Environmental Protection Specialist; TCF Trainee

Summary

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. Environmental Protection Specialists play a central role in planning and administering environmental programs. The program addresses environmental impacts of human activities on air, land, water, and other media.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 07/06/2026. Applicants must satisfy time‑in‑grade requirements for current and former Federal employees for the GS‑7 and GS‑9 grades. Applicants may qualify based on specialized experience, education, or a combination thereof as described below:

• GS‑7 (Entry Level) – one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑5; or one year of graduate level education; or superior academic achievement (upper‑third class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0 or 3.5, or national honor society membership).
• GS‑9 (Developmental Level) – one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑7; or a master’s or equivalent graduate degree; or a combination of experience and education.

Competency areas include compliance, education and training, hazardous materials, stakeholder management, and technical credibility. Volunteer experience may be credited as qualifying experience.

• Participate in a two‑year training plan supervised by a preceptor.
• Sign Mobility‑Training‑and‑Continued Service Agreements.
• Perform environmental protection specialist assignments supporting VA Green Environmental Management System (GEMS).
• Apply environmental laws and regulations to assure compliance with air emissions, wastewater discharge, solid and hazardous waste, fuel and oil storage, and spill prevention.
• Collect and evaluate environmental data using appropriate analytical methods.
• Recommend control measures, best practices, and necessary changes.
• Assist with hazardous waste and residual shipping procedures.
• Prepare and conduct briefings, write reports, and letters.
• Support environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Assist with GEMS program administration, management, and internal reporting.
• Participate in environmental audits and incident investigations.
• Help develop corrective actions and track incidents to closure.
• Train employees and lower‑grade safety staff in specific program requirements.
• Prepare environmental plans, permits, and reports as required.
• Serve as an advisor to senior management on environmental program status and recommend design changes to meet new requirements.
• Interact with federal, state, and local environmental agencies regarding facility issues.
• Lead environmental audits, conduct site inspections, analyze results, and recommend corrective action.
• Train other employees and environmental staff on specialized topics.
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm PST. Telework is not eligible.