Graduation Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is in Region 5, Mission Support Division, Information Management Branch, Application Management and Services Section. About Region 5: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-5.
This is an office-centered positionyou must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
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Duties
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At the highest advertised grade, you will:

• Provide maintenance for existing software to resolve problems and system failures.
• Assist higher-graded IT Specialists with design and development of efficient and effective applications through optimal use of reusable components.
• Monitor information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices to application software services for compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate activities with program staff in order to meet program needs and maintain compliance with industry and agency standards for software applications.
• Assist in the definition of projects or delivery/task orders in relation to the design, development and deployment of IT systems for providing support to the Contracting Officer Representative.

If you are hired at a lower grade level, your duties will be less complex and you will have more supervisory oversight. You may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
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.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
#LI-Onsite
You must be a U.S. citizen.
If you are selected, the entire period served under the Recent Graduates program will be a trial period.
If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed.
This position is designated as High 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.
REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.
If you are still completing coursework, offer of employment will be contingent upon completion of degree/certificate/program. Proof showing completion by August 31, 2026 will be required before entry on duty.
Qualifications
If you are qualifying on the basis of experience, you must meet the experience requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must meet the minimum proficiency level for each of the following required competencies:

• Attention to Detail (Level 3 - Intermediate)
• Customer Service (Level 2 - Basic)
• Interpersonal Skills (Level 2 - Basic)
• Reasoning (Level 2 - Basic)
• Teamwork (Level 3 - Intermediate)

In addition, you must have one of the following:

• the equivalent of 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level defined as assisting higher graded specialists to collect customer requirements and demonstrating understanding of those requirements through written communications and/or visual aids; or assisting higher graded specialists with research and evaluation of new application development methodologies and frameworks.
• 1 full year of graduate level education OR bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition); the education must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies necessary to do the work of the position
• equivalent combination of education and experience

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must meet the minimum proficiency level for each of the following required competencies:

• Attention to Detail (Level 3 - Intermediate)
• Customer Service (Level 3 - Intermediate)
• Interpersonal Skills (Level 3 - Intermediate)
• Reasoning (Level 2 - Basic)
• Teamwork (Level 3 - Intermediate)

In addition, you must have one of the following:

• the equivalent of 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level defined as assisting higher graded specialists to collect customer requirements and demonstrating understanding of those requirements through written communications and visual aids; assisting higher graded specialists with research and evaluation of new application development methodologies and frameworks.
• master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related; the education must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies necessary to do the work of the position
• equivalent combination of education and experience

NOTE: 1 year of full-time undergraduate study is 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. 1 year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study; if that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester or 27 quarter hours is considered 1 year of full-time study.
You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

• Database Management Systems*
• Software Applications and Programs*
• Coding and Scripting*

*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.
Additional information
ATTENTION VETERANS: If you are a veteran (as defined in 5 USC 2108) who, due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period (described in the "This job is open to/Clarification from the agency" section above), you have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon your release/discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may your eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date you completed the requirements for a qualifying degree or certificate or a qualifying career or technical education program.
Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.
EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify.
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.
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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.
Benefits
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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.
Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.
If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.
NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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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.