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Eagle-eyed With rampant pollution and many of the nation's animals nearing extinction, the U.S. faced an environmental crisis during the late 1960s. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was founded in 1970 to combat threats to the environment and public health, and to solve the nation's environmental problems. The agency's history is one of unparalleled success. Since its formation, the EPA has overseen sweeping changes in the nation's environmental problems. From decreasing air pollutant emissions to reducing the volume and frequency of oil spills, to fighting the dangers of lead poisoning, the EPA has worked diligently to improve quality of life throughout the country. 18 is the lucky number The EPA was formed by consolidating environmental regulatory departments and independent agencies that deal with air and water pollution, solid waste management, radiation control, and pesticide research. The agency promotes public health by implementing federal laws for the protection of the environment. To that end, EPA employees conduct research, set standards, and monitor the activities of various industries. The EPA is authorized to carry out its activities by virtue of 18 environmental laws. These range from the The Clean Air Act to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Also known as the "Superfund," the landmark piece of legislation has spawned endless litigation and controversy. To encourage localized environmentalism, the agency supports and coordinates research and antipollution efforts by state and local governments, civic and private groups, educational institutions, and individuals. Best possible information The EPA works out of 10 offices, each overseeing a region comprised of several states and/or U.S. territories. The agency is responsible for ensuring that federal environmental laws are implemented and enforced, that the best possible scientific information on environmental issues is available, and that every segment of society has full access to that information. In recent years however, the size of the EPA has diminished, as some members of Congress have questioned its use and purpose. Alert: dangerous industrial plants According to the Clean Air Act of 1990, the EPA is required to provide the public with worst-case estimates of the chemical hazards posed by accidental spills. There are more than 66,000 potentially dangerous industrial plants around the country. The agency initially intended to post detailed information about each plant on the Internet, but aborted those plans when the FBI, CIA, Defense, and State departments warned that offering easy access to such information would make the plants easy targets for a terrorist attack.
Most of the agency's recruiting activities are handled at the DC headquarters. Job listings are available online through the USAJOBS Web site: www.usajobs.opm.gov. Applicants can also access information by phone; the Career America Connection - (912) 744-2299 - provides information on Federal jobs worldwide, and allows users to record messages requesting employment information and applications. "Placement and internship agencies are also a good way to go," says an EPA insider, "since that gets you exposure to the agency and the system, and a chance to make contacts." Another source suggests "hooking up with your school's alumni group in DC - you may find someone who can help you." The EPA hires engineers, scientists, environmental protection specialists, attorneys and many other professionals. In order to work at the EPA "you will need to have a college degree in some scientific discipline such as engineering" claims one EPA insider. Another tells Vault.com, "a bachelor's degree in science will basically put you in a lab tech job and you can work your way up; or you get your master's or PhD and do the same." Those with "degrees in history, English, or public policy may enter into policy-oriented offices, though [these offices] often seek scientists too." The EPA encourages people to consider environmental careers with a wide variety of internships and fellowship programs. There are full- and part-time paid training programs for students; and fellowship programs for both undergraduate and graduate students in areas including Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Public Relations, and Computer Programming. Application information is available in the Human Resources and Organizational Services section of the EPA web site. One EPA employee reveals a "general rule if you plan to apply directly to government agencies - apply early." Another contact reports that "I would send out bulk applications, applying to at least 20 to 30 federal jobs at once." Another source says "it takes as long as six months to fill a position with the government because of all the paperwork." That source adds that "your best bet is to find the contact name and number on a job reference and call them." And don't be shy about it - "most people are pretty willing to talk if you call; they are generally friendly." After learning about the position, you can request an application and send it in. According to one insider, "months later, you get either a letter saying you weren't qualified or you get one saying your info has been forwarded to a selection committee." After another month, "you might get a letter saying you were not accepted, or you'll get a phone call and arrange an interview." If you make it to this stage, informants report "a formal interview with the Personnel department," which is "very paper-oriented and involves reviewing the employment forms." This is followed by "an informal meeting with the hiring office." The second round "is highly variable," notes one source. Sometimes, there are "technical seminar presentations and personal interviews with all staff members." If you are selected for a position, "there is more paperwork to fill out, sometimes a drug screening, and then training." In addition, all new hires are subject to a background check.
Not just tree-huggers Employees find that fulfilling the EPA's mission of protecting the environment is "constantly challenging" but "rewarding." Insiders claim that the EPA is "a young agency with a lot of very bright, dedicated people working for something they believe in." Though all employees share an "intense desire" to help the environment, they say that it "isn't necessary to be a tree-hugger." "As usual with DC agencies," laments a jaded insider, "there are lots of meetings that go on forever, infinite amounts of e-mail, lots of politics, and high security (badges, key cards, bag checks, and X-rays)." There are also "tons of acronyms, abbreviations, and regulations to memorize." Dirty hands, dirty feet The pay scale at the agency is "standard government scale," which insiders say is "consistently lower than what the private sector offers." Entry-level employees make "$12-$15 an hour, which translates into $25 thousand to $30 thousand per year." Mid-level workers earn between $45-60k, and "manager types" make $70-$80k. Sources point out that "we get pretty good health care and retirement plans"; and "they pay for your subway, bus, or carpool fees." Employees at the Forest Service "are paid less, but you get the same benefits, and there's less stress." Plus, "you get differential pay," an insider explains, "so you get more if you work nights or on Sundays." In addition to "getting your hands and feet dirty," those lucky foresters also "get to drive lots of puke-green jeeps." The perks The EPA is just as dedicated to quality of life among its ranks as it is to the environment. The agency's innovative Leave Sharing program allows employees to "invest" a portion of their vacation time - as insurance in case of a situation where extensive time off is necessary. That program also allows employees to donate time to help fellow employees in such situations. In addition, employees have access to free on-site counseling, and benefit from flex-time and telecommuting options, on-site medical monitoring programs, and referral systems for elder care. In other good news, an increasing number of EPA divisions are creating in-house child care centers. Cultural continuum Insiders say the EPA "has a casual government corporate culture." "There are cubicles for the masses, shared offices for the up-and-comers, and private offices for the nobles." One source describes his co-workers as "generally friendly," but comments on "the great divide between scientists, policy regulators, policy enforcers, and technical staff." The dress code is corporate casual - "nothing too formal unless you're in the higher levels." Entrenched in bureaucracy One resounding complaint is that the EPA is "entrenched in bureaucracy." "If you want to get something done," warns a contact, "plan for it to take longer than in the private sector." Another insider claims that the agency is "so overworked it is dysfunctional" and that "there's a complicated hierarchy to navigate [that is] stretched out over several buildings in the DC area." Some insiders complain that downsizing and budget cuts have "made everyone's workload heavier." One source reports that "most of the people in my office are too busy to have any down time." Employees do comment that the changes have forced the agency to "empower" individuals to make more decisions. According to one recent college grad at the agency, "you're expected to be pretty self-directed and pursue your assignments with minimal supervision." For laboratory positions, however, "there is more routine, and there are set procedures to follow." Spreading the hours Flex-time is very popular at the EPA - "lots of people work a 9-9, where you work nine hours a day for five days one week and 4 days the next, thus giving you a three day weekend every other week." Others "work a 4-10 [four ten-hour days]. "I set my own hours," notes a source, "as long as I put in 80 hours over each two-week pay period." Due to cutbacks, one contact adds, "most of the people in my office are too busy to have any down time." Diversity? No problem The EPA "is pretty good when it comes to fostering a diverse workplace." Minorities and women make up nearly 60 percent of EPA's employees, plus the company brings in "lots of speakers and highlights different groups every month." "It seems most people get along," one source comments, "at least along race/gender/class lines. Most of the rivalry is between offices with competing goals." Love to learn The agency also puts a strong emphasis on learning and career development. It encourages employees to participate in professional societies, as well as the EPA Learning Institute Program. Says one source: "If you want to move up, you'll eventually need an advanced degree." Luckily, "the EPA often pays for classes that are directly related to your work."
Human Resources (202) 260-5055 More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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