Environmental Protection Specialist

This position serves as a State Environmental Review Coordinator (SERC), advising, analyzing, and managing a wide range of issues to support RD's environmental policies, procedures, and review responsibilities. This announcement is for 32 positions, each to serve in one of USDA Rural Development's 47 state offices or other field offices nationwide.Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
For GS-11 Grade Level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates experience with environmental review documentation and approval process. Experience assisting applicants with federal, state, local natural resource, environmental regulatory agencies, tribes and/or the public during project planning & decision making. Experience maintaining and supporting the collection of relevant environmental and historic property information associated with specific projects on automated systems and/or applications.OR PhD or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M, if relatedOR a combination of education as described and specialized experience.
For GS-12 Grade Level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates experience assuring compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and/or other applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders. Experience conducting consultation with federally recognized Tribes and State Historic Preservation Officers under 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to determine the effect on listed species under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Experience coordinating with staff and/or applicants during early project planning and design activities to ensure the effective integration of environmental considerations in applicant proposals as required by various federal and state statutes and regulations. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level.
NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-0028 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards
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: For GS-11 Grade Level: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
For GS-12 Grade Level: There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level.Employment Type: FULL_TIME