Environmental Protection Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee

Summary The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This Environmental Protection Specialist Trainee position is located in the Occupational Safety and Health Service at the Lexington, KY VA Medical Center. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Learn more about this agency Duties The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Promotion Progression: This position is being hired at the GS-07/09 grade levels. During this program, when trainees meet administrative and qualification requirements and have been in their hiring grade for a minimum of one year, they can be promoted to the next higher grade level. NOTE: Trainees cannot be promoted beyond the established promotion potential of the position(GS-11). At the GS-7 entry level, this is a 2-year long program, the incumbent performs general environmental protection specialists assignments to gain knowledge and experience necessary to support Veterans Administration's (VA) Green Environmental Management System (GEMS)implementation and one or more programs or functional areas of environmental protection work. At the GS-9 grade level, this is a 1-year long program, the incumbent functions in a developmental capacity with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Applies working knowledge and a general understanding of environmental laws and regulation to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulation. Assists with hazardous waste and residual shipping. Prepares portions of environmental plans, permits, and reports. Collects and evaluates environmental data and compliance using appropriate analytical methods and techniques. Participates in environmental audits and incident investigations. Obtains and evaluates environmental data and supports GEMS program planning and implementation activities. Recommends necessary changes, control measures, best practices, etc. Prepares and conducts briefings and writes reports and letters. Assists with training employees and lower-grade safety staff in specific program requirements. Supports VA's Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) implementation. Supports environmental sustainability initiatives. Work schedule: 7:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee/PD99441S, PD99442S, and PD99443S Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) 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 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; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/13/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5 grade level. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7 grade level. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. In addition to meeting the time-in-grade requirement, applicants must also meet the following: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position you must meet one of the following and you may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Grade Level Requirement (GS-07 Developmental): Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: evaluating environmental data; applies working knowledge and general understanding of environmental laws and regulations assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements; collecting and evaluating environmental data compliance using appropriate analytical methods and techniques; assisting with hazardous waste and residual shipping; conducting briefings and writing reports and letters. ~OR~ Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the total experience requirements of the position. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the qualifying curriculum detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Class Standing: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must meet one of the following: Grade Level Requirement (GS-09 Developmental): Specialized Experience: Specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: utilizing database systems and other electronic media to enter, revise, track and store environmental data and statistics; applies knowledge of standards, regulatory requirements, and pertinent statutes sufficient to provide support in conducting compliance assessments and providing routine technical assistance to more experienced specialists/staff and managers in conducting environmental studies and analysis. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. ~OR~ Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess the equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the total requirements of the position. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsCompliance InspectionPlanning and EvaluatingTechnical Competence 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; religions; 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 volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: The work involves walking, standing, bending, hand dexterity, climbing, carrying of items, and driving of government motor vehicles. During audits and inspections, there is regular exposure to all the hazards and discomforts to which workers in the areas are subjected This may include toxic chemicals, biohazards, physical stressors, and safety hazards. 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/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. 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. Review our 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.