Overview

  • Accepting applications

Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Environment, Fish and Wildlife (E), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

The purpose of this position is to serve as a technical expert and recognized authority on the laws, regulations and policies governing water quality protection, mitigation, and management.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a Clean Water Act Policy Advisor, you will:

  • Serve as the technical expert and recognized authority on the laws, regulations and policies governing water quality.
  • Provide strategic, cross-BPA analysis and expertise to the Administrator.
  • Ensure the coordinated cross-BPA development of appropriate biological and related analyses or reports.
  • Serve as BPA’s representative when working with the Corps and US Bureau of Reclamation to communicate, coordinate, and resolve Columbia River System water quality issues
  • Assist in negotiation and implementation of short and long-term agreements with states, tribes, other federal agencies, or other entities regarding water quality.
  • Represent BPA in conferences and meetings with other agencies, with national, state, tribal and local authorities, with private industry and with public groups.
  • Lead or participate as a technical expert in interagency and intra-agency committees and working groups for resolving critical problems.
  • Evaluate and make recommendations concerning overall plans and proposals for major BPA, DOE, and interagency projects.

Travel Required

Occasional travel – Occasional travel may be required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • See “Other Information” section regarding Selective Service requirements.

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don’t have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • If you are a current federal employee, appointed under the direct-hire authority, you will be given a new appointment.
  • You will be required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period unless you meet the exceptions in 5 CFR part 315.802.
  • A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
  • This position has been designated as requiring a PUBLIC TRUST background. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
  • Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.
  • This position requires a valid driver’s license as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

1. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

A qualified candidate’s resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in leading a project or team or serve as a technical expert (1) addressing water quality or Clean Water Act, and (2) developing and implementing appropriate biological analyses reporting compliance with water quality laws, regulations and policies.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-14 level.

Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies (KSACs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSACs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

  1. External Awareness: Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
  2. Influencing and Negotiating: Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
  3. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
  4. Speaking: Uses correct English grammar to organize and communicate ideas in words that are appropriate to listeners and situations; uses body language appropriately.
  5. Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one’s job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
  6. Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

“Experience” refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of “Ineligible”.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.