Biological Scientist (Environmental)

Summary

The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval.

Duties

GS-0401-07 (Biological Scientist/Environmental) - GS-0819-07 (Environmental Engineer) - Uses prescribed methods to perform specific, and limited work assignments that are normally minor phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade environmental professional. - Performs assignments meant to familiarize incumbent with execution of typically assigned projects, in-house and by contract, and with all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and policies. - Assists with the coordination of curricula and training for assigned program areas on the installation. - Assists in providing advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas. - Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment. GS-0401-09 (Biological Scientist/Environmental) - GS-0819-09 (Environmental Engineer) - Performs work assignments that are moderately difficult and complex including phases of a broader assignment of a higher-grade Environmental Professional. - Responsible for executing moderately difficult assigned projects, in-house and by contract, to comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and policies. - Assists with the coordination of curricula and training for assigned program areas on the installation. - Provides advisory services on questions, issues, and projects in assigned program areas. - Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures, and performs work that enhances the safety of the work environment. Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-07 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems. OR EDUCATION: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement GS-09 - SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. OR EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 0401-07 (Biological Scientist/Environmental) - 0819-07 (Environmental Engineer) Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform basic project development, execution, training, and minor advisory services in assigned projects. Knowledge to grasp troubleshooting techniques and methods to identify and solve routine environmental problems requiring straight foward investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). Ability to search technical reports, manufacturers' catalogs, and other guidelines and publications to obtain information. Ability to use relevant software programs and use data bases to gather information and prepare reports and communicate critical information. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in the accomplishment of environmental projects. 0401-09 (Biological Scientist/Environmental) - 0819-09 (Environmental Engineer) Knowledge of professional environmental principles, practices, techniques, and procedures to effectively perform moderately difficult project development, execution, training, and routine advisory services in assigned projects. Knowledge to troubleshoot routine environmental problems requiring investigation of unsanitary or questionable conditions in assigned projects or program(s). Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, integration principles and practices, and other guidance to make recommendations concerning assigned restoration, compliance, conservation, pollution prevention, and/or integration principles and practices; and health, safety, and security practices. Ability to use relevant software programs and use data bases to gather information and prepare reports and communicate critical information. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in the accomplishment of environmental projects and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that 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 has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html Please submit copies of all Transcripts to include Transferred hours - Official copies are not required at time of application. If selected, you will be required to provide official copies of all Transcripts. NOTEDegree Audits are not accepted. If you qualify based on undergraduate education and you have not graduated prior to applying to this position. You may be offered a position contingent upon your final grade point average or class ranking. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to https://airforceciviliancareers.hirevue.com/signup/JHKjDpf5LXwh5aTSfppL9E/ Once there, select the "Apply Now" button. You will be directed to Hire Vue to begin your application. Applicants will be evaluated based on the materials and assessments required for the position. This may include: Responses to the Hire Vue interview Hire Vue assessments Review of transcripts and supporting documents Resume review If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories based on your application. These categories are Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Your qualifications will be evaluated on competencies including, but not limited to: Communication Willingness to learn Problem Solving Planning and Prioritization Cognitive Ability Conscientiousness Other Information

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the Department of Defense for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; these positions may be professional or administrative occupations and are located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. *** The term "Current post-secondary student" means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program. *** The term "recent graduate" means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities please click here. Subsequently, FTR Bulletin 20-04 issued by GSA, provides further information regarding NDAA FY2020, Public Law 116-92, and the expansion of eligibility beyond "transferred" for WTA/RITA allowances. For additional information, please click here.