Careers and Internships
Equal Opportunity
EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for positions with the agency is based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences. On this page, you can learn:
- what we do to support a diverse workforce, and
- how we ensure equal opportunity in employment to individuals with disabilities
Supporting a Diverse Workforce
At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve.
EPA recognizes and supports a number of voluntary employee organizations, or "affinity" groups, organized around shared interests or characteristics. Below, you'll discover a few examples of the initiatives and affinity groups that support the professional and personal development of our diverse workforce.
Related Federal Government Information
- Executive Order 13515 (October 2009) (PDF) directs federal agencies to identify ways to foster the recruitment, career development, and advancement of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the federal government.
- Executive Order 13583 (August 2011) (PDF) directs federal agencies to develop plans to recruit, hire, train, develop, advance, promote, and retain a diverse workforce.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative
EPA is working to implement the goals of Executive Order 13515, to increase opportunities and improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Its long-term strategy is to promote opportunities for community partnership, economic development, education, and employment.
- Learn more about the Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative
- Read entries from our blog It's Our Environment written by Asian-American employees Sharon Lin, Pankaj Arora, Vance Fong, Andrew Chu, and Keith Takata.
Hispanic Initiative
Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing diversity group in America. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor, Hispanics are identified as one of two "severely under-represented diversity groups" in the federal government in terms of employment. At EPA, this endeavor is taken seriously. In the summer of 2007, EPA helped to author, establish, and lead a new and special partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in America - the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), to address critical issues paramount to Hispanics.
- Read entries from our blog It's Our Environment written by Hispanic employees Lisa Garcia, Jose Lozano, and Lina Younes.
Other Affinity Groups
- Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Employees (GLOBE)
- Federal Older Workers League (Fed OWL)
- Asian Pacific American Council (APAC)
- Federal Managers Association (FMA)
- Blacks in Government (BIG)
- African American Male Forum (AAMF)
- Hispanic Advisory Council (HAC)
EPA's Special Emphasis and Diversity Programs
EPA's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) manages National Special Emphasis and Diversity Programs. OCR staff develop internal equal employment opportunity policies and procedures, develop and implement training, and provide oversight and technical assistance to our headquarters program management offices, regional offices and laboratories. The programs include:
- American Indian/Alaska Native Employment Program,
- Asian American/Pacific Islander Employment Program,
- Disability Employment Program,
- Diversity Program for Older Workers,
- Diversity Program for Sexual Orientation. Black Employment Program,
- Federal Women's Program, and
- Hispanic Employment Program.