Employer Info:
In 1991, Congress established HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC) to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in America's privately-owned and low-income housing.  The OHHLHC provides funds to state and local governments to address lead-based paint hazards in low-income private housing.  In addition, the Office enforces HUD’s lead-based paint regulations, provides public outreach and technical assistance, and conducts technical studies to help protect children and their families from health and safety hazards in the home.

The OHHLHC reports to the Office of the Secretary.  It has a staff of 51.  The Office is organized into five divisions: Programs Division, Regional Management and Technical Services Division, Lead Programs Enforcement Division, Grants Services Division, and the Policy and Standards Division.  The Policy and Standards Division develops and revises lead and healthy homes guidelines and standards, oversees research studies, and provides technical assistance on policy issues for OHHLHC and other HUD Program Offices.

NOTE:  Please see job announcement number H08-DE-195324-DK at www.usajobs.gov for complete information on employer benefits.

Position Description:

The OHHLHC is seeking a highly motivated Environmental Scientist in the Policy and Standards Division.  As an Environmental Scientist, you will serve as an in-house technical expert in building sciences and environmental health issues related to housing, including knowledge about energy efficiency and indoor air quality programs and guidelines.  Major duties will include developing strategies and plans for technical studies, research, and policy to further goals on lead and other residential health and safety hazards, including preparing materials for transmittal to the Congress, principal and other HUD staff, other Federal officials, professional groups, and the general public.  You will be responsible for conceiving and overseeing research that considers health, safety, environmental, and energy conservation factors, identifying best practices for achieving and sustaining healthy housing, and developing strategies to facilitate the transition from categorical lead-based paint remediation to comprehensive healthy homes approaches.  On a day-to-day basis you might be preparing statements of work for contracts and funding announcements for grants and reviewing proposals/applications, representing the Division and Office at meetings, and reviewing, analyzing, and summarizing research results and policy, including information on the cost-effectiveness of healthy homes interventions.

NOTE:  Please see job announcement number H08-DE-195324-DK at www.usajobs.gov for complete information on major duties.

Qualifications: 

To be basically qualified for this position you must have either:

A) Degree: in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics OR

B) Combination of education and experience: with education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Applicant must also have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or comparable pay band in the Federal service.  Specialized experience is defined as experience serving as a technical expert in building sciences and/or environmental health issues related to housing or buildings, including knowledge about high performance housing and indoor environmental quality programs and guidelines.

NOTE: You must be a U.S. Citizen or national to apply for this position.  Please see job announcement number H08-DE-195324-DK at www.usajobs.gov for complete information on key requirements, qualifications, applicant evaluation criteria, and to submit your application.  Applications will only be accepted through the USAjobs site; please do NOT attempt to apply directly to this posting.