Recent graduate Jobs in Thornton, CO

Environmental Protection Specialist

Under the DOT Recent Graduates Program, this position, in the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Professional Development Program (PDP), provides up to 24-months of entry-level career development training for participants to learn and apply technical skills to advance the Nation's highway program. Participants matriculate through assignments with seasoned professionals (PDP coaches) as apprentices through mentored on-the-job training in the Environmental field.

This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

$63,271 - $83,523 per year

2 vacancies in the following locations:

• Lakewood, CO 1 vacancy
• Cambridge 1 vacancy
• Remote job

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

Occasional travel - Travel is required for field review to inspect ecological environments, transportation facility locations, construction, and maintenance.

Yes-Relocation expenses are authorized for this position.

Recent Graduates - Recent Graduate - Paid Excepted Service Appointment. After successful completion of the 24-month Professional Development Program (PDP), you will be assigned to a position. Final placement location will be determined by the Agency.

Full-time - Full Time -

Excepted

12

0028 Environmental Protection Specialist

No

Other

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Suitability/Fitness

FHWA.HAD-2023-0049

716934000

This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open only to eligible Recent Graduates. For additional information please visit: This is not a Bargaining unit position.

As a newly-hired recent graduate serving as an Environmental Protection Specialist in the PDP, you will:

• Participate in the program with a focus on environmental policies and programs; air quality and transportation conformity; bicycle, pedestrian, trails and enhancements; noise; sustainable transport and climate change; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); and project development and mitigation.
• Train to serve as a policy and technical advisor on program-and project-related issues associated with the Federal-aid Highway Program.
• Assist with ensuring that State Department of Transportation's (SDOT's) develop and deliver Federal-aid transportation projects and programs appropriately while meeting social, economic, and environmental requirements.
• Be expected to complete three major components including apprentice experience, developmental assignments, and a professional development academy.
• Participate in public involvement programs. Attend public hearings, agency meetings, and technical discussions to obtain information and data that have an impact on highway programs and projects. Prepare and present technical findings and project information.

The ideal candidates have completed a Master's degree in Environmental Science, or a related field that is applicable to this job series, and are seeking challenging assignments that will develop his/her knowledge of, and skill in applying, fundamental transportation laws, principles, systems, policies, methods, and practices pertaining to environmental protection programs.

You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet Pathways Recent Graduate requirements.

Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

Review Required Documents Section as documents are required by closing date

PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY - You must:

• have obtained a qualifying associates, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years unless military service interfered with a veteran's eligibility to apply during that two year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion may apply within 2 years of discharge or 6 years from the date of receipt of the degree whichever comes first;
• provide required documentation to verify degree has been, or will be, completed prior to appointment; AND
• meet the basic qualification standards outlined under the Qualifications section for this series and grade level.

If selected, you:

• must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement;
• will serve on an excepted service appointment for at least a two year trial period;
• will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations;
• must be provided at least 40 hours of interactive training, directly linked to your employment field, within 45 days of appointment;
• will be assigned a mentor within 90 days of appointment;
• will be evaluated for conversion to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service at the end of two years.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• TRIAL PERIOD: The recent graduate is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Recent Graduate/FHWA PDP appointment.
• PHYSICAL LOCATION: The recent graduate will be required to work onsite unless COVID-19 restrictions mandate change.

To determine which eligibility, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience and/or education in your resume and/or uploaded transcripts or you may be deemed ineligible.

For the GS-09:

On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, which included:

• Experience working with environmental protection programs that included work in one or more of the following areas (note that this experience can be gained by assisting higher graded employees): reviewing environmental rule-making and regulations; compliance and enforcement; environmental considerations and documentation; preservation and environmental protection; environmental assessments; environmental compliance and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS's) and NEPA.

Or on Education, you must have at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal clues, and responds appropriately.

For all types of consideration, 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.

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date