
Environmental Protection Specialist
Position Overview
The Department of the Interior manages and protects the nation’s public lands, natural resources, and species and their habitats. Environmental Protection Specialists partner with DOI scientists, natural resources managers, engineers and many others to help DOI protect and improve environmental quality, control pollution, remedy environmental damage, and ensure compliance with environmental laws, regulations and Executive Orders.
This position is represented at the following bureaus
Candidate Description
The ideal candidate understands the relationship between the preservation and management of historic, cultural, and natural resources and environmental protection. This person is an analytical thinker who can plan and evaluate, identify solutions, and collaborate with others effectively. The ideal candidate has an extensive knowledge base or interest in compliance with and application of environmental laws in order to protect or manage resources.
Work Environment
Mostly in an office setting but field visits and inspections are also required to gather data and complete projects.
Minimum Education Requirements
Please see the Administrative and Management Group Qualification Standard on the OPM website.
Career Level Requirements
Responsibilities by Level
Entry:
- Gathering and summarizing environmental data
- Supporting monitoring activities
- Researching a variety of environmental statutes, regulations and policies
Mid:
- Providing information on statutes such as the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act
- Reviewing and updating local policies and procedures to ensure compliance with current environmental requirements
- Drafting responses to Congress and others seeking information on environmental impact of activities on DOI lands
- Assisting in writing environmental compliance documents or environmental assessments.
Journey:
- Evaluating proposed DOI project work for potential environmental effects and making recommendations to remedy identified problems
- Negotiating cooperative agreements with special interest groups and industry
- Planning and executing innovative solutions and techniques to correct environmental problems
- Leading task forces or work groups to identify and resolve environmental compliance or enforcement issues
- Writing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, such as environmental assessments or environmental impact statements
Senior:
- Directing comprehensive environmental programs
- Overseeing work of environmental specialists, scientists, engineers
- Managing a regional or national environmental protection/enforcement program
Strengths by Level
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AccountabilityHolds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Attention to DetailIs thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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ComplianceKnowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Customer ServiceWorks with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Decision MakingMakes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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External AwarenessIdentifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Influencing/NegotiatingPersuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Information ManagementIdentifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Interpersonal SkillsTreats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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LearningUses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Oral CommunicationExpresses 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 cues, and responds appropriately.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Planning and EvaluatingOrganizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Political SavvyIdentifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Problem SolvingIdentifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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ReasoningIdentifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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ResilienceDeals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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TeamworkEncourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Technical CompetenceUses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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WritingRecognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.Show Tool TipEntry 5-7Mid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
Common Pathways
Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

Environmental Protection Assistant
- 0020 - Community Planning
- 0023 - Outdoor Recreation Planning
- 0089 - Emergency Management
- 0110 - Economist
- 0303 - Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant
- 0340 - Program Management
- 0408 - Ecology
- 0430 - Botany
- 0457 - Soil Conservation
- 0458 - Soil Conservation Techncian
- 0486 - Wildlife Biology
- 0801 - General Engineering
- 0808 - Architecture
- 0810 - Civil Engineering
- 0963 - Legal Instruments Examining
- 0965 - Land Law Examining
- 1035 - Public Affairs
- 1083 - Technical Writing And Editing
- 1101 - General Business and Industry
- 1104 - Property Disposal
- 1170 - Realty
- 1315 - Hydrology
- 1316 - Hydrologic Technician
- 1350 - Geology
- 1360 - Oceanography
- 1370 - Cartography
- 1601 - Equipment, Facilities, and Services
- 1640 - Facility Operations Services
- 1801 - General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance
- 1910 - Quality Assurance
- 4742 - Utility Systems Repairing-operatoring
- 5003 - Gardening
- 5401 - Misc Industrial Equipment Operation
- 5406 - Utility Systems Operating
Where We Are
DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."