We are 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
We are 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.
This job will close when we have received 175 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$42,430 - $77,306 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 05 - 07
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Boston, MA
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Cincinnati, OH
Dallas, TX
Seattle, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis. NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - Individuals who have graduated with a certificate or degree from a qualifying educational institution within 2 years of the closing of this announcement
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12 - Full promotion potential is available only if the Office converts the Recent Graduate to a permanent appointment at the end of the program. The Internship appointment concludes upon the intern’s graduation, resignation, or termination by the Office.
MERIT PROMOTION (MP) VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT - Recent Graduates who are current Federal employees or former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans with VOW, VEOA, or 30% disability; or Military Spouses. All applicants must have completed a certificate or degree from a qualifying educational institution within 2 years of the closing of this announcement.
The EPA OIG is seeking Recent Graduates in the Office of Audit. Positions are available in the following offices located in:
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA;
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati, OH;
Dallas, TX
Durham, NC (Research Triangle Park)
New York, NY
Seattle, WA
Responsibilities
Ideal candidates for these positions are individuals who have graduated with an undergraduate or graduate degree program in auditing; or a degree in a related field such as accounting, business administration, finance, economics, public administration, public policy, public health, environmental studies, environmental policy, political science, or other related fields.
Duties for the GS-05:
As a developmental or trainee auditor, the candidate facilitates team efforts and helps achieve team goals throughout an assignment and achieve directorate-level and OIG-wide goals.Participate in the design and development of a comprehensive approach to answer significant questions involving complex Agency wide programs.
Conducts routine assignments and assists with segments of more moderately complex assignments of various programs.
Identify areas where significant improvements in economy, efficiency, and effectiveness can be made in Agency statutes, regulations, guidance, policies, procedures, or practices.
Duties for the GS-07:
As an entry-level auditor, the incumbent will gain the skills to conduct non-complex assignments and assists with selected aspects of more complex assignments targeting various programs carried out by the Agency, state agencies, grantees, or contractors;
Develops skills in conducting audits to support QA strategic and annual goals;
Assists in the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of the programs and operations of the EPA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board;
Learn to perform assignments targeting environmental program areas, such as water, air, hazardous waste, pesticides, pollution prevention, and research and development; and
Develops technical skills in disciplines that are a part of the effective, efficient, and economical operation of environmental program areas.
Candidates will be considered on the basis of the applicability of their education to specific EPA OIG assignments.
Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. Citizenship Required.
Background Investigation Required.
Position has portable work and the selectee may be eligible to telework.
This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo 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. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.
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.
REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver’s license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.
Qualifications
NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
To be eligible for the recent graduates program, you must meet the following criteria:
Completed a qualifying associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctoral, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within two years prior to this announcement’s closing date.
Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation, begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which they completed their degrees (or certification).
Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in auditing or accounting, e.g., 15 semester hours.
A certificate as a Certified Internal Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant, obtained through written examination; or
You must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least a 2.0.
Degree: accounting, business administration, finance, economics, public administration, public policy, public health, environmental studies, environmental policy, political science, or other related fields.
To qualify for the GS-05, you must posess:
4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree
or
3 years, 1 year general experience of which was equivalent to at least GS-4
To qualify for the GS-07, must posses:
1 full year of graduate level education
or
superior academic achievement
or
1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5 performing the following tasks:
Assisting in analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to assess program development or execution for improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency;
Experience gathering various types of data to analyze, draw conclusions, and communicate results;
Assisting in developing written reports and written guidance in a variety of formats (e.g., narrative, graphs, charts, etc.) using a variety of software packages (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint); AND
Compiling and analyzing from various sources of information/problems and present findings and recommendations.
or
Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in Performance Auditing, or an equivalent combination of performance auditing experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:
A certificate as a Certified Internal Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant, obtained through written examination; or
Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in auditing or accounting, e.g., 15 semester hours.
Education
Mandatory Education Requirement. Your degree must be in a related field, such as: accounting, business administration, finance, economics, public administration, public policy, public health, environmental studies, environmental policy, political science, or other related fields.
Applicants must meet requirements at the following GS levels:
Mandatory Education Requirement. All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify:
GS-05: Completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
GS-07: Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.
(NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts as proof of any claimed education).
The qualification requirements must be met within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during the application process.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.
All education claimed by applicants will be verified.
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).
Additional information
Appointees may be extended or reappointed under this program without further competition. 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. Additional information on program completion and conversion can be found at Pathways Program.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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, 11 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.
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.
In addition to your resume, the following documents are required for this position:
If you are a Veteran claiming 5-point Veterans' Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility. If you are a Veteran claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you must submit a SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof required by that form. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference.
You must submit your college transcripts (unofficial are acceptable).
All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in three phases to determine how you move forward in the hiring process.
Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed.
Phase II: If determined to be eligible, your application will be reviewed and rated based on the competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents). Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.
Phase III: If successful in Phase II, you will be invited to participate in a structured interview to be conducted by a SME panel will conduct, who will assign a score for each of the required Competencies listed below, based on your responses to the interview questions.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
Administration and Management
Auditing
Audit Reporting
Performance Measurement
NOTE:
If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments by the selecting official (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.).
If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education, or responses to questions, or if you engage in cheating on any assessment (including using a consultant or an AI tool), your rating may be adjusted, and you may be removed from further employment consideration.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Offices within the OIG community who have vacancies with the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
You may choose to opt in to have your information shared with other agencies when applying for this position. If an agency requests a copy of a certificate, you are on, you will be notified.
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, 11 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.
See USAJOBS Resume Infofor additional guidance and information about the recommended formatting (e.g., file type, font size/type, margins).
Responses to the vacancy questions
All required documents
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 any special consideration for which you may be eligible.
Current or former federal employees, in addition to the items above, include:
Your most recent copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing:
Block 24: Tenure 1 (permanent) or 2 (career-conditional)
Block 34: Position Occupied – Competitive Service (code 1)
To be considered under noncompetitive eligibility, your SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential attained competitively, and that grade must be equivalent to or higher than the grade for which you are applying.
Indicate the highest permanent grade you have held.
If this grade is different from your current grade, include a copy of an additional SF-50 showing that grade.
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.
APPLICANTS CLAIMING VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
To be eligible for veterans’ preference, you must claim preference in your USAJOBS account; you must also submit proof of eligibility as indicated below.
Separated veterans claiming 0-point preference:
DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) and that the release or discharge was due to sole survivorship
Separated veterans claiming 5-point preference:
DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge)
Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more:
DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service); document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge); and
VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage); and
SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form)--see page 2 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214 and VA letter
Other separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference:
Other required documentation indicated on the SF-15
Active-duty service members:
Certification from the Armed Forces (Statement of Service) documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the Armed Forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification)
You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at fedshirevets.
DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE
Most recent performance appraisal
Proof of eligibility
Most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station
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 are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
As referenced in the Required Documents section, all required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
It is recommended that you review your application materials after they have been uploaded to your application to ensure they conform to the requirements stated in the announcement.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement.
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.
See USAJOBS Resume Infofor additional guidance and information about the recommended formatting (e.g., file type, font size/type, margins).
Responses to the vacancy questions
All required documents
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 any special consideration for which you may be eligible.
Current or former federal employees, in addition to the items above, include:
Your most recent copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing:
Block 24: Tenure 1 (permanent) or 2 (career-conditional)
Block 34: Position Occupied – Competitive Service (code 1)
To be considered under noncompetitive eligibility, your SF-50 must show the highest grade level or promotion potential attained competitively, and that grade must be equivalent to or higher than the grade for which you are applying.
Indicate the highest permanent grade you have held.
If this grade is different from your current grade, include a copy of an additional SF-50 showing that grade.
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.
APPLICANTS CLAIMING VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
To be eligible for veterans’ preference, you must claim preference in your USAJOBS account; you must also submit proof of eligibility as indicated below.
Separated veterans claiming 0-point preference:
DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) and that the release or discharge was due to sole survivorship
Separated veterans claiming 5-point preference:
DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge)
Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more:
DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service); document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge); and
VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage); and
SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form)--see page 2 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214 and VA letter
Other separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference:
Other required documentation indicated on the SF-15
Active-duty service members:
Certification from the Armed Forces (Statement of Service) documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the Armed Forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification)
You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at fedshirevets.
DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE
Most recent performance appraisal
Proof of eligibility
Most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station
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 are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
As referenced in the Required Documents section, all required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
It is recommended that you review your application materials after they have been uploaded to your application to ensure they conform to the requirements stated in the announcement.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement.
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.
