Environmental Protection Specialist - GEMS Program Manager

Summary

This position serves as the Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Program Manager at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls - SD. This position plays an essential role in the GEMS Program including planning and administering environmental compliance and environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience managing or leading an environmental protection program in a complex organization - applying a wide range of federal - state - and local environmental laws and regulations to ensure compliance and improve environmental performance. This experience must be demonstrated in your resume to receive credit. Drivers License Requirement: Must possess a valid drivers license. (Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid drivers license at the time of your interview.) For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** MAJOR DUTIES: The GEMS Program Manager is responsible for the health care systems GEMS program to include planning and implementation of program policy and procedures ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations - as well as timely tracking of regulatory deadlines - shipping schedules - and hazardous waste locations and volumes
• Inspects proper documentation for the transportation of hazardous materials and waste and maintains 100% accountability of waste manifests
• Manages environmental permits - ensuring that permits are written - followed - and modified as needed and completes all required actions to avoid violating permit requirements
• Leads facility self-assessments - conducts significant surveys and inspections to determine compliance with applicable state - local - and federal environmental regulations and evaluates program implementation
• Advises organizations and services on procedural methods and process improvements - lead sustainability evaluations that cover a wide variety of environmental aspects and impacts and will oversee other environmental investigations and remedial actions
• Maintains current files of local - state - and federal pollution control regulations and ensures that documentation is maintained to demonstrate compliance with regulations
• Develops and implements quality control and quality assurance practices for existing processes as well as for any new processes introduced or modified
• Develops and implements health care system environmental policies - procedures - process improvements - and systems for environmental compliance and environmental management systems - focusing on meeting compliance requirements while reducing generation of wastes and increasing overall sustainability of the health care system
• Analyzes and proposes recommendations concerning capital improvement of expenditures affecting specific programs and service areas
• Actively participates in construction projects as the technical expert on environmental issues
• Serves as an expert on the interpretation of environmental regulations and technical issues
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am to 4:30p Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for telework
• Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.