Summary The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders. Responsibilities This position is located in the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC), at the regional office level in Denver, CO. This position supports the Denver and Albuquerque Regional Offices. The OEPC oversees the Department of the Interior's compliance with environmental statutes and handles cross-cutting environmental matters, such as environmental justice, sustainability, environmental compliance, legacy pollution abatement, NEPA and CERCLA implementation, FAST-41 major renewable energy infrastructure, oil and hazardous spill response, and disaster response and recovery. The OEPC also provides environmental and policy advice to the Assistant Secretary, Policy Management and Budget and other members of the Secretariat. At the full performance level GS-13 the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: 1. Serves as principal technical consultant on NEPA matters with responsibility for supporting and engaging in the implementation of environmental protection policies and programs. 2. Applies an advanced level of professional competence and scientific and technical knowledge in reviewing environmental compliance and assessment documents. 3. Coordinates the Department's regional participation in emergency and remedial response actions conducted pursuant to CERCLA, Oil Pollution Act (OPA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and the National Contingency Plan (NCP), and other relevant statutes and regulations including providing advice and assistance to Federal, State, Indian tribes, foreign governments, and/or local officials regarding these activities. 4. Evaluates natural disaster and emergency programs/projects within the region to determine the impact on the environment and recommended program/project changes to ensure that environmental objectives are achieved. 5. Serves as technical advisor, authority, and expert in the area of Environmental Compliance, with responsibility for providing implementing policy guidance, consultative assistance, and staff coordination of Departmental responsibilities at the regional level pursuant to the National Response Framework for Emergency Support Function (ESF) for Oil and Hazardous Materials (ESF #10) and Natural, Cultural Resources, and Historic Properties (ESF #11). 6. Prepares responses to inquiries from the public, the Department's components, or other governmental organizations with respect to regional environmental matters. Reviews and provides input into regional plans, manuals, and guidance documents. 7. Performs other duties as assigned. The incumbent is deemed Emergency Essential; and may be required to carry and monitor communications equipment and be on duty 24/7 for implementing regional and national response plans. The incumbent must be prepared to visit sites involving physical and chemical hazards in emergencies. Infrequent weekend work may be required to support a response to a spill or disaster. Salary Range Information: GS-12: $96,684- $125,685 per annum GS-13: $114,970- $149,465 per annum First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. OS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/. Qualifications Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying. Specialized Experience: GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) using environmental laws, regulations, policies and procedures to review and evaluate complex and sensitive issues and proposals, including those related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), incident preparedness or response, or cleanup of hazardous waste sites; 2) reviewing, as well as coordinating the review/commenting of, documents by others in your organization (e.g. NEPA, spill response and/or disaster response); and, 3) managing environmental programs and projects which includes resolving technical problems, planning objectives for assigned programs, establishing schedules, and providing direction to ensure environmental compliance. *Applicants must meet all specialized experience requirements. GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1) using environmental laws, regulations, policies and procedures to review and evaluate complex and sensitive issues and proposals, including those related to at least two of the following: the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), incident preparedness or response, or cleanup of hazardous waste sites; 2) reviewing and providing input to environmental regulations, standards, policies, plans and operating guidance; and, 3) simultaneously managing multiple environmental programs which includes resolving technical problems, planning objectives for assigned programs, establishing schedules, and providing direction to ensure environmental compliance. *Applicants must meet all specialized experience requirements. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Education Additional Information Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process. NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.