NHS Human Services, Inc.

Summary The Department of Transportation is seeking Environmental Protection Specialists. You will serve as the technical expert concerning environmental programs, activities, and analyses. Responsibilities As an Environmental Protection Specialist, you will: Provide advice and expertise to DOT staff and leadership on climate change mitigation, , adaptation and environmental policy. Independently review environmental, climate, and transportation statutes, legislative and regulatory proposals, and executive orders related to the BIL. Serve as a technical subject matter expert on policy, laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and directives related to NEPA and OA’s project development processes, with a particular focus on projects funded under the BIL Advise stakeholders and Federal and State partner agencies on Federal responsibilities and the requirements of NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and Operating Administration’s regulations, policies, and guidance. Lead and/or advise stakeholders and partner agencies on integrating complex environmental and transportation planning processes and on other approaches to improve the linkages between planning and human and natural environmental issues. Ensure environmental laws are addressed and integrated into the NEPA decision-making process. Ensure the appropriate NEPA classification of a project, i.e., Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Participates in project-readiness and climate reviews of applications for new BIL grant programs, and reviews notice of funding opportunities to ensure adequate terms addressing climate change. Provide leadership and guidance on best practices for planning Elective Vehicle (EV) networking nationally to support the Department’s initiatives to connect communities, towns, businesses, planning agencies and partners on infrastructure projects. Serve as technical advisor on how to reduce carbon through policy directly related to EV and current fuel emissions. Review, manage, and make recommendations on the EV charging proposals for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula and Grant Programs. Build relationships and support programs and public-private partnerships to increase the speed of transitioning to EVs and deploying the supporting infrastructure. Draft key documents summarizing program strategy and accomplishments, technoeconomic analysis to inform EV activities and initiatives. Support and direct the modeling and analysis of vehicle charging infrastructure and electric grid integration. Communicate with researchers to address questions and issues that arise. Support the scoping of key demonstration and proof of concept for EV charging projects. Develop policy and conduct research and analysis on environmental issues in transportation relevant to climate change and related to the BIL. Encourage modal administrations to adopt innovative environmental, climate change, and sustainability partnerships. Support Departmental efforts to ensure consistency with existing environmental laws and regulations while exploring innovative new strategies for transportation project development and delivery in the BIL to address climate change. The Ideal candidate is a seasoned, motivated, and self-reliant professional who can share their expertise in implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or the assessment of environmental policy laws, regulations, decisions and/or proposed legislation on climate change programs/projects and preparing and presenting analytical reports to decision makers. PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (3 month) vacancy announcement. Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications on an as needed basis. Duty locations will vary. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule/ Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. POSITION SENSITIVITY AND RISK: Varies by position and will be based on the position to which appointed. SECURITY CLEARANCE: Varies by position. If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. DRUG TESTING: Varies by position. Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions will be required to complete testing prior to appointment or placement. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: Travel will vary by position. If the position requires travel, a government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: GS-13 and GS-14 hires may be required to submit an Annual Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Varies by position and is determined by the hiring agency. If selected, a one-year or two-year probationary period may be required. FOR DIRECT HIRE CANDIDATES: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). FOR GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Emailed applications will not be accepted, you must apply online. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience in applying methods, concepts, principles, and practices to perform research, studies, or analysis to inform environmental documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act or other related laws, regulations, or policy. Experience working both independently and as a team member using environmental analyses to identify and mitigate the potential impacts of transportation or other projects. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11, it must include: Experience assisting in the preparation of environmental documents required by the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws, regulations or policy (e.g., Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Categorical Exclusions (CATEXs), Records of Decision (ROD), and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)), and experience assisting with environmental analysis for transportation or infrastructure projects. Experience in oral and written communication presenting results of scientific research, calculations, studies, analysis, test results or recommendations through briefing papers, technical papers, reports, or presentations. To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience preparing and reviewing National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106-related documents in order to achieve compliance with requirements related to historic preservation and cultural resources, for example, National Register of Historic Places eligibility determinations, cultural resources reports, Memoranda of Agreement, Programmatic Agreements, and/or cultural resources sections of NEPA documents. Experience preparing and reviewing environmental documents for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws, regulations or policy, including experience planning, analyzing impacts, coordinating and executing major components of environmental studies. To qualify for the GS-14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience preparing environmental documentation (e.g., Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and Record of Decision) for transportation infrastructure projects in compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental regulations and orders (e.g. National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Environmental Justice, etc.). Experience planning, leading, and managing multiple full life-cycle projects. Experience in the assessment of policy, laws, regulations, decisions and/or proposed legislation related to climate change (e.g., climate mitigation, greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation, climate resilience, transit, pedestrians, bicycles, electric vehicles, renewable energy, sustainability, embodied carbon, etc.) AND preparing and presenting analytical reports to decision makers. 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: Knowledge of transportation systems and established transportation planning techniques in order to conduct studies and address the relationships between transportation, community development, and economic development. Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement outreach events, workshops, conferences, and other stakeholder outreach activities and studies in support of local/regional planning efforts. Ability to identify, analyze, develop, and evaluate techniques and strategies for improving transportation project delivery, planning, and decision-making. Ability to manage projects and/or segments of projects including the planning, scheduling, quality assurance, monitoring progress, and communicating with project manager to effectively resolve problems that arise. Ability to communicate effectively orally as well as written format to include delivering presentations and developing communication products. 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Current Volpe employees with duty stations other than Cambridge, MA may apply for this position and may remain in their current duty station, if selected. Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay of the specific area. Salaries for areas are available on the OPM website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule REMOTE WORK: This position may be eligible for Remote Work. Remote work is an arrangement in which an employee works at an alternative worksite (e.g., from home) and is not expected to report to the office to work. Remote work location will be determined upon/after selection and may affect locality pay. If selected as a remote work position, must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency standards from the approved work location within the Contiguous United State and sign a remote work agreement. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule/ TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. If approved for occasional telework, you will be required to report to the office on a regular basis. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials. This announcement may be used to fill additional Merit Promotion positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. This vacancy may be used by any DOT agency to fill similar positions within 90 days. U.S. DOT is committed to fostering an all-inclusive diverse workforce where employees feel valued for their unique backgrounds and qualities and have a sense of belonging and engagement in helping to advance transportation for the public good. Current Volpe employees with duty stations other than Cambridge, MA may apply for this position and may remain in their current duty station, if selected. Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay of the specific area. Salaries for areas are available on the OPM website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule