Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

About the role

This position is in Region 9, Water Division, Groundwater and Drinking Water Branch. About this organization: Region 9 This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

What you will do

• Evaluate and administer regulatory programs to ensure that the provision of drinking water meets federal standards.
• Provide training and technical engineering assistance to States, Tribes, and local agencies to support regulatory program implementation and the design, construction and operation of treatment facilities.
• Manage financial assistance agreements to States, Tribes and other agencies for program implementation and for the design and construction of water infrastructure.
• You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.
• One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

• #LI-Onsite You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.
• If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service.
• This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation.
• Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
• All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
• REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25.
• If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL).
• You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding.
• For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.
• If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Education

Life Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Environmental Engineer: You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test. Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.

Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications.

Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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 a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualification requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses (if applicable) to all assessments required for this position.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: *** If you are eligible for consideration, one or more subject matter experts will review the technical writing sample submitted with your application to assess the degree to which your answers match the competencies required for successful performance in this position.

Technical writing sample submission requirements: The technical writing sample should be between 2-10 pages, primarily authored by you, and should demonstrate technical analysis, data interpretation, recommendations, or scientific communication. Please submit only one writing sample. It should be free of confidential or proprietary information.

Acceptable examples include technical reports, scientific memoranda, research summaries, summaries of environmental data, regulatory technical documents, briefing documents, evaluation of a project proposal, request for information, correspondence to a project applicant or regulatory partner regarding a specific issue or project.

The writing sample will be evaluated based on the quality of communication rather than the specific scientific discipline.

If you pass the first assessment, one or more subject matter experts will systematically review your resume to assess the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for successful performance in this position (see the Qualifications section for a list of the critical competencies being evaluated).

Based on the assessment ratings, a score will be calculated to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates. NOTE: Cheating (including the use of a consultant or an AI tool to assist you) on any assessment may result in your removal from consideration for this job.

If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments by the selecting official (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.). NOTE: Veterans' preference does not apply to merit promotion procedures.

However, veterans' preference is a consideration for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) and Schedule A disability appointment.

If you are eligible to be considered for one of these non-competitive appointments, in order to be eligible for veterans' preference you must claim preference in your USAJOBS account; you must also submit proof of eligibility for veterans' preference as indicated in the Required Documents section.

Documents you must provide

• ALL APPLICANTS Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties and Qualifications sections--include specific dates (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY) so we can determine that you have the required amount of experience (if applicable).
• Your experience description needs to be clear/specific (we may not make assumptions regarding your experience).
• Include a list of awards you've received if you'd like them to be considered.
• Resume must not exceed 2 pages.
• If you do not submit a resume that is 2 pages or less, you will be ineligible for further consideration.
• See How to Apply section for more information.
• College transcripts - unofficial or official transcripts or list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter/semester hours earned.
• NOTE: Official transcripts aren't required at the time of application; however, if you're selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work.
• IF EDUCATION WAS COMPLETED AT A FOREIGN INSTITUTION: You must submit an equivalency evaluation with your application as described here: Accreditation Technical writing sample between 2 and 10 pages that was primarily authored by you and demonstrates your ability to communicate scientific or technical information.
• (See How You Will Be Evaluated section for additional information) CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Notification(s) of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes Position Title, Grade or Level, and Duty Station and proves the following: ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY - SF-50(s) must prove you meet the criteria in the Clarification from the agency section.
• The most common eligibility requirements are Competitive Status (proof is reflected in blocks 24/Tenure and 34/Position Occupied on the SF-50) and In the Commuting Area (proof is reflected in block 39/Duty Station on the SF-50).
• TIME-IN-GRADE - If you are applying for a higher grade, SF-50(s) must prove you have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade (next lower grade is identified in the Qualifications section); acceptable SF-50s are two SF-50s at the next lower grade dated at least a year apart OR a within-grade increase at the next lower grade (if you have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade but have not yet received an additional SF-50 since you entered the grade, submit your appointment/initial SF-50 and an explanation).
• If you are not applying for a higher grade, SF-50 must prove you have been at the grade to which you are applying (or a higher grade).
• CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Most recent completed annual performance appraisal dated within the last 18 months (if it isn't dated within the last 18 months or you haven't received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why).
• Your submitted performance appraisal must show the overall rating and supervisor's signature that certifies the rating at the time it was given.
• DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE Most recent performance appraisal Proof of eligibility Most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station VETERANS DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (%), if applicable SF-15 (use current SF-15), if applicable NOTE: See page 2 of the SF-15 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214/VA letter.
• Active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces (Statement of Service) documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (certification is any written document from the armed forces certifying you're expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification).
• APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR NONCOMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE A (for people with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities) - Provide documentation from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a US territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
• Documentation must be on letterhead, include a signature, and state you're eligible for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, 5 CFR 213.3102(u).
• For more information: Schedule A and Sample Letters OTHER - Provide documentation that supports your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment (see Special Appointing Authority Documentation).
• Learn more about noncompetitive appointments: Special Appointment

Benefits

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally.

Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis. NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

What to expect next

You can track the progress of your application via your USAJOBS account by clicking the Track This Application link.

Through your USAJOBS account, you will be notified of the status of your application at four touch-points (some of these notifications may be combined): (1) when your application is received; (2) when we conduct an eligibility and qualification review of your application package; (3) when applications are referred (or not) to the hiring manager; (4) when a selection is made (or not) for the position or the job is canceled.

It is your responsibility to check your USAJOBS account for this application status information. In addition, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.

NOTE: We may verify all information you provide in your application package through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

Additional information

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section. Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee?

If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section).

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility. This position is not in the bargaining unit.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy.

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.

The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website.

Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you.

If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office.

If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at ***. If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you.

Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.