Environmental Protection Specialist

Summary This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, positions report to local leadership in Central Office, Southwest Region, Western Region, Great Plains Region, Eastern Oklahoma Region, Navajo Region, Rocky Mountain Region, and Southern Plains Region. This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units? Learn more about this agency Duties As Environmental Protection Specialist, GS-0028, your typical work assignments may include, but not limited to: Consolidates and standardizes all NEPA activity in the region, including NEPA documentation prepared by other branches, divisions, and agencies. Prepares and/or manages individual Phase I Environmental site assessments (Phase I ESA), Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). Complies and analyzes baseline resource data in search for sites suspected of being contaminated and performs environmental site assessments under the direct supervision of the (DECRM) Division of Environmental, Cultural, Resource Management, Branch Chief. Reviews and responds to environmental documents, issues and requests submitted by tribes, private parties, and other federal agencies. Fulfills reporting and notice requirements, maintaining both internal files and an administrative record. Serves as Regional Office lead for interagency NEPA efforts, with BIA as lead or cooperating agency. Manages projects and contracts assigned, including tribal contracts under P. L. 93-638. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship Required As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. Selectee is required to operate a government motor vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the 4 year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607. AN INCENTIVE MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AT MANAGEMENT DISCRETION. A SERVICE AGREEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED. TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE. Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, GS-0028). GS-9: I have at least 1 year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-7 in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience providing assistance by researching environmental protection issues; or carrying out specified portions of environmental protection projects and identifying and recommending solutions to problems; assisting with site inspections; collecting data; reviewing documents; and analyzing evidence. These examples are not all inclusive (refer to summary of duties for specialized experience). OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that is directly related to this position OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. GS-11: I have at least 1 year of full-time specialized experience or the equivalent, comparable to at least the GS-9 in the Federal Service (obtained in either the public or private sector). Specialized experience in performing analytical duties associated with the planning, development, execution and review of environmental policies and procedures; or using analytical techniques to modify or adapt established environmental protection procedures; performing site inspections; writing reports; and recommending corrective/mitigation action or procedures for compliance. These examples are not all inclusive (refer to the summary of duties for specialized experience). OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR I have completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related to this position. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date. Education If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional information All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anadarko, Oklahoma; Farmington, New Mexico; Fort Duchesne, Utah; Fort Washakie, Wyoming; Lakewood, Colorado; New Town, North Dakota; Pawhuska, Oklahoma; Phoenix, Arizona; Washington, District of Columbia; Whiteriver, Arizona. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. The full performance level of this position is GS-11. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed. The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.