Summary
Incumbent serves as the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Program Manager for Robley Rex VA Medical Center (RRVAMC) Louisville, KY. This role is responsible for the overall GEMS Program at the facility, which includes one warehouse, one administrative building, and eight Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) located at Carrollton, Stonybrook, Fort Knox, Grayson County, New Albany (IN), Scottsburg (IN), Newburg, Greenwood, Mellwood warehouse, and Linn Station administrative building.
Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/23/2026. 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‑11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑9. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in federal service. An SF‑50 showing your time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one‑year time‑in‑grade, as required. In that case you must provide an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one‑year time‑in‑grade. Note: Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include—but are not limited—to:
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of program or administrative work relating to environmental protection.
Knowledge of one or more environmental sciences or related fields (e.g., biology, ecology, chemistry, hydrology, radiation physics, environmental law, real property functions, or statistics) sufficient to assess and correlate environmental data, verify results, and discuss technical aspects of work with scientists, engineers, and other environmental experts.
Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations.
Ability to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate environmental programs.
Knowledge of the policies, organization, operations, work practices, and environmental parameters of regulated industries.
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must meet one of the following education requirements:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate work leading to such a degree; or
LL.M. (if related to Environmental Protection).
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master’s degree.
You will be rated on the following competencies for this position: Administration and Management, Communications, Computer Skills, Project Management. Experience includes paid and unpaid work—such as volunteer work 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.
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. A full year of work is considered 35‑40 hours per week; part‑time experience is credited on the basis of actual time.
Physical Requirements: The work includes frequent audits of waste storage areas and many other areas of the health care system—collection and consolidation of wastes across the system and clean‑up of hazardous materials and wastes. The work involves walking, standing, bending, hand dexterity, climbing, carrying items, and driving government motor vehicles. Audits and inspections expose workers to hazards such as toxic chemicals, biohazards, physical stressors, and safety hazards.
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/.
Duties
This position will require travel between Zorn campus and CBOC's on a routine basis.
The position functions as the technical environmental authority as the Environmental Protection Specialist, with responsibility for ensuring full compliance with the interpretation and implementation of GEMS policies and programs in accordance with Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) and RRVAMC policies and guidance.
Major duties include (but are not limited to):
Participates in the preparation of written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and standards.
Analyzes GEMS‑related issues and problems—resulting in findings and conclusions that lead to continual improvement of environmental programs at RRVAMC.
Provides guidance and direction to leadership, management, and professional and technical personnel regarding the development and implementation of facility GEMS plans—organizes, implements, oversees, and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems.
Develops and implements environmental policies, procedures, and systems.
Advises management on how environmental policies, procedures, and systems will affect the operation of the RRVAMC.
Evaluates, modifies, and implements pollution prevention alternatives at the RRVAMC to reduce waste generation.
Measures effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommends additions to meet changing requirements.
Develops promotional and educational activities to promote stakeholder awareness.
Serves as an expert on issues related to environmental statutes, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC), Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks, Superfund Statutes, Toxic Substances Control Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act.
Provides support to the industrial hygiene program for RRVAMC on matters such as toxic and hazardous substances—control measures for reducing exposure and disposal of hazardous chemical agents.
Investigates accidents (including those involving fatalities and serious injury) and employee complaints of unsafe work conditions, determines corrective measures, and prepares necessary reports and records.
Develops, maintains, and sustains a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Program for Louisville VAMC, including policy development and training.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 7:30 am‑4:00 pm.
Telework: Ad‑hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist / PD404030. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Must possess a valid, state‑issued driver’s license, have a safe driving record, and be medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely.
Please do not upload a copy of your driver's license.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/23/2026. 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‑11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑9. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in federal service. An SF‑50 showing your time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one‑year time‑in‑grade, as required. In that case you must provide an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one‑year time‑in‑grade. Note: Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include—but are not limited—to:
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of program or administrative work relating to environmental protection.
Knowledge of one or more environmental sciences or related fields (e.g., biology, ecology, chemistry, hydrology, radiation physics, environmental law, real property functions, or statistics) sufficient to assess and correlate environmental data, verify results, and discuss technical aspects of work with scientists, engineers, and other environmental experts.
Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations.
Ability to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate environmental programs.
Knowledge of the policies, organization, operations, work practices, and environmental parameters of regulated industries.
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must meet one of the following education requirements:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate work leading to such a degree; or
LL.M. (if related to Environmental Protection).
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master’s degree.
You will be rated on the following competencies for this position: Administration and Management, Communications, Computer Skills, Project Management. Experience includes paid and unpaid work—such as volunteer work 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.
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. A full year of work is considered 35‑40 hours per week; part‑time experience is credited on the basis of actual time.
Physical Requirements: The work includes frequent audits of waste storage areas and many other areas of the health care system—collection and consolidation of wastes across the system and clean‑up of hazardous materials and wastes. The work involves walking, standing, bending, hand dexterity, climbing, carrying items, and driving government motor vehicles. Audits and inspections expose workers to hazards such as toxic chemicals, biohazards, physical stressors, and safety hazards.
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/.
Duties
This position will require travel between Zorn campus and CBOC's on a routine basis.
The position functions as the technical environmental authority as the Environmental Protection Specialist, with responsibility for ensuring full compliance with the interpretation and implementation of GEMS policies and programs in accordance with Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) and RRVAMC policies and guidance.
Major duties include (but are not limited to):
Participates in the preparation of written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and standards.
Analyzes GEMS‑related issues and problems—resulting in findings and conclusions that lead to continual improvement of environmental programs at RRVAMC.
Provides guidance and direction to leadership, management, and professional and technical personnel regarding the development and implementation of facility GEMS plans—organizes, implements, oversees, and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems.
Develops and implements environmental policies, procedures, and systems.
Advises management on how environmental policies, procedures, and systems will affect the operation of the RRVAMC.
Evaluates, modifies, and implements pollution prevention alternatives at the RRVAMC to reduce waste generation.
Measures effectiveness of existing environmental programs and recommends additions to meet changing requirements.
Develops promotional and educational activities to promote stakeholder awareness.
Serves as an expert on issues related to environmental statutes, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC), Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks, Superfund Statutes, Toxic Substances Control Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act.
Provides support to the industrial hygiene program for RRVAMC on matters such as toxic and hazardous substances—control measures for reducing exposure and disposal of hazardous chemical agents.
Investigates accidents (including those involving fatalities and serious injury) and employee complaints of unsafe work conditions, determines corrective measures, and prepares necessary reports and records.
Develops, maintains, and sustains a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Program for Louisville VAMC, including policy development and training.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 7:30 am‑4:00 pm.
Telework: Ad‑hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist / PD404030. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Must possess a valid, state‑issued driver’s license, have a safe driving record, and be medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely.
Please do not upload a copy of your driver's license.
#J-18808-Ljbffr