Environmental Protection Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee

This position is located in the Occupational Safety and Heath Service at the VAMC in Jamaica Plain, MA. The employee serves as a participant in the Technical Career Fields Program under the direction of a qualified preceptor. The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

**Qualifications:**
TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL, YOU MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: utilizing database systems and other electronic media to enter, revise, track and store environmental data and statistics; applies knowledge of standards, regulatory requirements, and pertinent statutes sufficient to provide support in conducting compliance assessments and providing routine technical assistance to more experienced specialists/staff and managers in conducting environmental studies and analysis. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess the equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work may require some physical effort (e.g., walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle). For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.