Total 2 Science / R&D / Research job vacancies in Watervliet, New York

This position is located in the Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, Region 2, (Edison, NJ). The Director is responsible for providing laboratory analytical support for regional programs. The position directs, coordinates, and oversees the Quality Assurance Program for the region, including the media divisions, states, tribes, contractors, and applicable local governments and programs. The Director is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of field and analytical activities, in support of the region’s media and enforcement programs. The Director oversees and coordinates the development of a rigorous training curriculum with the region’s states, tribes, local governments, media programs, and other countries.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

- Directing and monitoring the work of the division to ensure that it meets the goals and adheres to the policies of the Region's and Agency's requirements.

- Working cooperatively with media and enforcement programs to evaluate the analytical and field service needs of those programs.

- Making decisions related to the administrative work of the division in order to make recommendations to the Regional Administrator.

- Coordinating with internal and external partners to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate decisions to the public as well as those partners.

- Establishing controls and benchmarks to evaluate the work and accomplishments of the programs that are under the purview of the division.

- Directing the day-to-day operations of the program.

- Performing supervisory personnel duties for a large group of subordinate supervisors and staff.

As an Agency senior leader, the incumbent will view policy and personnel decisions through both an Environmental Justice (EJ) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) lens to support the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, grants, and policies regardless of race, color, national origin, or income. This includes consideration of the effect of their work on communities with environmental justice concerns. Engagement with impacted communities in decisions, integrating equity and justice and compliance with all civil rights requirements, will be taken into policy considerations and program implementation to ensure that EPA achieves its mission for all communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provides advice and support to managers, supervisors, and the Human Resources Officer on recruitment and placement matters for a variety of professional, administrative, technical and clerical occupations GS-09 and below and for wage grade occupations WG-10 and below. Assists in planning and administering the merit promotion and recruitment/placement program. Identifies appropriate qualification standard to be applied, validates hire authority, develops position announcements, locates position applicants, develops candidate evaluation criteria and evaluates candidate eligibility, and refers qualified candidates for selection consideration. Reviews and verifies information on requests for vacancy announcements to assure correctness. Notifies candidates of the results of their application. Maintains necessary documents associated with merit placement, applicant supply, Department of Defense (DoD) Priority Placement Lists, and Over-graded Technician Listings. Accumulates and analyzes statistics concerning recruitment and placement function such as turnover rates, quit rates, promotions, minority hire rates, hiring lag time, etc. Conducts exit interviews to identify potential program or management deficiencies. Uses information for analyzing trends, considering program adjustments, managerial/supervisory training needs, etc. Assist in conducting long-range planning for projected mission and/or organizational changes to formulate a placement plan.

2. Ensures required selection documentation and information contained thereon is correct including military compatibility; checks medical certificates and reports from references; checks security requirements; initiates select/non-select letters, etc. Counsels and registers employees in the DoD Priority Placement Program and/or OPM Interagency Placement Assistance Program as appropriate.Interprets and applies State pay setting tools such as highest previous rate rule and recruiting and retention incentives. Analyzes technician and payroll information to identify and resolve pay-setting errors or discrepancies. Sets rates of pay for General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) technicians for appointments, transfers, promotions, changes to lower grade, and changes between GS and FWS pay systems.

3. Provides advice on military technician compatibility issues and delegated personnel authorities. Provides guidance to supervisors, managers and military commanders on assignment of technicians to compatible military assignments. Ensures excepted technicians maintain the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)/Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) commensurate with the technician position held and are militarily assigned to the unit in which they are employed. Ensures current employees in non-compatible status obtain the proper AFSC/MOS and/or correct military assignment. Assists supervisors and management in achieving compatibility. Initiates or recommends approval of appropriate waivers as required.--Assists technicians with permanent change of station moves. Initiates transportation agreements. Completes travel orders authorizing various entitlements. Obtains necessary funds from NGB or state Comptroller as appropriate. Provides counseling to employees on entitlements, rights, and obligations. Coordinates with travel offices and employees to facilitate movement of household goods. Reviews requests for extension of temporary quarters and makes recommendations for approval. Initiates transportation agreements. Completes travel orders authorizing various entitlements.

4. Assists in conducting reductions-in-force (RIF). Develops competitive levels and maintains retention registers. Evaluates qualifications and military assignment factors to reassign displaced employees. Assists in developing, coordinating, and maintaining state plans/guidance. Assists in educating commanders, managers, and supervisors on the various programs. Responds to inquiries on recruitment and placement related matters from the serviced workforce and coordinates with NGB-HR as required. Attends national recruitment and placement workshops.