About this role
Job SummaryEmployee will be assigned to Occupational Safety and Health, VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, Topeka, KS, and will serve as an Environmental Protection Specialist as the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Coordinator. The GEMS Coordinator is responsible for managing the healthcare system's environmental program(s) and coordinating the efforts of organizations that relate to environmental matters.
QualificationsSPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: planning, implementing, and evaluating an environmental protection program; administering a green environmental management program/system; ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations; advising management and providing technical advice on environmental programs; developing and implementing environmental policies and procedures; conducting audits; and preparing reports. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required) - Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required) - Combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Physical Requirements: The work requires the employee to carry a good deal of equipment and involves walking, standing, bending, climbing, or crawling during inspections, audits, and surveys. 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/.
Major Duties***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates environmental programs which includes setting qualitative and quantitative standards and provides technical assistance for projects to resolve environmental problems. This includes domestic and industrial wastewater treatment and disposal; safe drinking water; treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste; release of hazardous material/spill response; air pollution control; environmental media permitting; toxic substances; and regulatory oversight. Develops policies and procedures on the methods, techniques, and procedures necessary to integrate the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) in the Healthcare System. Develops long and short-range goals considering space utilization, budget processes, and planning activities. Coordinates activities of the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS), plans with other administrative and clinical services, and ensures development of program objectives. Develops and implements a quality management plan to provide a systematic and rational process for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of environmental compliance issues. Develops and implements training and educational programs related to environmental programs. Evaluates, modifies, and implements pollution prevention alternatives to reduce the generation of waste. Manages and/or provides technical advice regarding response to environmental emergencies including releases/spills of hazardous material. Develops and presents to management budgetary information related to environmental programs. Ensures environmental compliance with standards and regulations for program elements on programmatic responsibilities including, but not limited to: Asbestos Identification Control, Ethylene Oxide, Hearing Conservation, Hazard Communication Standard, Chemical identification and Storage, Nitrous Oxide, Safe Drinking Water, etc. Engages with community external stakeholders for environmentally related statues in the local community. Serves on the national-level Program Advisory Group(s) (PAG) to plan and direct national level programmatic goals and standards within the Environmental Compliance and GEMS program metric. Utilizes complex internal and external compliance databases for tracking and documenting all types of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.