Become an Environmental Engineer at the CDC: A Critical Role in Public Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is at the forefront of protecting the American public from environmental health threats. We are currently seeking an experienced and dedicated Environmental Engineer (GS-13) to join our team in Atlanta, Georgia. This position is ideal for an engineering expert who wants to apply their technical skills to complex issues surrounding chemical safety, hazardous materials, and environmental risk mitigation.

Job Responsibilities

As an Environmental Engineer, your work will be central to our national safety infrastructure. Your core duties will include:

Engineering Leadership: Overseeing complex analyses regarding chemical warfare materiel and hazardous waste disposal.
System Evaluation: Assessing the performance of engineering controls such as air handling and containment systems.
Expert Consultation: Serving as a primary technical liaison between the CDC, the EPA, the Department of Defense, and other key partners.
Standardization: Developing new technical protocols, assessment tools, and training materials that raise the bar for environmental safety nationwide.

Comparison: Standard vs. Specialized Requirements

Requirement Type	Focus Area	Essential Evidence
Basic	Academic Foundation	ABET Engineering Degree / PE / FE License
Specialized	Professional Practice	GS-12 equivalent experience in chemical/hazardous materials

Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate:

A bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
Current licensure or testing milestones such as a PE license or FE exam passage.
One year of specialized experience in high-hazard industrial environments.
A commitment to federal ethics and drug-free workplace standards.

Salary Overview

This position is classified at the GS-13 level, offering a competitive annual salary range of $112,556 to $146,325, commensurate with experience and federal pay scale adjustments.

Benefits

Employees of the CDC enjoy a comprehensive federal benefits package designed to support work-life balance and long-term security, including:

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)
Participation in the FERS retirement system
Access to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Paid federal holidays and generous leave accrual

Application Tips

Be Exact: Ensure your resume clearly states the start and end dates of every position.
Quality over Quantity: Your resume must be under two pages; keep it concise and focused on relevant engineering achievements.
Assessments: Prepare for the USA Hire assessment, which is mandatory for final consideration.

If you have the engineering expertise and a passion for public service, the CDC is the right place for you. Apply today to lead environmental initiatives that save lives and improve the health of the nation.

Why This Environmental Engineer Job Matters

Protect public health and national security as a lead Environmental Engineer at the CDC, where your technical expertise directly impacts chemical safety and hazardous material management.

Environmental Engineer Job Overview

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking a highly skilled Environmental Engineer to join the National Center for Environmental Health in Atlanta, GA. In this critical GS-13 role, you will lead complex engineering analyses and provide authoritative technical guidance on chemical demilitarization and hazardous material operations. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies to safeguard Americans against environmental and occupational hazards.

Requirements for Environmental Engineer

U.S. Citizenship or National status.
Completion of a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program OR a combination of education and experience.
Possession of a current Professional Engineer (PE) license, Engineer in Training (EIT) certification, or successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service.
Demonstrated experience in evaluating chemical or hazardous material treatment/disposal systems.
Experience in assessing environmental or occupational risks associated with toxic industrial chemicals.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
Resume must not exceed two pages.

Preferred Qualifications for Environmental Engineer

Advanced experience in environmental and engineering control systems, including air handling and containment.
Expertise in technical consultation for multi-agency hazardous material inspections.
Proven ability to develop standardized methodologies and training materials for environmental engineering.
Strong proficiency in multidisciplinary project management and public health reasoning.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
✓Comprehensive retirement programs, including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
✓Generous leave policies including paid federal holidays, annual leave, and sick leave.
✓Opportunities for professional development and training.
✓Access to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching contributions.

💡 How to Apply Environmental Engineer Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Environmental Engineer Job

Register or log in at the USAJOBS portal.
Prepare a federal-style resume (max 2 pages) documenting duties, dates, and hours worked.
Complete the mandatory online occupational questionnaire.
Submit all required supporting documentation, including transcripts and SF-50 forms.
Complete the required USA Hire assessments after submission.
Monitor your application status through the USAJOBS dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all federal requirements are met.
Be specific with dates (MM/YY) and average weekly hours for every role listed.
Review the USA Hire assessment guide before beginning the testing process.
Submit early, as the announcement may close early if 75 applications are received.
Clearly document specialized experience that directly relates to chemical/hazardous material engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closing date for this position?

The announcement is scheduled to close on October 16, 2026; however, it may close sooner if 75 applications are received.

Is travel required for this position?

Yes, the position may require travel as part of inspections and technical liaison duties.

Is telework available?

Yes, this position is eligible for telework, subject to agency policy.

Job from Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the CDC represent the gold standard in public health protection. By joining our team, you are not just taking a job; you are contributing to a mission that affects millions. Our work spans from local community health to international emergency response, utilizing cutting-edge science and engineering to solve the world's most pressing health challenges.