Environmental Protection Specialist

About the role

This position is in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (SHEM) section of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and serves as an Environmental Technician responsible for ensuring maintenance of and compliance with all Federal, State, Local, Departmental, and Agency environmental laws, regulations, and standards.

APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.

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.

GS-07 Level

Applicants must have one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates:
  • Experience in participating in program inspections and identifying corrective actions.
  • Comprehending and assisting with the implementation of policies and procedures including operating permits, federal, state, and municipal regulations.
  • Executing spill response plans or programs and responding to hazardous materials spills.
  • Working with satellite accumulation points and hazardous waste removal operations.
• One year of full-time graduate education in an accredited college or university.
• Superior Academic Achievement: Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and one of the following:
  • Class standing in the upper third of the graduating class.
  • Membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies).
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 (based on 4 years of education or final 2 years of curriculum).
  • GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0 in the major field (based on final 2 years of curriculum).

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

Transcript Requirements

Transcripts are required if:

• Qualifying for the position based on education.
• Qualifying for the position based on a combination of experience and education.
• Qualifying for the position based on Superior Academic Achievement.

This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

Combination of Education & Experience

Applicants may combine successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the GS-07 grade level.

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.

Responsibilities

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Works as part of a team to ensure NBAF compliance with environmental issues directly affecting regulatory compliance, the health and safety of personnel, and well-being of the surrounding community.
• Communicates to Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist on potential issues and concerns associated with ensuring and maintaining environmental compliance.
• Maintains and displays professional work ethic when developing, maintaining, and implementing programs for environmental compliance.
• Effectively communicates issues associated with environmental maintenance and compliance to NBAF personnel and other government agencies.
• Implements program action items in support of NBAF environmental management efforts detailed in Executive Order 13834.
• Utilizes databases, spreadsheets and organizational systems as needed to track workflow and project process.
• Provides training in areas of expertise to NBAF personnel or others as assigned.
• Assists NBAF staff in the reporting of environmental incidents in a timely manner according to ARS, APHIS or Departmental reporting requirements, whenever necessary.

Pay

Salary offered: $50,460 - $65,599 USD per year.

Schedule

Position start date: August 4, 2026. Position close date: August 10, 2026.