Job Summary
The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for an Environmental Protection Specialist (GEMS Coordinator). This position will function within our Engineering Service.
Major Duties
The Environmental Protection Specialist (GEMS Coordinator) is responsible for:
- Coordinating the efforts of VA Medical Center staff involved with the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) to ensure that the GEMS is developed and implemented in accordance with VHA and VA Medical Center policy and guidance.
- Responsible for ensuring that the GEMS results in findings and conclusions that lead to continual improvement of environmental programs at the VA Medical Center.
- Responsible for applying environmental science and technology to demonstrate relationships between the operation of the VA Medical Center with human health, ecosystems, environmental media and natural resources.
- Provides leadership and direction to management, professional and technical personnel regarding the development and implementation of the facility GEMS.
- Plans, organizes, implements, oversees and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems.
- Provides technical expertise for the design, modification, operation and maintenance of VA Medical Center facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Responsible for managing VAMC environmental program(s) and coordinating the efforts of VAMC organizations that relate to environmental matters.
- Develop and implement environmental policies, procedures and systems.
- Advise management on how environmental policies, procedures and systems will
- affect the operation of the VA Medical Center.
- Evaluate, modify and implement pollution prevention alternatives at the VA Medical Center to reduce the generation of waste.
- Manage and/or provide technical advice regarding response to environmental emergencies including releases/spills of hazardous material.
- Facilitate the exchange of environmental information to VA Medical Center staff, including the development and implementation of training and educational programs related to environmental programs.
- Develop and present to upper level VA Medical Center management budgetary information related to environmental programs.
- Manage computer programs and databases to enhance management of environmental programs.
- Review how expansion, modifications, closures of existing facilities and infrastructure and new construction of structures and infrastructure will affect the environment.
- Provide information that will minimize adverse impacts to human health and the environment and
- reduce the VA Medical Center's vulnerability.
- Measure the effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommend additions to environmental program as needed to meet changing environmental requirements.
- Develop promotional and educational activities to promote stakeholder awareness of VA Medical Center environmental issues.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist (GEMS Coordinator)/PD80507-O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements within 15 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement: Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/All Title 38 Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) employees must have served in their Excepted Service position for at least 90 days in order to be eligible for a position within the Competitive Service. Applicants who were previously selected under a Competitive Delegating Examining Unit (DEU) announcement must have served in their position for at least 90 days prior to being eligible for other positions within the Competitive Service. In addition to the qualification above you must also have: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ensures that hazardous property is received, handled, stored, inspected, documented, and manifested/disposed of in compliance with applicable environmental regulations and safety requirements. Inspects storage areas; provides technical guidance to personnel involved in the handling and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes (e.g., paints, varnishes, lacquers, solvents, fuels, and pesticides); and prepares required reports. Performs site inspections at hazardous waste disposal, transport, or storage facilities where the problems typically are easy to identify and conventional in nature. He/she evaluates work practices, determines compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and recommends changes to control or eliminate potential or existing hazards or violations. Evaluates the feasibility and probable effects of proposed regulations; develops position papers, issue papers, workgroup materials, and briefing papers for higher-level managers; develops preamble language for proposed and final rules; and assists in developing policy guidance to implement the various provisions of environmental standards. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the work of the position. (Transcripts must be submitted). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 32 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second-year graduate level education). This can be determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the required experience and education as a percentage of the total required. The total percentage must equal 100 percent. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Ability to conduct inspections, drills and trainings Communication (Oral and Written) Ability to interpret and apply Safety & Health Governing laws rules and regulations 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires the employee to carry a good deal of equipment and involves walking, standing, bending, climbing or crawling during surveys. Work Environment: During surveys, the employee is subjected to all the risks and discomforts associated with industrial activities of the agency.This exposure requires the use of protective clothing and equipment, including respirators, hardhats and ear protectors. May encounter exposure to hazardous materials including biological, chemical and radioactive agents.
Pay Range
$66,697.00 - $86,705.00