Agriculture, Rural Development

Summary This position is located in the USDA, Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Office of the Assistant Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), Environmental and Historic Preservation Division. The primary function of this staff is to provide professional assistance and technical expertise in the areas of the environmental and ecological sciences and environmental impact analyses for all RUS program actions. Duties At the discretion of the Director, the incumbent is assigned and takes responsibility for those projects of unusual complexity and of extraordinary environmental sensitivity. Prepares or reviews and analyzes proposal specific environmental impact analyses and documentation prepared and submitted by agency applicants and borrowers or their consultants for proposals. Provides expert advice and assistance for all program and proposal related impact analyses; planning, coordinating, and facilitating interagency or public meetings. Consults with a variety of regulatory or resource agency and tribal officials or the public and with a high degree of skill resolves or negotiates outstanding issues of a complex or sensitive ecological or political nature. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to Next Steps section for more information. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below Time in Grade : Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience evaluating environmental programs for compliance with federal and state requirements; developing Natural Resource Management Inventories and monitoring the implementation of these policies. Keeping informed of litigations involving the National Environmental Policy Act to assure programs and procedures are consistent and legal. Conducting environmental audits and management surveys; provide guidance and training on interpretation and administration of environmental requirements and policies. Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. This is a Bargaining Unit position under AFSCME District Council 20 (Local 3870) Bargaining Unit 9311and is therefore eligible for labor organization representation. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Agriculture, Rural Development