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Intelligence Research Specialist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement has been amended to add sensitive compartmented information to the top secret requirement.

This position is in the Office of the Administrator (AO), Office of National Security and Operations Coordination, Intelligence & Threat Mitigation Division. About AO.

This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 06/09/2026
Closed date: 06/15/2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$121,785 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
EPA-MPE-AO-26-12972768
Control number
872245600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

- Current federal employee with competitive status; reinstatement eligible; ICTAP/CTAP eligible - Current/former federal employee eligible under misc act/authority/agreement (e.g., land management, postal service, interchange agreement) - Preference eligible or veteran who has separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA) - Applicant eligible for noncompetitive appointment (e.g., Schedule A, Peace Corps, VRA) - PHS Officer

Duties

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You will:

  • Serve as a technical authority in National Security Intelligence Analysis and Threat Assessment and Mitigation.
  • Serve as an advisor providing authoritative guidance, operational support, and programmatic expertise to EPA's Insider Threat, Operations Security (OPSEC), Research Security, Foreign Visitors, and defensive counterintelligence programs.
  • Create and deliver educational briefings, awareness materials, and training programs to EPA leadership, staff, and partners to advance understanding of and compliance with national security requirements.
  • Interpret, create, update, and implement policies, directives, and instructions related to OPSEC, Research Security, Insider Threat, and associated national security programs.
One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

#LI-Onsite

You must be a U.S. citizen.

You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service.

This position is designated as High Risk and 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. 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.

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.

You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret / sensitive compartmented information security clearance.

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Must complete required national security training and maintain currency with applicable program certification requirements.

Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.

Qualifications

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as supporting Insider Threat, Operations Security, Research Security, Foreign Visitor, and/or defensive counterintelligence programs; and facilitating collaborative efforts within the intelligence community leading to the production and/or dissemination of intelligence reports and briefings.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

  • Manages and Organizes Information. *
  • Technical Knowledge (Related to Position).*
  • Integrity/Honesty.
  • Written Communication.*
  • Oral Communication.
  • Critical Thinking.
  • Applications and Programs (Related to Position).
*You will be evaluated on these critical competencies.

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.

*If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.

Additional information

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.

Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP
NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section).

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements.

In addition, one or more subject matter experts will systematically review your resume to assess the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for successful performance in this position (see the Qualifications section for a list of the critical competencies being evaluated).

Based on the assessment ratings, a score will be calculated to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates.
NOTE: Cheating (including the use of a consultant or an AI tool to assist you) on any assessment may result in your removal from consideration for this job.

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.).

NOTE: Veterans' preference does not apply to merit promotion procedures. However, veterans' preference is a consideration for a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) and Schedule A disability appointment. If you are eligible to be considered for one of these non-competitive appointments, in order to be eligible for veterans' preference you must claim preference in your USAJOBS account; you must also submit proof of eligibility for veterans' preference as indicated in the Required Documents section.

Environmental Protection Agency

Grow your career for the good of our planet

The environmental challenges we face today are urgent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to join our team dedicated to safe, clean, and healthy communities. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world. That's why there has never been a more crucial moment to be one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators united in our mission to protect our land, air, water, and people. Join us. Be EPA.

Discover how you can apply your skills to make an impact. Explore careers and learn more about EPA at epa.gov/careers.

Agency contact information

Brielle Ganthier
Phone
(919) 541-2562
Email
GANTHIER.BRIELLE@EPA.GOV
Address
Office of the Administrator
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
US

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