Program Specialist

Summary This position is in Region 9, Office of the Regional Administrator. About Region 9: Region 9 This is an office-centered position*--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section. Responsibilities You will: Serve as a confidential special analyst to the Regional Administrator. Provides sound advice and recommendations to the Regional Administrator with regard to the most sensitive and confidential issues, as well as issues of a novel, unprecedented, and controversial nature using program and regional expertise to promote plans and programs of personal concern to the Regional Senior leadership and the Agency. Coordinate with Region 9 and Agency executive leadership on the Regional Administrator’s program administration plans. Directs and oversees special projects or studies of cross-regional, cross-agency, or national significance which are novel, unprecedented, confidential, and/or highly complex in nature; assumes leaderships and provides direction with minimal oversight by the Regional Administrator. Establish liaisons with other agencies and organizations with environmental program interests and issues. Serves as point of contact for direct interactions between Region 9’s Regional Administrator’s Office, Headquarters, and senior managers from other Agency offices, Federal Agencies, state and local governments and various public and private organizations nationwide and internationally to gather and analyze information about agency processes and programs. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. You must be a U.S. citizen. This is a temporary position (see Other Information on assignment limits). 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. #LI-Onsite If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service. This position is designated as High 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. You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must have 1 year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level defined as experience gathering, analyzing and synthesizing information from various sources into presentations, analytic reports, official correspondence (internal and/or external stakeholders), talking points and other communications for the use of senior leadership. Experience in providing strategic planning, outreach, and coordination of cross-program activities related to environmental programs. Working in the mission, roles, functions, organizational structures, management, and operation of complex environmental organizations to provide high level staff guidance and to participate in the development of plans, policies, goals, and objectives. Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: Ability to to make decisions or recommendations significantly changing, interpreting, or expanding agency/national policies or programs. Knowledge of the application of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or complex management processes and systems. Ability to research, interpret, and apply environmental policies and regulations. Ability to negotiate effectively with management to gain acceptance of recommendations where proposals involve substantial agency resources. Ability to use consensus-building strategies to facilitate decision making and consolidate positions. Ability to advise staff regarding policies, procedures, and directives of higher level management or headquarters. Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. Skill in communication. Ability to use consensus-building strategies to facilitate decision making and consolidate positions. 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. *If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Education Additional Information Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section). Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities. This position is not in the bargaining unit. If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility. Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section. If you are selected, your appointment may be extended beyond the initial not-to-exceed date to a maximum of two years.