Would you like a challenging, exciting and progressive career that utilizes your skills in a workplace that appreciates diversity?
The Enviromental Protection Agency can use special hiring authorities (Schedule A) when considering people with certain disabilities. Schedule A authority allows qualified candidates to submit a resume directly to EPA for current and future job openings. For a listing of currently available jobs with the EPA Region 9 office in San Francisco, CA, please visit: www.epa.gov/region9/careers/index.html. Candidates may also choose to apply for jobs through the competitive process instead of, or in addition to, the Schedule A process. This means Schedule A candidates can apply for Merit Promotion and Delegated Examining opportunities posted on the USAJOBS website: www.usajobs.com.
Proof of Disability and Certification of Job Readiness
Eligibility for appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) authority consists of two parts:
1. Proof of Disability: An individual may obtain proof of disability from licensed medical professionals, state or private vocational rehabilitation specialists, or any Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits. This documentation must be submitted at the time of application.
2. Certification of Job Readiness: An individual hired under Schedule A authority must be ready to perform the job for which he or she is being considered. This certification is a statement that the individual is likely to succeed in the performance of the duties of that position. This certification of job readiness may be obtained from the same people who provided the proof of disability. This documentation is submitted after an individual is tentatively selected for the position and must be submitted prior to a final job offer.
It may be helpful to contact a state vocational counselor who can help you prepare the necessary documents.
ABBREVIATED QUALIFICATION STANDARDS AND SALARIES FOR EPA REGION IX
MOST COMMONLY HIRED POSITIONS
Environmental Protection Specialist
SF hourly wage: $17.40/hr (GS-5) $21.55/hr (GS-7) $26.36/hr (GS-9)
Entry-level candidates are hired at the GS-5/7/9 levels. At the GS-5 level, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. To qualify at the GS-7 level, candidates must have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale). At the GS-9 level, candidates must have a master’s degree or one year of full time employment providing directly related experience. Degrees are typically in environmental studies, political science, public administration, public policy, urban planning or communication.
Environmental Engineer
SF hourly wage: $17.40/hr (GS-5) $21.55/hr (GS-7) $26.36/hr (GS-9)
Entry-level engineers are hired at the GS-5/7/9 levels. This position requires a degree in professional engineering or a combination of education and experience. This combination includes college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. To qualify at the GS-7 level, candidates must have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale). At the GS-9 level, candidates must have a master’s degree in engineering, or one year of full time employment providing directly related experience. Degrees are typically in civil, mechanical, environmental, or chemical engineering.
Environmental Scientist
SF hourly wage: $17.40/hr (GS-5) $21.55/hr (GS-7) $26.36/hr (GS-9)
Entry-level Environmental Scientists are hired at the GS-5/7/9 levels. This position requires successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included at least 24 semester units of physical sciences, or appropriate combination of education and experience. To qualify at the GS-7 level, candidates must have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale). At the GS-9 level, candidates must have a master’s degree in physical science, or one year of full time employment providing directly related experience. Degrees are typically in chemistry, physics, hydrology, meteorology, geology, or oceanography.
Life Scientist
SF hourly wage: $17.40/hr (GS-5) $21.55/hr (GS-7) $26.36/hr (GS-9)
Entry-level Life Scientists are hired at the GS-5/7/9 levels. This position requires successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences or an appropriate combination of education and experience. To qualify at the GS-7 level, candidates must have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale). At the GS-9 level, candidates must have a master’s degree in a biological science or one year of full time employment providing directly related experience. Degrees are typically in natural resource sciences, ecology, biology, zoology, toxicology, and botany.
Administrative Support Staff/Clerical Work
SF hourly wage: $15.55/hr (GS-4) $17.40/hr (GS-5) $19.39/hr (GS-6) $21.55/hr (GS-7)
At the GS-4 level, this position requires one year of general clerical experience or two years of education above the high school level. At the GS-5 level, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level or four years of education above high school is required. A GS-6 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level, and a GS-7 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level.
