Environmental Protection Specialist (Direct Hire)

NASA•Stennis Space Center — Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, MS, US• Contract

Posted 6 hours ago• Business & Finance• Mechanical

Compensation

$61,722–$116,362/year

Job Description

Summary

As a Natural Resources Manager, you will develop and implement natural resource management plans, ensure compliance with environmental laws, oversee field surveys and ecological monitoring, manage conservation projects and contractor performance, serve as a liaison with regulatory and community partners, and support long range environmental planning to sustain the organization's natural systems.

Open & closing dates

03/16/2026 to 03/18/2026

Salary $61,722 to - $116,362 per year Pay scale & grade GS 9 - 12

Location

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
Lead the development and implementation of natural resource management plans for forests, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and other ecological assets; oversee conservation, restoration, and mitigation projects to ensure long term sustainability.
Independently interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations; prepare complete environmental permit applications; coordinate directly with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance.
Design and direct field surveys, habitat assessments, species monitoring, and natural resource inventories; ensure scientific integrity, data quality, and safe field operations.
Manage natural resource programs, performance metrics, and project execution; oversee contractors, consultants, and interdisciplinary teams; prepare high quality reports, presentations, and regulatory documentation.
Serve as a technical liaison with government agencies, community groups, landowners, and partner organizations; communicate complex ecological issues clearly to non technical audiences.
Contribute to long range planning and environmental strategy by evaluating natural resource conditions, identifying risks, and recommending management actions.

Requirements

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:

Gathering data, preparing draft documentation, or coordinating basic field activities to assist with the development of natural resource management plans or support conservation or restoration projects;
Participating in field surveys, habitat assessments, species monitoring, or ecological inventories under the guidance of a senior specialist, and performing data entry, quality checks, or preparing portions of technical reports or presentations;
Applying environmental regulations to assist with permit documentation, communicating routine information to staff or partners, or contributing research for planning purposes.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) LL. B or J.D, if related
OR
e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level:

Preparing environmental documentation, supporting permitting processes, or coordinating with regulatory agency to support the development of natural resource plans or to recommend conservation or restoration actions;
Planning or coordinating field surveys, habitat assessments, or species monitoring to validate ecological data and prepare reports, briefings, or presentations to inform leadership or stakeholders;
Analyzing natural resource trends and identifying emerging management needs to support long-range planning efforts.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) LL.M., if related
OR
e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

Developing or implementing natural resource plans or interpreting and applying federal, state, and local environmental regulations, and coordinating with regulatory agencies to prepare permit applications;
Designing or conducting field surveys, ecological assessments, or species monitoring to manage natural resource projects, program metrics, or the work of contractors, consultants, or interdisciplinary teams;
Preparing technical reports, briefings, or regulatory documentation for leadership, stakeholders, or external agencies to provide technical input on natural resource issues.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Basic Requirement:

If you are using education completed in the United States to meet the qualification requirements, your degree must have been awarded from a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation

Evaluation

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

Occupational and Environmental Health
Environmental Engineering
Planning and Evaluating
Written Communication

NASA considers 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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].

Required Documents

All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.

A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: . Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.

Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:

Classified or government sensitive information.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

The following documents are required:

Resume

To be found qualified on the basis of education, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Qualifications section. You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript. Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed degree program or coursework may result in you being found not qualified for the job and you may lose consideration.

There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.

If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.