Being Age 55 or Older is Good for The Environment! The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program offers unique opportunities in Scientific, Technical, and Administrative / Office support for individuals age 55 and over to support the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a grant administered program through National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC). This is a unique program where your talents, expertise and experience will truly be valued. The EPA provides a wonderful work atmosphere, and you'll be working side-by-side with EPA staff that are doing important work every day. Benefits Include: Paid Health Insurance Premium, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time, Paid Federal Holidays, One Paid Personal Holiday, Vision and Dental Insurance also available as an optional payroll deduction. Background investigation including fingerprinting and identification verification required. Due to COVID-19, this position will be involve in-person work onsite at the EPA facility with some possibility for remote work until instructions are given on when to safely return to the EPA facility.

Duties:

Provides professional support to the Field Branch related to quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program assistance, instrument readiness/data input, and environmental field instrument custodian/tracking duties.

• Performs as instrument custodian - Duties include: maintenance, calibration, recordkeeping, tracking, training on, and repair of environmental field instruments/equipment. Updates tracking system databases regarding scheduling of instruments for repair, calibration, and project work. Performs training of technical staff on various field monitoring/measurement instruments and performs competency testing and proficiency testing of staff. Documents competency/proficiency testing of staff. Packages instruments to be sent for required calibration. Evaluates and documents evaluation of received pH/conductivity standards (and others) and most in-house calibration gases. Keeps abreast of pertinent instrument and other environmental field monitoring technical literature, and evaluates/researches new equipment technologies as needed. Prepares equipment and supplies for shipment off-site for field investigations. Keeps instrument room and quality required records neat and organized. 45%
• Compiles and maintains Field Branch equipment tracking system, tag-accountable property, and conducts periodic physical inventories. Maintains inventory, tracks expendable items, and assists QA and Field Branch staff in researching information for preparing purchase request for environmental field equipment and supplies to replenish items, as needed. Prepares, reviews, updates, and organizes needed Branch instrument, measurement, and sampling operating procedures, in conjunction with QA and Branch staff. Organizes, develops, archives, monitors, and assists with needed quality-related documents, tasks, and databases with Field Branch QA/QC system, including equipment database. Is trained in and participates as a team member/leader of internal audits of NEIC quality system. Prepares audit reports, as needed. Reviews Field Branch measurement data and reports and offers critical comments, especially related to QA and instrumental requirements. 25%
• Field Branch (and occasional NEIC back-up) receiving, shipping, and inventory duties. Ensures completion of receiving/shipping functions and keeps warehouse orderly and organized. 15%
• Conduct respiratory fit test for all NEIC personnel, and maintain copy of required documentation. Maintain fit testing equipment. 10%
• Assists field teams with instrument readiness, calibration and digital data systems' input and integration while at off-site measurement and sampling activities. 5%

Qualifications:

Minimum of 3 year(s) of experience in - applying principles/procedures involved in quality implementation, documentation assessment and improvement relating to a technical work setting where routine/non-routine measurement activities occur. - calibrating/maintaining environmental field equipment, such as pH meters, ISCO automatic water samplers, TVAs, etc. - developing and/or revising written measurement/sampling or laboratory procedures. - with quality management systems, including hands-on experience in the environmental field operation OR BA/BS Degree in Science OR related degree (DEGREE NOT REQUIRED) Previously completed training in environmental field instrumentation calibration/maintenance and in QA/QC protocols and principles Equivalent work experience may substitute for training.

• Written/oral communication skills associated with quality management systems, field operation units or analytical laboratories.
• Familiarity with field environmental sampling/management methodologies and environmental field instruments.
• Skill in the development and maintenance of inventory/record-keeping databases.
• Additional helpful skills include:
• - Computer skills, in particular experience with Access and/or Excel databases
• - Organizational skills
• - Equipment warehouse experience
• - Experience with managing equipment maintenance/repair
• - Performing equipment calibrations
• - Experience with environmental sampling or monitoring
• - General science/chemistry understanding
• Experience required with MS Word, Excel, Access, Fax, Copying Machine, Scanner

Other:

• EPA Order 1440.2 health and safety training.
• MS Access and other training as needed.
• Health Safety Training: EPA Order 1440.2 Health and Safety Training (initial) and annual 8 hour refresher.
• Health and Safety Considerations: NOWCC or NEIC will provide
• Potential exposure to toxic chemicals, lifting, walking on uneven surfaces.
• Required Safety Gear: Steel-toed shoes, gloves, hardhat, safety goggles/glasses.
• Safety Gear Use: Assisting with instrumentation needs including calibration.