Intergovernmental Relations Specialist (GS-13)

Summary

This announcement has been amended to extend the closing date to 10/23/2026. This position is in the Office of the Administrator (AO), Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, Intergovernmental Relations Division. About this organization: AO This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

Duties

You will: Build relationships with state and local officials to advance reauthorization and amendments of Agency mandates and develop and evaluate communication strategies to convey priorities and solicit feedback. Serve as the Agency liaison to state and local officials, coordinating EPA engagement on policies and programs through technical assistance, briefings, and meetings with external stakeholders. Collaborate across EPA programs and regions to strengthen partnerships and support policy and implementation. Identify strategic priorities, recommend stakeholder engagement approaches, and coordinate partnership efforts with state and local officials to support cooperative federalism. Develop and maintain a network of external stakeholders through outreach, coalition-building, and engagement activities, including meetings, conferences, webinars, speaking engagements, and written communications to keep partners informed on programs, policies, and regulatory issues. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Qualifications

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as analyzing environmental policy, legislative, or regulatory issues; providing advice, recommendations, and/or communications to support leadership and agency priorities; and developing and maintaining partnerships through coalition-building and collaborative problem-solving to advance organizational goals and support intergovernmental relations. You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully: Political Savvy* Data Literacy and Analysis* Environmental Laws and Regulations Oral Communication Written Communication Stakeholder Management* Teamwork Organizational Awareness *You will be evaluated on these critical competencies. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. *If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.

Requirements

#LI-DNI You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualification requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses (if applicable) to all assessments required for this position. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13063046 If you are eligible for consideration, one or more subject matter experts will systematically review your resume to assess the degree to which your background matches the competencies required for successful performance in this position (see the Qualifications section for a list of the critical competencies being evaluated). Based on the assessment ratings, a score will be calculated to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates. NOTE: Cheating (including the use of a consultant or an AI tool to assist you) on any assessment may result in your removal from consideration for this job. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments by the selecting official (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.).

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin your application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires and assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in this section (How to Apply) and the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the day the announcement closes to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply button at the top of the announcement. Follow the prompts to sign in. Answer the questions presented in the application and upload all required supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button by 11:59 PM (ET) on the day the announcement closes. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Agency contact listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and you must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. Resume Requirements: Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. If you correctly submit a 2-page (or less) resume and also submit a longer resume, we will only review the 2-page resume. If the only resume you submit exceeds 2 pages, you will be removed from consideration for this position. See OPM 2-Page Resume Guidance for information on maximizing the content of your resume. Resume must be legible so we can review for eligibility, minimum qualifications, and any other position requirements listed in this announcement. See USAJOBS Resume Info for additional guidance and information about the recommended formatting (e.g., file type, font size/type, margins). To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit How to View Status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status (if applicable), and your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Other information

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section). announcement. If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility. This position is not in the bargaining unit. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job. The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you. If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at disabilityaccommodations@epa.gov. If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you. Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.