Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates from a qualifying educational institution having completed an academic program within the preceding two years. Note: Veterans who were precluded by their military service obligation from applying for Pathways Recent Graduate jobs will have up to six years from date of graduation and two years from date of separation from the military to apply.

The EPA OIG is seeking Recent Graduates under the Pathways Program. This position is provided for recent graduates with a desire to work in the Office of the Inspector General and assignments are designed to complement the graduates educational field while meeting the expressed needs of the agency and organizations.

This position is located in the Office of Inspector General, Office of Counsel, Congressional, and Public Affairs, Congressional and Public Affairs Directorate.  The Office of Congressional and Public Affairs communicates with Congress, the news media and the general public about the OIG’s work, including responding to inquiries and requests. OCPA edits, publishes online and disseminates OIG reports and correspondence. This office also is responsible for managing the OIG’s website and social media platforms, creating multimedia products, operating the OIG’s main phone line and email inbox, and handling internal communications.

Individuals with political science, public administration, communications, or related degrees are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will perform the following duties: 

• Assist in articulating the OIG's position to Congress in testimony, statements for the record and views letters;
• Facilitate the appearance of OIG witnesses at congressional hearings;
• Manage the interagency clearance of legislative proposals, post-hearing questions for the record, statutory reports and other Congressional correspondence in coordination with OMB;
• Coordinate the OIG's responses to congressional committee oversight requests and other inquiries from individual Members and congressional staff;
• Provides advice on congressional activity, and assist the office staff with congressional matters that impact the OIG;
• Assist in drafting responses for the IG to with state and local governments, federal officials, leaders of private industry, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign government officials, environmental interest groups, and others;
• Organize communication outreach efforts for a program of national scope and significance;
• Develop and transmit informational materials to a variety of audiences to enhance the understanding of certain attitudes and practices advocated by an organization for the planned and efficient use of natural resources; analyzing and evaluating program needs to advise officials of the information that should be made available to the public or approaches to take to attain program goals;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency leadership, specialists and representatives of external organizations;
• Use a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals such as news releases, radio and television scripts, feature articles, personal appearances, news conferences, exhibits, brochures, and digital media.
• Prepares technical and non-technical, routine correspondence and performs miscellaneous clerical duties (e.g., receives telephone calls and personal callers to the office, reviews outgoing correspondence to ensure accuracy of spelling, grammar, format, and adherence to policy, etc.);
• Clearly communicate issues and findings orally and in writing.

Candidates will be considered on the basis of the applicability of their education to specific EPA OIG assignments.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required. 
• Background Investigation Required.
• Must meet education requirements. 
• Position has portable work and selectee may be eligible to telework.
• Must meet Pathways Recent Graduate program requirements.
• Salary will be set based upon the grade level and duty location at which the selection is made.

This is an appointment under the EPA OIG Recent Graduate program. You must have graduated within the past two years, from a qualifying educational institution or certificate program. The program duration is one year (or two years for STEM positions). Upon successful completion of the program and at the agency's discretion, the appointee may be converted to a permanent position in the competitive service. Appointee must sign a Participant Agreement. Recent Graduates will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations. The entire duration of the Recent Graduate Appointment constitutes a trial period.

This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the tentative employment offer may be withdrawn.

Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. 

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about e-verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Individuals with political science, public administration, communications, or related degrees are strongly encouraged to apply.

In addition to meeting one of the above series basic qualification requirements, applicants must also possess a minimum of 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience to at least the next lower grade level or equivalent band level of responsibility in the Federal Service OR meet the additional education described OR a combination of education and experience.  Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.    Example of specialized experience includes:

GS-7:

Applicants must also possess a minimum of 1 year (52 weeks) equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level or equivalent in the Federal Service.   Example of specialized experience includes: 

1. Assist in analyzing and interpreting information;
2. Assist in promoting an OIG's policies, initiatives, and programs;
3. Utilizing various office automation software programs to prepare news releases.
4. Assist in informing the public about current programs through multiple media outlets.
5. Assist in communicating information with knowledge of current agency regulations and policies.
6. Printing material to be widely distributed audience.

-OR- 

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or a LL.B. or J.D., if related. TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY 

-OR- 

Combination of education and experience. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

GS-9:

Applicants must also possess a minimum of 1 year (52 weeks) equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level or equivalent in the Federal Service.   Example of specialized experience includes: 

1. Analyzing and interpreting politically sensitive information;
2. Promoting an OIG's policies, initiatives, and programs;
3. Utilizing various office automation software programs to prepare news releases.
4. Informing the public about current programs through multiple media outlets.
5. Communicating information with knowledge of current agency regulations and policies.
6. Printing material to be widely distributed audience.

-OR- 

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or a LL.B. or J.D., if related. TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY 

-OR- 

Combination of education and experience. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

GS-11:

Applicants must also possess a minimum of 1 year (52 weeks) equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level or equivalent in the Federal Service.   Example of specialized experience includes:

1. Monitoring, analyzing, and interpreting congressional activities and reporting/disseminating program and/or policy informing matters in support OIG related policies, programs, and initiatives;
2. Developing strategic communication and public affairs communication strategies, plans and guidance;
3. Interfacing with senior leaders and preparing them for large scale meetings with a wide audience; 
4. Recommending communication strategies on congressional and legislation matters, policies, or directives that impact an agency;
5. Establishing working relationships with national leaders/policymakers on matters relating to OIG's mission and strategic plan;
6. Planning and participating in press releases/news conferences.
7. Written communication skills and techniques including the ability to write effective, clear and concise user instructions, policy memoranda, reports, and project documentation.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. After the vacancy closes, we will review your application package to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your responses to the questionnaire, resume and supporting documentation will then be reviewed. You will be placed in one of the three pre-defined categories. Your responses to the questionnaire will serve as the basis for your initial rating in one of three pre-defined categories: "best", "better", and "good". Within each category, those eligible through veterans preference will be listed at the top of the category. Your resume must support your answers to the questionnaire, or your category may be changed. The candidates in the highest category will be certified for referral to the selecting official and may be invited to an interview.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a category rating of BETTER. 

Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, salary, duties performed for each position, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level/pay band.