Those who get a job with the EPA will protect public health and the environment. There are many different offices within the EPA, such as the Offices of Air, Water and Enforcement and Compliance.
Over half of EPA employees are highly educated professionals such as engineers, scientists and policy analysts. In order to get hired by the EPA, job candidates will need strong academic credentials, leadership skills and commitment to the community.
Earn a Degree
Those who want to get a job with the EPA can choose a natural science degree, like in biology and chemistry, or a technical degree, such as statistics and environmental engineering. For example, environmental engineers usually have a bachelor’s degree in civil or chemical engineering. These students study ecosystem processes, organic contaminants, alternative energy, quality control technologies, water treatment and principles of sustainability and engineering.
Related: 5 Functions of the EPA
Environmental science provides those who want get a job with the EPA a thorough introduction to the natural sciences and includes courses in physics, chemistry, geography and earth science. Students take courses in social sciences, the humanities, communication and technical writing. Many environmental science students complete internships with research institutions or government offices. Students can also earn a computer science related degree and study data analysis, computer modeling and geographic information systems.
Online Application Tips
The USAJobs websites will display the open application period, which is the time frame to apply for open jobs. This period can be as short as three days or up to one month for management or highly technical positions. The typical positions will remain open for two to three weeks. Job candidates must submit their application online with all required documents by 11:59 PM EST of the closing date. There are special hiring processes for certain candidates. Certain positions are only open to “status” candidates who are currently or previously have been employed by the federal employment.
Many federal employees usually work for three years, and then gain the level of status and secure career tenure. Public Health Service Officers, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers and veterans who are 30 percent or more disabled automatically gain a noncompetitive eligibility (NCE). This means that these job candidates who want to get a job with the EPA aren’t guaranteed a job, but federal agencies may surpass the formal competitive announcement process and simply hire them.
Potential Careers
Water quality engineers prevent pollution, clean up spills and help communities and organizations make sustainable choices that reduce water quality problems. They serve as the authority for local or county waste discharge permitting programs, so they are responsible for performing research, conducting investigations and proposing solutions to environmental engineering problems. They provide mentoring and training to government staff, civic leaders and employees involved with wastewater discharge construction and maintenance.
Environmental specialists work with private businesses and industries to manage environmental solutions and programs. They help clients address environmental and sustainability challenges regarding energy consumption, water usage and waste production. Thus, they consult with private companies how to improve energy efficiency, better manage wastewater and recovering resources from waste products.
As a final word of advice, the most challenging part of working for the EPA is learning how the agency works. There are many processes and regulations that can take years to master. Systems thinking and analytical skills will help new hires succeed in the EPA. In order to get a job with the EPA, search their official website for current openings here.
