Ocean Career: BSEE Physical Scientist

Oil Spill Response Plan Technical Reviewer

At the full performance level (GS-13), the major duties of this position will include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides guidance, expert advice, training, and instruction to staff of the Branch on technical review and evaluation of oil spill response plans (OSRPs), plan holder training and exercises, unannounced exercises, oil spill response equipment and associated maintenance, training and use records; and ensures all activities are in accordance with national policy.
• Conducts technical review and evaluation of OSRPs, conducts and evaluates exercises; inspects and evaluates oil spill response equipment and associated maintenance, training and use records; and engages in other oil spill program activities. Administers enforcement processes or refers cases for civil penalty review as appropriate.
• Leads, assists, or instructs others in the development and execution of government initiated unannounced oil spill exercises; may conduct exercises and/or serve as an evaluator.
• Prepares and reviews a broad range of complex correspondence to answer or solicit information from lessees, operators, oil spill removal organizations, Federal and state agencies, and the general public.
• Serves as the lead BSEE representative on Regional Response Teams (RRT), Area Committees, and incident specific RRT calls, providing support, advice and expertise to the National Response System on matters pertinent to oil spill planning, preparedness, and response.
• Attends meetings and conferences with BSEE personnel;
  Federal, state, and industry representatives; and the general public concerning the implementation of relevant regulations, policies, and requirements of the OSRP review and approval process.
• During actual spills, the incumbent deploys to incident command posts and serves in designated positions within the Incident Command Structure. Assesses engineering, technical and scientific needs during a spill response and helps coordinate agency support to the Incident Command.

In addition to routine in-office work, which is primarily sedentary, this position requires 30-40 days of field work performed each year. Field work involves conducting equipment inspections, unannounced exercises, auditing operator-led training and exercises, sometimes offshore on vessels, and requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to frequent inspections and surveys. This physical exertion includes considerable standing, walking, climbing, bending, crouching, stretching, reaching or similar movements.

All field activities require some degree of agility and dexterity, for example traversing uneven surfaces, climbing stairs and ladders, being on offshore vessels while underway. Offshore deployments may involve extended travel on vessels over water, vessel-to-vessel transfers, and the infrequent need to climb into/out of emergency evacuation devices. Spill response equipment inspections in warehouse environments may involve overhead operations, movement of heavy machinery, and other activities that require the incumbent to look in all directions and be continuously and clearly aware of surroundings.

Field work may be performed in adverse conditions such as weather, temperature extremes (above 90° F Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) or below 0°

F), high noise levels, areas with marine and other wildlife and higher accident potential when offshore or in outdoor equipment yards and warehouse environments. The use of protective equipment (hardhats, safety glasses, safety- toe shoes, hearing protection, selected uniforms) is required. The ability to travel by auto, plane, helicopter, or boat is required.