![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090510040327im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Career Opportunities in the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances
Resources
If you would like a rewarding career protecting human health and the environment from risks from toxic chemicals and pesticides, join us at the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Working at OPPTS is more than just a career-it's serving your country by helping to protect human health and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
The scientists, engineers, economists, toxicologists, environmental protection specialists, information specialists, attorneys, and program analysts who work for OPPTS have made a commitment to serve the USA and make a difference.
OPPTS is located at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC, at the Potomac Yard Building in Crystal City, VA, and at our laboratories at Bay St. Louis, MS and Fort Meade, MD.
On this page you will find information on:
Overview of OPPTS Opportunities
OPPTS is looking for people with a variety of backgrounds. The various types of positions we fill include:
- Science, engineering, and environmental policy at entry-level, mid-level, and senior specialists;
- Supervisory and management roles; and,
- Internships and special student employment programs.
OPPTS competitive job listings.
Entry Level Programs
If you are a recent college graduate, you may want to explore opportunities in the following programs which provide special hiring authorities for entry-level positions. These opportunities are in addition to the individual job listings on the USAJobs website:
Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP):FCIP is a two year internship program focused on training and career development, leading to permanent employment upon successful completion of the program. OPPTS recruits FCIP opportunities at the GS-9 level.
GS-9 candidates must have a masters or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree, or LLB or JD degree, if related, or at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Candidates must be US citizens. For more information visit the OPM Qualification Standards website.
Opportunities to apply for FCIP positions include opportunities at Job Fairs and on-campus recruitment activities.
EPA Intern Program (EIP):EIP is a comprehensive entry-level, professional, employment and career development program at EPA. More information about this program and information on how to apply.
Student Programs
OPPTS welcomes students! We have internship opportunities for students, including employment leading to non-competitive career conversion as well as traditional internship opportunities with EPA, both paid and unpaid.
- Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
- Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
- Student Volunteer Programs
- How to apply
Student Career Experience Program (SCEP): Are you interested in exploring a career with the EPA and the Federal Government but don't know where to begin? Participating in the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) at EPA can give you the edge you need to get your foot in the door. SCEP provides students with paid part-time, semester-length, seasonal, or summer trainee employment with full employee benefits in a position complimenting their academic studies and career goals. Upon successful completion of at least 640 hours of work and receipt of their degree, participants receive non-competitive eligibility for appointment to the Federal service for which they have trained.
Download the Student Career Experience Program brochure (PDF) (2 pp., 433 KB about PDF)
OPPTS SCEP positions include:
- Environmental Protection Specialist Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Environmental Scientist Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Chemist Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Biologist Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Toxicologist Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Program Analyst (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Economist Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
- Environmental or Chemical Engineer Trainee (PDF) (1 pp., 34 KB about PDF)
To qualify for an OPPTS SCEP position, you must:
- Be a US citizen;
- Be enrolled at least half time in a degree granting program at an accredited college or university. A partnership agreement is required with the university;
- Have at least a 2.95 GPA on a 4.0 scale;
- Be recommended by university faculty; and
- Pass a basic background investigation.
Individual opportunities may have additional qualifications or require a specific major.
Salary levels range from GS-3 and GS-4 (undergraduate students), GS-7 (masters candidates), or GS-9 (Ph.D candidates). Benefits include annual and sick leave, health, life and long term care insurance, transit subsidy and retirement. Work schedules are flexible to accommodate academic needs. Students gain on-the-job training and experience and preview a career in the Federal service.
Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP):If you are interested in a traditional paid internship that offers temporary employment either during summer breaks or during the school year, the STEP program is for you. The length of these positions can range from three months during the summer to your entire student career.
To qualify for the STEP Program, you must be:
- a U.S. citizen;
- at least 16 years old;
- enrolled as a degree-seeking student;
- taking at least a half-time academic or vocational and technical course load at one of the following:
- accredited high school;
- technical or vocational school; or
- a two- or four-year accredited college or university at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional school level.
Student Volunteer Programs: OPPTS is happy to provide opportunities for students to work at internships for academic credit. We participate in a number of university programs providing Washington experience. OPPTS managers will be happy to review your resumes and consider you for opportunities we may have.
How to apply for the OPPTS Student Programs
SCEP: We conduct an active on-campus recruiting program at approximately 30 universities and advertise this program on many more individual university career websites. We also accept additional applications from qualified students. For university-specific recruitment opportunities, please consult your Career Center or your university recruitment website. If your university does not list our positions, you may email your application directly to us. After determining which positions you wish to apply for, provide a resume, cover letter, current official transcript, faculty recommendation, and writing sample, specifying your interest in SCEP, to:
Roberta Miller, SCEP Director
MC7101M
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)564-4116
(202)564-0550 (fax)
Roberta Miller
Email submissions are preferred. Application packages that are not part of an on-campus recruitment must be received no later than February 1, 2009 for consideration for positions beginning for summer 2009.
STEP: Students may apply at any time for STEP positions. Please email your resume to Roberta Miller, specifying your interest in STEP. You may also apply by using the link provided on the EPA Careers website for summer opportunities. This link is activated seasonally.
Volunteer Programs: Apply through your university program or email your resume to Roberta Miller, specifying your interest in a volunteer internship.
