Summary

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his or her expertise as a Environment Protection Specialist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Location: Austin, TX

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following:

Program management involves overseeing the development and finalization of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, either by assigning tasks or engaging private organizations or the Reclamation Technical Service Center (TSC) through contracts.
Extracts the appropriate information to assemble and document compliance with NEPA and other applicable regulations so that such use authorizations and grants can be properly executed.
Ability to express ideas and findings clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing in order to develop and maintain clear and concise analysis documentation for complex projects; interact professionally with diverse public and private groups.
Prepares specialized technical reports and provides technical assistance to government or contractor personnel in developing reports and permits while leading program teams and participating on planning, study, and review teams.
Conducts reviews of operating Reclamation projects and programs, works with professionals and specialists responsible for Reclamation program activities.
Responsible for implementing and conducting a diverse program of land resources management, including administration of recreation and other resource management agreements.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Direct Deposit participation required.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probation or 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.

This probation or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probation/trial your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/06/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level:
Specialized Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: performing duties associated with planning, developing, executing, and reviewing environmental policies and procedures related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); assess and identify barriers to project development; preparing, arranging, or reviewing documents required for NEPA compliance, such as environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, biological assessments, and categorical exclusions; recommending corrective or mitigation actions for compliance; synthesizing complex environmental information from diverse sources for inclusion in documents understandable to the public; serving as a senior advisor to management on requirements of environmental compliance and planning. You must include hours per week worked.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.

All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.

Physical Demands/Work Environment: The job does require intermittent physical exertion such as walking over rough or rocky terrain while data gathering during field examinations. Occasionally some exposure to moderate discomfort such as extremes of heat or cold and inclement weather is encountered on field trip. Safety equipment such as hard hates and safety boots may be required.

Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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