Environmental Protection Specialist

Summary You will serve as an Environmental Protection Specialist for Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. Responsibilities Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: The position provides environmental compliance support to the Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks Planning and Compliance Branch. The position reports to the Restoration Science Branch of the South Florida Natural Resources Center, collaborates with other branch staff, and represents the branch on multiple project-specific interdisciplinary teams (IDTs). Reviews proposed actions (construction, leasing, land transactions, mission activities, etc.) and ensures that environmental effects are considered in planning and decision-making, that these considerations are documented, and that provisions are made for public involvement; complies with environmental reporting requirements; and analyzes and manages environmental information or information systems. Serves on an interdisciplinary team of scientific specialists and subject matter experts in the analysis and minimization of potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. Collects and analyzes field data and prepares statement of findings for projects that may impact floodplains and wetlands. Prepares and manages contracts for compliance-related work, and develops contract specifications, including scope of work and government cost estimates for projects. Recommends to the supervisor, obligation of funds based on evaluation of final work products. Researches and prepares Interagency Agreements and Memoranda of Understandding ensuring they meet NPS guidelin criteria and are coordinated, reviewed and approved by the appropriate staff. The position reviews or assists in the review of other related environmental documentation, including biological assessments, floodplains and wetlands statements of findings, federal and state environmental permitting applications, federal Findings of Non-Significant Impacts, Environmental Impact Statements, Ecological Assessments among others. Develops and maintains positive and effective working relationships (orally and in writing) with NPS staff, agencies, key stakeholders, and the public. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work. You may be required to occasionally travel overnight away from home. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. A financial disclosure report will be required within 30 days of appointment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest. This probationary 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 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 09/08/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: managing the production of environmental compliance documents and functions as a compliance coordinator leading or coordinating all aspects of the compliance process for the park to ensure adherence with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and other federal environmental laws; reviewing proposed actions and ensuring that environmental effects are considered in planning and decision making, that these considerations are documented, and where applicable, an opportunity is provided for public involvement; analyzing and managing environmental information and information systems; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with project managers and interdisciplinary team members in minimizing environmental impacts; and coordinating or consulting with various Federal resource and regulatory agencies and non-government entities regarding environmental issues. You must include hours per week worked. Volunteer Experience: 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 volunteer experience. Education This position does not allow substituting education for experience. Additional Information Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior. Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary in an office environment but may require limited physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. Operation of and travel within motor vehicles may be required. Working Conditions: The majority of the work is performed in an office setting with some travel to attend meetings, conferences and workshops, or for field inspections. The work can occasionally involve moderate risks, discomforts, and unpleasantness such as exposure to dust, hot and dry weather extremes; and flights in small aircraft, including helicopters. The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.