Environmental Protection Specialist - Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This Environmental Protection Specialist Trainee position is located in the Occupational Safety and Health Service at the Lexington, KY VA Medical Center. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

**Qualifications:**
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/13/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5 grade level. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7 grade level. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. In addition to meeting the time-in-grade requirement, applicants must also meet the following: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position you must meet one of the following and you may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: Grade Level Requirement (GS-07 Developmental): Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: evaluating environmental data; applies working knowledge and general understanding of environmental laws and regulations assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements; collecting and evaluating environmental data compliance using appropriate analytical methods and techniques; assisting with hazardous waste and residual shipping; conducting briefings and writing reports and letters. ~OR~ Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the total experience requirements of the position. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the qualifying curriculum detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Class Standing: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must meet one of the following: Grade Level Requirement (GS-09 Developmental): Specialized Experience: Specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. 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: 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. ~OR~ Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. ~OR~ Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess the equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the total requirements of the position. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Compliance Inspection Planning and Evaluating Technical Competence 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: The work involves walking, standing, bending, hand dexterity, climbing, carrying of items, and driving of government motor vehicles. During audits and inspections, there is regular exposure to all the hazards and discomforts to which workers in the areas are subjected This may include toxic chemicals, biohazards, physical stressors, and safety hazards.