Environmental Health Specialist

Located in the Division of Environmental Health Services, Office of Environmental Health & Engineering, Bemidji Area IHS, Rhinelander District Office, Rhinelander, WI. Incumbent independently plans, develops & implements a comprehensive environmental health program on assigned reservations in accordance with Part 3, Chapter 11, Environmental Health Services, IHS Manual & other written guidelines from OEHE

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Individual Occupational Requirements: General Medical and Healthcare Series 0601.

Education: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

In addition, to the Individual Occupational Requirements, you must also meet the Selective Factor and Minimum Qualifications stated below.

Selective Placement Factor: The following certification/licensure is determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants must possess and provide proof of a professional registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) or Registered Sanitarian (RS) by the National Environmental Health Association or reciprocal registration from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. Applicants who do not meet a selective factor are ineligible for further consideration. Note: You must attach a copy of your certificate(s).

Minimum Qualifications: You must meet one of the following requirements for the GS-11 grade level.

Experience: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks, examples include: Applying appropriate environmental health codes, standards and best practices when identifying risk factors for necessary mitigation; applying interpersonal skills, writing and verbal communication to teach and gain compliance with environmental health conditions; Effectively evaluating and implementing environmental health control measures; Planning and administering environmental health work through a risk based process.

OR
Education: Your resume must demonstrate 3 Years or progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. (submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses on your resume)

OR
Combination: Your resume must demonstrate a combination of qualifying education and experience that when combined fully meets the minimum qualifications described above. The percentage of the education requirement met, plus the percentage of the experience requirement met, must total at least 100% to qualify at the GS-11 level. (submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses on your resume)

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS - https://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Background Investigation Requirement

• This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

• This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
• Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
• Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.