Physical Scientist (Environmental)

Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), in Technical Services (EPS), within Pollution, Prevention and Abatement (EP), Environment, Fish and Wildlife (E). A successful candidate in the Physical Scientist (Environmental) position will provide scientific and technical expertise for Program Implementation, Regional Services or Technical Services for pollution prevention and abatement programs, projects, and natural resource protection/management issues.

Duties

As a Physical Scientist (Environmental), you will: Collect and evaluate environmental samples (including soil, groundwater, surface water, and concrete) across active utility projects, transforming raw scientific data into actionable environmental assessments. Serve as the lead technical authority overseeing investigations and site remediations across BPA facilities. Coordinate emergency on-scene responses, guide spill-containment and cleanup efforts, notify regulatory authorities, and ensure complete environmental restoration. Provide scientific counsel and technical guidance to engineering teams, regional managers, and leadership. Ensure regional transmission operations adhere to major environmental statutes (such as the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA/Superfund, and RCRA). Track and analyze evolving federal, state, and local environmental rules across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for external environmental consulting, testing, and remediation contracts. Requirements

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration. When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully. Key Requirements: You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements. You will be required to report in person to the official duty location. Conditions of Employment: This position requires a valid driver's license as a condition of employment. Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license in order to operate leased, private or government-owned motor vehicles, which are required to carry out assigned duties. After employment, this position may be subject to periodic physical examinations, as prescribed by competent medical authority and at BPA expense, if exposed to health hazards. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check. Moderate physical lifting as well as other is also required. The work involves lifting and positioning generators weighing up to 50 lbs. Frequent overnight travel (11 or more days of overnight travel per month for field work). The work is performed in a variety of weather conditions. Work is performed in the office and field. Fieldwork requires moderate physical exertion hiking through BPA rights of way, which includes very steep and uneven terrain. Exposure to hazardous substances and various types of contamination may occur. Protective clothing and respiratory equipment are required when appropriate. Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations. Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: 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- Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-11: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience; 1) Assisting with scientific field sampling and monitoring programs as part of a pollution prevention and abatement program; and 2) applying knowledge of Federal, State, or other environmental regulations to assist with at least one of the following; pollution prevention and abatement programs, natural resources protection and management issues, coordinating and developing environmental clearances (categorical exclusions, biological assessments, waste characterization, and/or disposal permits), or implementing environmental requirements in the field on construction/maintenance projects. Substitution of education for experience: GS-11: Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited). GS-12: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience; 1) Drafting designs and carrying out scientific field sampling and monitoring programs as part of a pollution prevention and abatement program; and 2) applying knowledge of Federal, State, or other environmental regulations to provide scientific and technical advice, and guidance to at least one of the following; pollution prevention and abatement programs, natural resources protection and management issues, coordinating and developing environmental clearances (categorical exclusions, biological assessments, waste characterization, and/or disposal permits), or implementing environmental requirements in the field on construction/maintenance projects. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation. If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process. Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications. Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be assessed and evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A). All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date ( 11/01/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13095291. USAHire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Other Information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: 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 reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/ Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations. BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment. We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.