Physical Scientist (HAZMAT) - Direct Hiring Authority
What you'd do
This position is a Physical Scientist (Hazmat), GS- 1301-12 working in Sacramento, California for the Divison of Environmental Affairs. Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Physical Scientist. Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Major duties
As a Physical Scientist (Hazmat) your duties will include but are not limited to the following: 1.Serve as the Regional Hazardous Materials Coordinator by implementing a comprehensive environmental management, hazardous materials, and hazardous waste oversight program for the region which includes interpreting and encouraging compliance with local, state, and federal hazardous materials rules and regulations as well as Departmental and Bureau directives and policies. 2. Evaluate regional compliance with environmental laws and Reclamation's hazardous materials management program through on-site audits, inspections, investigations, and corrective action activities. 3. Advise regional leadership on environmental policies, procedures, and systems and how these will affect facility operation. 4. Develops and reviews environmental requirements for region-wide documents, including regulatory guidance, acquisition details, contract specifications, test plans, material releases, environmental site assessments, hazardous materials clean-ups or disposals, or other documents. 5. Project manager/activity lead for assigned projects and investigations in the areas of hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and regulatory environmental compliance to support environmental monitoring, assessment, and reporting activities.
What you need to qualify
Only experience and education obtained by 09/02/2026 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification to include a Selective Factor. Basic Requirement for 1301 series: Successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university that included a major field of study in physical science, engineering or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR Successfully completed a combination of education and experience that included course work equivalent to a major (i.e., 24 semester hours) in physical sciences and/or a related engineering science; plus, appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination must demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work of this position and is comparable to that normally acquired through the completion of a full four-year course of study with a major as described above. Minimum Qualification GS-12: One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience includes 1) identifying and evaluating hazardous materials issues and problems; 2) serving as a project manager or study team leader for projects and investigations in the areas of hazardous waste and environmental compliance; 3) interpreting and providing guidance on hazardous materials rules and regulations;4) conducting environmental analysis on collected data to identify and report on emerging environmental trends; 5) preparing environmental documentation for compliance with regulatory requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Selective Factor: Selective Placement Factor: This position requires the ability to become licensed, certified, or registered by an appropriate Federal, State, or local agency, in order for the employee to perform and certify environmental inquiries. The incumbent is required to meet the 40 CFR Part 312 definition of "Environmental Professional." Specifically, the incumbent must possess one of the following qualifications: 1) Hold a current Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Geologist (PG) license or registration from a State, Tribe, or US territory and have the equivalent of three (3) years of full-time relevant experience; OR 2) Be licensed or certified by the Federal government, a State, Tribe, or US territory to perform environmental inquiries as defined in 40 CFR 312.21 and have the equivalent of three (3) years of full-time relevant experience; OR 3) Have a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education in science or engineering and the equivalent of five (5) years of full-time relevant experience; or have the equivalent of ten (10) years of full-time relevant experience. You must provide proof of having satisfied one of the above requirements to be considered for this position. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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