Interdisciplinary (Regulatory), GS-XXXX-12 (27159)

College Park, GA, Savannah, GASouth Atlantic Division (SAD) - Savannah District27159
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Announcement Type

TARP - Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type

Permanent

USACE Organization

South Atlantic Division (SAD) - Savannah District

Locations (City, State)

College Park, GA

Savannah, GA

Position Overview/Duties

Position Overview/Duties:

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) announcement for an Interdisciplinary (Regulatory), GS-XXXX-12 (27159) in the South Atlantic Division, Savannah District, Regulatory Division.

Position Title: Interdisciplinary (Regulatory), GS-XXXX-12 (27159)

Series/Grade: GS-XXXX-12, (0401 Biologist,0819 Environmental Engineer, 1301 Physical Scientist,0150 Geography)

Open Period: 11 May - 25 May, 2026

Duty Location(s): Savannah, GA or College Park, GA

Duties & Responsibilities:

Serve as a Senior Project Manager with full responsibility for interpreting and implementing applicable laws, regulations, and policies governing the Department of the Army Permit Program for the protection, use, and preservation of waters of the United States within the district’s jurisdiction. Exercises a high degree of independent judgment and technical authority in managing a complex and diverse portfolio of regulatory actions. Independently evaluates, coordinates, and leads the processing of a full range of permit applications and regulatory requests, including General Permits (GP), Letters of Permission (LOP), Standard Permits (SP), Jurisdictional Determinations (JD), pre-application consultations, and compliance actions.

Serves as the primary point of contact for applicants, consultants, and stakeholders, resolving complex regulatory issues and negotiating permit conditions to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies. Performs comprehensive and technically complex evaluations of proposed projects, including determining regulatory jurisdiction, assessing direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts, and identifying appropriate permit pathways. Leads and integrates compliance reviews under key environmental statutes, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines of the Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA). Ensures analyses are legally sufficient, technically sound, and defensible under administrative and judicial review. Provides expert technical guidance and regulatory interpretation to lower-graded staff and stakeholders. Plays a key role in the development, review, and implementation of district and regional programmatic initiatives, general permits, and standard operating procedures, often advising management on policy implications and recommended courses of action. Represents the district in interagency coordination efforts, public meetings, and stakeholder engagements, often addressing controversial or high-visibility projects. May serve as a technical expert or witness in administrative hearings or court proceedings, defending regulatory decisions and supporting the agency’s position. Demonstrates advanced analytical skills in balancing competing resource interests and public needs, formulating permit conditions, and anticipating environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Produces high-quality, audience-appropriate documentation that clearly communicates complex technical and regulatory information. Effectively prioritizes workload across multiple complex actions while maintaining responsiveness to internal and external customers and meeting program deadlines.

Must have the ability, skill set, and/or experience to evaluate and analyze a range of interests and impacts, determine the adequacy of proposed project plans, formulate permit conditions, anticipate potential impacts and/or effects on the natural and human environment, compose high-quality documents that are audience appropriate, technically sounds and effective, provides defensible decision/s on actions, and demonstrate effective workload prioritization, and maximum responsiveness to various requests and/or audiences.

Other Conditions and Requirements

Other Conditions and Requirements:

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

Minimum Education Requirement:

Engineering: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in engineering. The program must: lead to a degree in a school with at least one program accredited by ABET. Degree must be documented on a transcript.

Biology & Physical Science: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements.

OPM General Schedule Qualification Standards — https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series

Specialized Experience:

Specialized experience is defined as experience applying federal environmental laws, regulations, and policies to evaluate and process complex regulatory permit actions and compliance activities involving waters of the United States, including wetlands. Experience includes conducting technical analyses of environmental impacts; interpreting and applying the Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and related regulatory authorities; coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders; reviewing wetland delineations and mitigation proposals; resolving complex or controversial environmental permitting issues; and providing technical leadership, guidance, or oversight on regulatory or environmental compliance matters. Experience may also include preparing environmental documentation, negotiating permit conditions, conducting field investigations, and supporting litigation or enforcement activities.

Other Requirements:

  • Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:45 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
  • All positions require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
  • A trial or probationary period may be required.
  • A supervisory probationary period may be required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
  • This position requires a mobility agreement upon entry.
  • The incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Financial Disclosure Report upon entering on duty in this position and annually thereafter.
  • This position requires that the incumbent possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
  • Hiring incentives such as a recruitment/relocation bonus, service credit for leave, and student loan repayment may be authorized (subject to available budget).
  • Relocation (PCS) expenses may be authorized (subject to available budget) if the selecting official determines the relocation is in the best interests of the government.
  • This position is eligible for situational telework.
  • This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor

To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants).

Qualifications - Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with OPM General Schedule (GS) Qualification Standards or Federal Wage System (FWS) Qualifications and Job Elements

GS Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application process, hiring process or while on the job. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.