The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within the EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient & cost effective manner. We perform audits, evaluations, & investigations of the EPA to promote economy, efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse. We strive to provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place.
Summary
The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within the EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient & cost effective manner. We perform audits, evaluations, & investigations of the EPA to promote economy, efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse. We strive to provide solutions to problems that ultimately result in making America a cleaner and healthier place.
MUST BE A CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEE TO BE CONSIDERED. All other applicants will NOT be considered. This is a reimbursable detail assignment and it cannot exceed 180 days in a fiscal year. If selected, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be signed by your current agency. Your supervisor and current agency must concur with the detail. The detail will not result in a promotion or a permanent position.
This position offers the opportunity to work in a maximum telework capacity as authorized by the agency.
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 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:
Serves as a liaison between the OIG and congressional committees, members, and staff, which involves responding to a high volume of inquiries and requests and communicating matters of concern;
Researches congressional positions on major OIG and EPA issues and legislative initiatives, related concerns in their districts, and other relevant information to prepare briefing materials for the inspector general and other senior managers;
Prepares responses to congressional correspondence, testimony, speeches, press releases, and other materials;
Represents the OIG at congressional meetings and hearings of interest to the OIG and prepare summaries for distribution within the OIG. Develop strategies for increasing congressional awareness about the OIG's mission and work;
Develops policies, procedures, and protocols relating to interactions with Congress, the media, and the public;
Serves as a spokesperson for the OIG in responding to inquiries from and presenting OIG activities to news outlets. Arrange and staff interviews, as appropriate, with OIG subject matter experts. Develop and present media training to OIG staff;
Establishes, maintains, and expands effective relationships with other government agencies, including OIGs, and with the OIG’s customer base, including congressional members and staff and press;
Establishes and maintain a familiarity with EPA programs and emerging environmental issues that appear in news outlets that may affect OIG work and relations with Congress;
Recommends to senior managers strategies for addressing or resolving concerns arising from congressional, media, and public communications;
Researches, writes, and edits materials on a variety of established subjects for a range of materials, including digital venues. Ensure correct use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as conformity to official style;
Obtains transcripts of congressional hearings and meetings, and compile Daily News Clips based on keyword searches;
Responds to inquiries from members of the general public; and
Plans and leads special events and presentations for stakeholder groups.
Candidates will be considered on the basis of the applicability of their education to specific EPA OIG assignments.
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.
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.
Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
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.
Upon appointment, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450. You will need to provide the information annually.
Depending on your status, this position may require serving a 1-year probationary period.
Qualifications
Grade Requirements: Applicant must apply at their current grade level. Detail cannot result in a promotion.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
In order to apply at the GS-11 grade level, applicant must meet the criteria listed below:Applicant must currently hold a GS-11 grade level or comparable pay band in the Federal Service as a Public Affairs Specialist have a working knowledge of the day-to-day activities of an Inspector General's Office; reviewing and evaluating congressional inquiries related to audits, evaluations, and investigations involving waste, fraud, and abuse; and preparing briefing materials and/or people to brief Congressional members and staff, and news outlets.
In order to apply at the GS-12 grade level, applicant must meet the criteria listed below:Applicant must currently hold a GS-12 grade level or comparable pay band in the Federal Service as a Public Affairs Specialist serving as the liaison between a government agency and Congress: working knowledge of the day-to-day activities of an Inspector General's Office; reviewing and evaluating congressional inquiries related to audits, evaluations, and investigations involving waste, fraud, and abuse; and preparing briefing materials and/or people to brief Congressional members and staff, and news outlets.
In order to apply at the GS-13 grade level, applicant must meet the criteria listed below:Applicant must currently hold a GS-13 grade level or comparable pay band in the Federal Service as a Public Affairs Specialist serving as the liaison between a government agency and Congress on administrative and criminal investigation issues; working knowledge of the day-to-day activities of an Inspector General's office; reviewing and evaluating congressional inquiries related to audits, evaluations, and investigations involving waste, fraud, and abuse; analyzing the impact of pending legislation on OIG equities; and preparing briefing materials and/or people to brief Congressional members and staff, and news outlets.
Your resume must support your responses to the questionnaire.
Knowledge of the U.S. Congress (legislation process, hearings, correspondence, and communications) sufficient to serve as an Agency liaison to Congress.
Knowledge of the wide range of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques sufficient to advise on the formulation, and implementation of communication policies, programs and strategies for maximum impact when communicating with the public directly or through various media.
Ability to analyze organizational programs to facilitate communication between an agency and its publics on program-related problems, activities, or
Ability to advise management on the formulation and articulation of agency policy, programs, and actions to various publics.
Skill in developing written materials that effectively transmit complex information about programs, initiatives, activities and functions to leaders, internal and external audiences and stakeholders.
Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position does not have a mandatory education requirement.
Additional information
EPA OIG provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.
All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking reference and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.
Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
EPA OIG offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 10 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).
EPA OIG also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, teleworking, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is Full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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. Your resume must support your responses to the self-assessment questions or your score may be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited to an interview.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
EPA OIG offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 10 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).
EPA OIG also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, teleworking, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is Full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your package must be complete and submitted in the manner specified in this section. Packages that are submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the agency point of contact will not be considered.
A complete application includes:
Resume;
Vacancy question responses;
Annual Performance Appraisal; and
Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Current Federal employees must submit a copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34). To be considered as a non-competitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential level applicant has attained competitively and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying.
All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
Download from your USAJOBS account; or
Upload your file(s); or
Fax using the online Fax Cover Sheet.
Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Official documents are not required at the time of application, copies are sufficient. If selected, official documentation must be submitted prior to appointment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You MUST apply on-line through USAJobs. Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. Uploaded resumes must include the following: applicant contact information and educational and professional background information including dates of employment and education, salary (and Federal grade level, if appropriate), and work schedule (i.e., FT/PT). Incomplete applications will not be considered and you will not be contacted to provide any missing information.
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, including error messages received when submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by email at mgshelp@monster.com. The help desk is available for technical support questions Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Environmental Protection Agency
US Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
MC: 2450T
Washington, District of Columbia 20460
United States
Next steps
After the closing date of the announcement, your package will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be interviewed.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBS and selecting "Application Status."
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your package must be complete and submitted in the manner specified in this section. Packages that are submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the agency point of contact will not be considered.
A complete application includes:
Resume;
Vacancy question responses;
Annual Performance Appraisal; and
Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Current Federal employees must submit a copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34). To be considered as a non-competitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential level applicant has attained competitively and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying.
All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
Download from your USAJOBS account; or
Upload your file(s); or
Fax using the online Fax Cover Sheet.
Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Official documents are not required at the time of application, copies are sufficient. If selected, official documentation must be submitted prior to appointment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You MUST apply on-line through USAJobs. Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. Uploaded resumes must include the following: applicant contact information and educational and professional background information including dates of employment and education, salary (and Federal grade level, if appropriate), and work schedule (i.e., FT/PT). Incomplete applications will not be considered and you will not be contacted to provide any missing information.
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, including error messages received when submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by email at mgshelp@monster.com. The help desk is available for technical support questions Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
Environmental Protection Agency
US Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
MC: 2450T
Washington, District of Columbia 20460
United States
Next steps
After the closing date of the announcement, your package will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be interviewed.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBS and selecting "Application Status."
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
