Environmental Protection Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs(VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) in the Engineering Service, Environmental, Health and Safety section. Environmental Protection specialists, also known as GEMS (Green Environmental Management System) Program Managers, play an essential role in the GEMS Program and apply specialized knowledge of planning and administering environmental compliance and sustainability.

• Major duties include: Plan and implement 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. Manage environmental permits, ensuring that permits are written, followed, and modified as needed and completes all required actions to avoid violating permit requirements. Lead facility self-assessments, conduct significant surveys and inspections to determine compliance with applicable state, local, and federal environmental regulations and evaluate program implementation. Advise organizations and services on procedural methods and process improvements, lead sustainability evaluations that cover a wide variety of environmental aspects and impacts. Negotiate agreements on corrective action plans, potential monetary fees, and non-compliance orders with Federal, State, and local environmental agencies. Review how expansion, modification, closures of existing facilities and infrastructure and new construction of structures and infrastructure will impact the environmental footprint of the health care system. Serve as an expert on the interpretation of environmental regulations and technical issues. Lead and Subject Matter Expert on any new and emerging contaminant and pollution issues and is expected to coordinate all associated activities with reducing, removing, and preventing pollution. Advise senior level management officials within the health care system on the status of environmental programs and recommend changes in the process to meet new environmental requirements and/or reduce environmental impact. Advise other scientists, clinicians, and engineers from other services and organizations regarding environmental compliance and protection programs. Manage compliance and pollution prevention activities for both internal and external reporting requirements. Identify process improvement projects to reduce environmental impacts and take remedial actions to address any non-compliance issues or findings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Environmental Protection Specialist/PD14724O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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