Summary
We are an independent office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 is open to
Students
Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.
Clarification from the agency
Current students enrolled at least half-time in an accredited high school, trade school, technical or vocational school, junior or community college, four-year college or university, or any other accredited educational institution.
Duties
The Environmental Protection Agency, Office Inspector General is seeking volunteers for Summer 2026. The EPA OIG offers positions for students interested in seeking valuable work experience in government and designed to complement the intern's educational pursuits while meeting the expressed needs of the agency. Volunteers have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the mission of the EPA OIG to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse.
Positions are available in the following fields:
- Administrative
- Audit
- Budget
- Human Resources
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must be age 16 or older.
- Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
- This is a temporary position (see Other Information on assignment limits).
- EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
- Background Investigation Required
- Position has portable work and selectee may be eligible to telework.
Qualifications
To be eligible for this internship opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Must be at least 16 years old.
- GPA: Must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
- Enrollment: Must be a current student enrolled at least half-time in one of the following:
- A secondary school or high school;
- A qualifying educational institution that's post-secondary, graduate school, or professional school, or an accredited post-secondary homeschool curriculum; or
- An OPM-defined certificate program (requires at least one academic year of full-time study at an accredited technical, trade, vocational, or business school).
Note on Online Learning: Students enrolled in online courses are fully eligible to participate, provided the institution is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and all other criteria are met.
Education
Applicants must maintain enrollment as a student for the full duration of the program. Individuals who graduated in Spring 2026 or are scheduled to graduate in Summer 2026 are not eligible for consideration if they do not plan to continue their education in Fall 2026.
All qualification requirements must be met within 90 days of the announcement's closing date.
Unofficial transcripts will be accepted during the application process.
All required application materials must be submitted no later than the announcement's closing date.
All education claimed by applicants is subject to verification.
Additional information
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.
Student volunteers are not eligible for federal health benefits packages. Student volunteers are eligible to participate in the agency's transit subsidy program.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application must include:
- Resume (Max 2 Pages)
- Students with non-U.S. birth documentation must submit passport or Naturalization Certificate
- Current transcripts (Unofficial is acceptable)
You will be evaluated for this position based upon information reflected in your resume and the required supporting documents.
After the closing date of the announcement, your package will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Qualified candidates will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be interviewed. Writing samples or other supporting documents may be required at that time.
To remain in consideration for this position, please ensure your resume covers this requirement and that your application has been successfully submitted as part of your on-line application.
Required Documents
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:
- Current transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) or Proof of enrollment for Fall 2026.
All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have two choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
- Download from your USAJOBS account; or
- Upload your file(s).
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.
How to Apply
You MUST apply on-line through USAJobs. Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. Uploaded resumes must include the following: applicant contact information and educational and professional background information including dates of employment and education, salary (and Federal grade level, if appropriate), and work schedule (i.e., FT/PT). Incomplete applications will not be considered and you will not be contacted to provide any missing information.
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
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.