Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Summary

This position is in Region 5, Water Division, State and Tribal Programs and Support Branch, STPSB Section 3. About Region 5: Region 5. This is an office-centered position–you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Duties

• At the highest advertised grade, you will: Provide Environmental Program Implementation and State and Tribal Program Administration and Oversight to state, local, or tribal governments for the development of environmental protection plans and programs.
• Provide programmatic support to local stakeholders for areas of environmental science or engineering and participate in the development of funding plans.
• Recommend investigations or studies for senior staff to support water quality assessments, focusing on environmental conditions.
• Apply basic analytical methods and techniques for analyzing environmental protection and management.
• If you are hired at a lower grade level, your duties will be less complex and you will have more supervisory oversight.
• You may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.
• Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
• You will spend more than 50% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.
• One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

#LI-Onsite You must be a U.S. citizen. If you are selected, the entire period served under the Recent Graduates program will be a trial period. If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed. This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date. REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs. If you are still completing coursework, offer of employment will be contingent upon completion of degree/certificate/program. Proof showing completion date by March 23, 2027 will be required before entry on duty. If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter. You may have limited exposure to hazardous materials. This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Education

In addition to the eligibility requirements for the Recent Graduates program, you must meet the following basic requirements in order to qualify for this position: Life Scientist: You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed. Environmental Engineer: You must have one of the following: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR Combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration as an engineer. Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test.

Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Please review the OPM page on specifics about required curriculum and for more information on qualifications, please visit GS-800: All Professional Engineering Positions qualifications. Physical Scientist: You must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.

Benefits

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA. If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement.

EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis. NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• ALL APPLICANTS Resume stating your expected graduation date and clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section–include specific dates (MM/DD/YY – MM/DD/YY) so we can determine that you have the required amount of experience (if applicable).
• In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific (we may not make assumptions regarding your experience).
• Resume must not exceed 2 pages.
• If you do not submit a resume that is 2 pages or less, you will be ineligible for further consideration.
• See How to Apply section for more information.
• College/educational institution transcripts – unofficial or official transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned.
• Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.
• IF EDUCATION WAS COMPLETED AT A FOREIGN INSTITUTION: You must submit an equivalency evaluation with your application as described here: Accreditation.
• Additional educational documentation – submit based on your current status: Recent graduates: submit documentation from the school showing date degree/certificate was conferred or date all degree/certificate/program requirements were met within the preceding two years.
• Current students who will complete a qualifying degree/certificate/program by March 23, 2027: submit proof of current enrollment.