Supervisory Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Environmental Protection Agency

Edison (NJ)

Hybrid

USD 148,000 - 193,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

Environmental Protection Agency in Edison, NJ seeks a Supervisory Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist to lead a unit in Region 2’s Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, Monitoring Operations Section. The role emphasizes compliance with regulations, staff supervision, and collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies.

It is an office-centered role with on-site reporting, plus situational telework allowed.

Qualifications

Requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines; or a combination of education and experience as described.
Engineering track requires a professional engineering degree or equivalent with deep knowledge in physical and mathematical sciences and engineering principles.
Physical Scientist track requires a bachelor’s or higher degree including 24 semester hours in physical science and related engineering areas.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct the activities of the organizational unit to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and alignment with program goals.
Exercise supervisory personnel management responsibilities, including assigning work, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and supporting employee development.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with high-level officials within the Division, Region, and agency, and with external stakeholders.
Serve as a technical advisor on issues pertaining to compliance inspections and ambient water monitoring programs.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Stakeholder relations

Education

Biological sciences / related

Professional engineering degree / equivalent

Physical science degree with 24 semester hours

Job description

Supervisory Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

This position is in Region 2, Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, Monitoring and Assessment Branch, Monitoring Operations Section. About this organization: Region 2 This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Key Responsibilities

You will: Plan, organize, and direct the activities of the organizational unit to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and alignment with program goals. Exercise supervisory personnel management responsibilities, including assigning work, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and supporting employee development.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with high-level officials within the Division, Region, and agency, as well as with external stakeholders, such as Federal, State, and local agency representatives. Serve as a technical advisor and assistant to the Second-Level Supervisor on issues pertaining to compliance inspections and ambient water monitoring programs.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements & Education

Life Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Environmental Engineer: You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.

Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.

Benefits will not change for current permanent EPA employees. If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.

NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Environmental Protection Agency, Other Agencies and Independent Organizations.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $148222 – $192694/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-21.

Who is eligible to apply?

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