and license and other orders.
• Providing expert technical advice and guidance and acts as a mentor to less experienced and less knowledgeable staff on environmental and/or engineering issues associated with environmentally acceptable and technically sound design and operation of hydropower facilities.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must provide your SF-50 (see Required Documents section).
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• A background investigation is required.
• This is a bargaining unit position (AFG Local 421).
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.

Qualifications

You must meet the qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To view the eligibility and qualification requirements of an ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST, GS-0028, please visit: Environmental Protection Specialist, 0028 | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

You must have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is defined as: Analyzing complex environmental or engineering resource issues, and leading interdisciplinary teams in preparing Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) Study Plan Determinations, Environmental Assessments (EA) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and draft license orders.

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, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste the "Duties" section, specialized experience statement, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position; therefore, transcripts are not required.

Additional information

The duty location of this position is Washington, DC.

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• Have your Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
• Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC's supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of at least some energy securities is likely to be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment.
• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.