Environmental Protection Specialist
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kansas City, MO, United States
Summary
The Kansas City VA Medical Center is recruiting for a well-qualified Environmental Protection Specialist – planning and administering environmental programs. This position functions as the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) coordinator and serves as a key advisor to the Occupational Health and Safety Service. The primary purpose of this position is to coordinate efforts within the facility that relate to environmental matters.
Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement – 03/30/2026. 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. 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 the Federal service. An SF‑50 that shows 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 one‑year time‑in‑grade – an additional SF‑50 may be required. 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.
Qualifications may be based on experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑9. Examples include: planning, implementing, and evaluating environmental protection programs; administering a green environmental management program; leading environmental facility inspections; advising management on environmental program status; preparing reports; and training others on specific environmental topics.
Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. For this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree. This education must demonstrate the knowledge‑skills‑abilities necessary for the position. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify. A combination of specialized experience and education beyond the specified minimum may be considered.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training directly applicable to paid employment. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Duties
The GEMS Coordinator ensures compliance with local environmental regulations and supports the development and implementation of the Environmental Management Program – performs environmental reviews for a myriad of construction projects – and provides professional consultative support in the implementation of environmentally sustainable programs.
The incumbent is responsible for the comprehensive coordination of all aspects of the Environmental program functions under EPA regulations and VA directives and standards.
The environmental protection specialist completes permits and leads facility self‑assessments – inspections – and other environmental investigations.
Duties include – but are not limited to: administers the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) program, identifies areas of risk for the facility as it relates to environmental regulations and programs.
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing air emissions, fuel storage, solid waste, medical waste, drinking water quality, hazardous waste, storm water, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and wastewater discharge.
Manages and provides technical advice regarding responses to environmental emergencies, including releases or spills of hazardous materials.
Develops policies and procedures related to the methods, techniques, and procedures necessary to integrate the Green Environmental Management Systems into the facility.
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing hazardous pharmaceutical and non‑pharmaceutical waste; evaluates, modifies, and implements pollution prevention alternatives.
Develops and implements training and educational programs related to facility environmental regulation risks.
Develops and implements a quality management plan to provide a systematic and rational process for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of environmental compliance issues.
Provides technical expertise for the design, modification, operation, and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations; sets qualitative and quantitative standards to improve environmental performance.
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 7:30am‑4pm CST. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD# : Environmental Protection Specialist/PD103950. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
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Qualifications To qualify for this position – applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement – 03/30/2026. 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. 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 the Federal service. An SF‑50 that shows 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 one‑year time‑in‑grade – an additional SF‑50 may be required. 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.
Qualifications may be based on experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑9. Examples include: planning, implementing, and evaluating environmental protection programs; administering a green environmental management program; leading environmental facility inspections; advising management on environmental program status; preparing reports; and training others on specific environmental topics.
Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. For this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree. This education must demonstrate the knowledge‑skills‑abilities necessary for the position. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify. A combination of specialized experience and education beyond the specified minimum may be considered.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training directly applicable to paid employment. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Duties
The GEMS Coordinator ensures compliance with local environmental regulations and supports the development and implementation of the Environmental Management Program – performs environmental reviews for a myriad of construction projects – and provides professional consultative support in the implementation of environmentally sustainable programs.
The incumbent is responsible for the comprehensive coordination of all aspects of the Environmental program functions under EPA regulations and VA directives and standards.
The environmental protection specialist completes permits and leads facility self‑assessments – inspections – and other environmental investigations.
Duties include – but are not limited to: administers the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) program, identifies areas of risk for the facility as it relates to environmental regulations and programs.
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing air emissions, fuel storage, solid waste, medical waste, drinking water quality, hazardous waste, storm water, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and wastewater discharge.
Manages and provides technical advice regarding responses to environmental emergencies, including releases or spills of hazardous materials.
Develops policies and procedures related to the methods, techniques, and procedures necessary to integrate the Green Environmental Management Systems into the facility.
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing hazardous pharmaceutical and non‑pharmaceutical waste; evaluates, modifies, and implements pollution prevention alternatives.
Develops and implements training and educational programs related to facility environmental regulation risks.
Develops and implements a quality management plan to provide a systematic and rational process for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of environmental compliance issues.
Provides technical expertise for the design, modification, operation, and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with environmental regulations; sets qualitative and quantitative standards to improve environmental performance.
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 7:30am‑4pm CST. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD# : Environmental Protection Specialist/PD103950. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
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