Duties

Summary

The EPA Office of Inspector General provides independent, objective and impactful oversight to detect and deter fraud, waste, and abuse in EPA programs and operations. The OIG strives for continuous improvement in the efficiency, and effectiveness of the EPA OIG's management and programs operations. OIG staff are respected and sought after by the Agency and other customers. The OIG is an agent of positive change and agency of choice for driving accountability and trust in federal programs.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Assistant Inspector General for Investigations has "the responsibility for supervising the performance of investigative activities relating to [the] programs and operations [of the establishment]." In this capacity, the AIG supervises and directs the OIG's Office of Investigations, which conducts criminal and civil investigations of, among other things, allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to EPA programs and operations, such program fraud, electronic or cyber crimes or intrusions, or public corruption. Also, the AIG is the principal advisor to the Inspector General on all matters related to criminal and civil investigations and is one of the IG's key leadership partners.

The AIG's duties include:

• Advising the IG, Deputy IG, and Associate DIG on program matters relating to prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse related to the EPA's programs and operations.
• Supervising and directing criminal and civil investigations related to the EPA's programs and operations, such as program fraud, electronic or cybercrimes or intrusions, or public corruption.
• Ensuring that all OI operations are conducted according to the mission, objectives, values, expected behavior, and principles of the OIG.
• Promoting the use of innovative techniques and approaches to plan, direct, prioritize, schedule, and conduct criminal and civil investigations by the OI.
• Instituting the organization's system for ensuring investigations are conducted according to relevant standards, policies, procedures, and performance measures, such as the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Quality Standards for Investigations.
• Developing and implementing performance-based metrics for the Office of Investigations that are effective measurements of mission accomplishment, such as quality and timeliness of work product.
• Serving as the principal representative of the OIG on matters related to criminal or civil investigations to the EPA, offices of inspector general, law enforcement organizations, and other relevant agencies.
• Coordinating with the EPA, offices of inspector general, law enforcement organizations, and other relevant agencies to conduct, when appropriate, inter-agency investigations.
• Working with other OIG senior leadership to ensure that the OIG is accomplishing its mission through, among other things, the effective and efficient allocation of resources, the proper prioritization of projects and investigations and projects, and the development of OIG-wide strategic plans.
• Analyzing new or revised laws, regulations, and rules to determine their relevance to the OI's criminal and civil investigative work and supervise staff in implementing new guidance.
• Performing other duties as directed by the Inspector General.

The AIG reports to the IG, although direct supervision may be delegated to the DIG or ADIG. The AIG, in turn, supervises directly or indirectly a committed team of deputy assistant inspectors general, special agents in charge, assistant special agents in charge, special agents, and attorney-advisors located in Washington, DC, and other offices geographically dispersed throughout EPA regions.

Develops and institutes a networking process with a wide variety of stakeholders and customers including: OIG components, EPA and other Federal managers, Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), State and Local government offices, Congress, Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys, and other interested parties. Advocates building controls into new and existing programs to deter fraud and abuse and to improve Agency programs. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level individuals, including Members of Congress and their staff, other legislative and executive agencies. Establishes and maintains close and cooperative working relationships with all levels or EPA department management and officials, government agencies, and other institutions with related interests, in order to advance the programs and objectives of EPA OIG.

Provides convincing and legally sound written reports and oral presentations about complex fraud or other criminal schemes for internal and external audiences. Responds to Agency and congressional inquiries. Serves as the primary adviser on OIG's investigation program and activities. Leads and coaches teams of professionals with diverse experience and educational backgrounds. Ensures staff collectively possess and maintains the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan and carry out investigations. Encourages innovative and creative problem solving by empowering individual investigative teams to plan, develop, conduct, and report on Investigative efforts.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Less than 25%

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment

• U.S Citizenship Required.
• Background Investigation Required.
• Appointment to this position is subject to EPA OIG approval.

This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the tentative employment offer may be withdrawn.

A public financial disclosure statement is required upon appointment into the SES. This statement will be used to avoid conflicting situations in employment through advice and counseling. You will need to provide the information annually.

One year probationary period required for initial SES appointment.

The selectee will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.

Qualifications

All applicants must submit a separate written narrative response to each of the following ECQs. Additional information is available at: ECQ Information . Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Results model. It is recommended that you draft your ECQs in a Word document and then insert the responses into our system (limit of 6,400 characters per narrative).

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS DEFINITIONS:

ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE. The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE. The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. The ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Non-competitive applicants do not need to submit ECQ narratives but you must clearly state your status in your resume and submit a written narrative response to the Technical Qualifications.

Proof of non-competitive eligibility is required. The agency has the option of considering you noncompetitively or including you in the competitive process. You are considered a non-competitive applicant if you are a current career Senior Executive, Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certified graduate of a Senior Executive (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) or an individual with SES reinstatement eligibility. You may be considered non-competitively for appointment to this position if you meet the mandatory technical qualifications requirements.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: In addition, all applicants must submit a separate written narrative response to each of the following MTQs. Please give examples and explain how often you used your skills, the complexity of the knowledge possessed, the level of people you interacted with, the sensitivity of the issues you handled managing a large public or private sector organization that administers complex, rules-based benefits or services, etc. It is recommended that you draft your MTQs in a word document and then insert into our system (limit of 6,400 characters for each narrative).

MTQ 1. Expert knowledge and experience in the field of investigations and law enforcement, including the development and use of proactive investigative strategies, such as data analytics or forensic analysis, to further the work of a law enforcement organization.

MTQ 2. Demonstrates an enterprise-wide perspective in planning for and leading a Federal law enforcement organization that conducts complex criminal and civil investigations.

Education

This position does not have a mandatory education requirement.

Additional information

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references 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.

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System , or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

Criminal Investigators - Special Provisions

Medical Requirements: You must be found to be physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties.

Age Requirements: You must be at least 21 years of age and not older than 36 at the time of appointment. In accordance with PL 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirements provisions; therefore, you must be appointed before reaching your 37th birthday unless you presently serve or have previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement retirement-covered position.

Law Enforcement Training: You must have successfully completed the 9-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Basic Criminal Investigator training program at Glynco, GA (or equivalent). You must pass the training program on the first attempt or you will be removed from this position and failure may result in separation from the Agency. You are exempt from this training if you have previously completed the program.

You must meet qualifications to carry a firearm. Lautenberg Notice: Title 18 USC, Section 911 (g), automatically disqualifies anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from being appointed to this position. You must not have been convicted of a felony crime.

You must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

This is a secondary law enforcement officer position under the law enforcement retirement system. To meet the qualification requirements of this position, applicants must possess prior experience investigating, apprehending, or detaining criminals or criminal suspects.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants will be rated and ranked by the Executive Resources Board (ERB) using only the information submitted for consideration. Applicants are to separately address the ECQs (unless exempted) and the Technical Qualifications question listed in the announcement by documenting demonstrated experience, training, and/or education. Applicants who do not separately address the required qualifications will be ineligible for consideration. The ERB will rate and rank each applicant based on the qualification requirements and refer the top candidates to the selecting official. The selecting official will consider the best qualified applicants referred based on the information provided, and possibly a personal interview. The ERB will approve the final selection and forward to the Inspector General. In competitive cases, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will certify qualifications through the OPM Qualifications Review Board.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

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.

A complete application includes: 1. Resume; 2. Vacancy question responses; and 3. Submission of any required documents.

If you are a current or former federal employee you must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block34). Indicate on your application the highest permanent grade you have held; if this grade is different from your current grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing this grade.

Veterans' preference is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

Proof of non-competitive eligibility (if applicable). Proof consists of an SF-50 showing career status in the SES and/or proof of certification of your Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) from the OPM administered Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

Non-Competitive Consideration: You are considered a non-competitive applicant if you are a current career Senior Executive, Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certified graduate of a Senior Executive (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) or an individual with SES reinstatement
eligibility. You may be considered non-competitively for appointment to this position if you meet the mandatory technical qualifications requirements. Non-competitive applicants do not need to submit ECQ narratives but you must clearly state your status in your resume and submit a written narrative response to the Technical Qualifications. Proof of non-competitive eligibility is required. The agency has the option of considering you noncompetitively or including you in the competitive process.

All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:

Download from your USAJOBS account; or

Upload your file(s); or

Fax using the online Fax Cover Sheet.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.