What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Protection Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee position at VA Boston Healthcare System?
This position is located in the Occupational Safety and Heath Service at the VAMC in Jamaica Plain, MA. The employee serves as a participant in the Technical Career Fields Program under the direction of a qualified preceptor. The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: utilizing database systems and other electronic media to enter, revise, track and store environmental data and statistics; applies knowledge of standards, regulatory requirements, and pertinent statutes sufficient to provide support in conducting compliance assessments and providing routine technical assistance to more experienced specialists/staff and managers in conducting environmental studies and analysis.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.
~OR~
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess the equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work may require some physical effort (e.g., walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle).
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor.
As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program.
Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.
Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA.
This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.
At the GS-9 grade level, this is a 1-year long program, the employee functions in a developmental capacity with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
(1) The trainee applies working knowledge and a general understanding of environmental laws and regulation to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulation (e.g., for air emissions, wastewater discharge, solid and hazardous waste, fuel and oil storage, and spill prevention, among other areas)
(2) The trainee collects and evaluates environmental data and compliance using appropriate analytical methods and techniques
(3) The trainee recommends necessary changes, control measures, best practices, etc.
(4) The trainee assists with hazardous waste and residual shipping
(5) The trainee prepares and conducts briefings and writes reports and letters.
(6) The trainee supports environmental sustainability initiatives
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Qualifications:
TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL, YOU MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: utilizing database systems and other electronic media to enter, revise, track and store environmental data and statistics; applies knowledge of standards, regulatory requirements, and pertinent statutes sufficient to provide support in conducting compliance assessments and providing routine technical assistance to more experienced specialists/staff and managers in conducting environmental studies and analysis.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.
~OR~
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess the equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
- Attention to Detail
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work may require some physical effort (e.g., walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle).
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Responsibilities:
TCF is a national workforce development program within VHA designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical areas where VA-specific knowledge and experience are essential for success. Selectees will follow a structured two-year individual development plan and will receive training and mentorship from a subject matter expert (preceptor). Trainees must remain at the hiring grade for a minimum of one year. Selectees will also be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor.
As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program.
Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.
Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA.
This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.
At the GS-9 grade level, this is a 1-year long program, the employee functions in a developmental capacity with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
(1) The trainee applies working knowledge and a general understanding of environmental laws and regulation to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulation (e.g., for air emissions, wastewater discharge, solid and hazardous waste, fuel and oil storage, and spill prevention, among other areas)
(2) The trainee collects and evaluates environmental data and compliance using appropriate analytical methods and techniques
(3) The trainee recommends necessary changes, control measures, best practices, etc.
(4) The trainee assists with hazardous waste and residual shipping
(5) The trainee prepares and conducts briefings and writes reports and letters.
(6) The trainee supports environmental sustainability initiatives
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Salary : $69,905