Environmental Protection Specialist

Environmental Protection Specialist performs practical duties associated with air quality, storm water, hazardous materials programs, and sustainability programs. The specialist supports further development and implementation of VA's Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) within the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) They provide consultative support in the implementation of environmental sustainability programs and performs environmental reviews for construction projects.

The environmental protection specialist is responsible for the implementation of environmental policies and regulatory program activities. Assignments also include responsibility for the technical adequacy of plans, designs, and specifications concerning environmental activities within a facility. Duties include but are not limited to: Administers environmental programs to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulation for air emissions, wastewater discharge, solid and hazardous waste, fuel and oil storage, and spill prevention, among other areas. Manages hazardous waste programs at VAPAHCS facilities including collection, segregation, manifesting, recordkeeping, contract management. Leads environmental audits and incident investigations, conducts root cause analysis, develops corrective actions, and tracks incidents to closure. Interacts with federal, state, and local environmental agencies with respect to facility environmental issues. Support the GEMS managers in other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist/PD00378O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work may require some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, or recurring and considerable walking, stooping, bending, crouching, and climbing. These may be performed during regular, periodic construction activities, filed inspections, or to observe and study work operations in an industrial, storage, or comparable work area. Work may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 50 pounds, such as equipment and samples. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.