United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Planning and Management Personnel Management Division Washington DC 20460 April 1979 vvEPA 001B79100 Summer Employment Program for Youth A Guide for Managers and Supervisors ------- ------- EPA Summer Employment Program for Youth A Guide for Managers and Supervisors April 1979 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Personnel Management Division Office of Management and Agency Services Office of Planning and Management Washington, D.C. 20460 Env:-. • • :;::on Agency r> • v ------- ------- Foreword This handbook describes the Environmental Protection Agency's Sunmer Employment Program for Youth for the summer of 1979. It reiterates and supplements U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) information and regulations governing the program. Implementing programs of headquarters components and field installations should be developed along lines which will most effectively achieve the objectives of the overall program. EPA in years past has consistently had an effective summer employment program which emphasized the employment and training of enthusiastic and conmitted young men and women to further the Agency's goals. This program helps join EPA managers/supervisors and the nation's youth in their mutual efforts to curb environmental degradation and enhance the quality of life. An effective summer program for youth should take into account the students' needs as well as their capabilities. The 1979 program should continue to emphasize the importance of orientation, meaningful job assignments, youth involvement in program plans, a well balanced program of the various types of summer hires, the need for counseling, and affirmative action efforts to employ minorities and women. It is hoped that the materials in this booklet will assist EPA managers and supervisors at all levels to lend full support to the Summer Employment Program for Youth. ------- CONTENTS Foreword I. General Information Applicable to All Summer Hires Program Goals Preemployment Inquiries Restriction On Travel For Interviews Features of the 1979 Summer Program New Features of the 1979 Summer Program Application Procedures Type of Hires Equal Employment Opportunity Sons and Daughters of EPA Employees Employment Ceiling Youth Involvement Employment of Minorities and Women Recognition and Awards II. Hires from the Summer Employment Examination, Group I. Types of Skills Facts You Should Know III. Group II Summer Hires Types of Skills Facts You Should Know IV. Group III Summer Hires For Specialized Positions Types of Skills Facts You Should Knew Qualifications and Grade Levels V. Summer Aids — Employment of Needy Youths General How Needy Youths Can Apply Agency Goals Supervising a Summer Aid VT. Stay-in- School Campaign General Features of the Program Determining the Need for Earnings Relation to Summer Program VII. Federal Junior Fellows (Washington, D.C. only) General Work and Pay Levels Features of the Program VTII. Other Appointments in Support of Affirmative Action Programs Employment of Vietnam-Era Veterans Employment of the Handicapped Summary Appendix A. ------- I. GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICAPT.R TO ALL SUMMER HIRES EPA has conducted an action-oriented surrmer employment program for the past eight years. The key to a successful program is knowledge on the part of managers and supervisors of the many facets of the program. The 16 servicing personnel offices Agencywide are available for guidance and assistance and further information on the hiring and training of summer employees. Appendix A contains the addresses and telephone numbers of Summer Employment Coordinators. Program Goals With its overall mission to improve environmental quality, EPA establishes a summer employment program each year to: -provide students an opportunity to become acquainted with challenges and opportunities in Government and to participate in environmental improvement efforts at the Federal level -stimulate youths' interest in the country and in the environment specifically -train future environmentalists as scientific and planning leaders to serve as a reservoir of potential recruits -provide training and jobs for the country's young people -relieve manpower restraints on EPA by involving large numbers of young people in various part-time and full-time positions -supplement staffs with temporary help in order to ease the impact of the heavy concentration of vacation schedules during the summer period. Preemployment Inquiries Preemployment inquiries should be made of all applicants previously employed by the Federal Government. Only applicants with a satisfactory work record should be rehired. Restriction On Travel For Interviews Do not request applicants for summer employment to appear for interviews if this would require the applicant to travel beyond the commuting area of the place where he/she is residing. This restriction applies to all types of summer employment. ------- Features of the 1979 Summer Program As in the past, the Summer Employment Program is divided into five groups: Group I. Clerical jobs in grades GS-1 through GS-4 for which a clerical and verbal abilities test will be administered by the 0PM. Group II. Nonclerical jobs in GS-1 through GS-4 for which applicants apply directly to agencies. Group III. Positions in grades GS-5 and above which require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in ejqperience. Group IV. Trades and labor occupations. Group V. Programs for Needy Youth and Federal Summer Interns. Jobs in Groups II through IV are filled through agency-administered merit staffing plans. 0PM will not maintain lists of applicants for clerical or nonclerical jobs. Only clerical applicants (Group I) must take the written test, administered by 0PM which measures clerical and verbal abilities. After receiving a notice of rating, clerical applicants then apply directly to the agencies, since each agency will be maintaining its own register. Nonclerical applicants can apply directly to agencies where they wish to work. All applicants will be rated and ranked and the agency registers will be maintained in score order. For 1979 summer jobs, applicants must apply directly with each Federal agency where they wish to work. EPA personnel offices will establish its own lists of eligibles and make selections to fill summer jobs from these lists. An agency may continue to reemploy previous summer employees who were appointed on the basis of the summer written test administered after 1975. New Features of the 1979 Summer Program 1. The title "Administrative Aid/Clerk" used to describe some of the jobs in Group I has been dropped. Group I jobs are identified as Clerk-typist, Clerk-stenographer, and Clerical positions only. 2. The following occupational series covered by Group I in 1978 will be covered by Group II in 1979: Fingerprint Identification Series (GS-072) Economics Assistant Series (GS-119) Management Clerical and Assistance Series (GS-344) Accounting Technician Series (GS-525): At grade GS-4 the Accounting Technician is covered -.aider Group the Accounting Clerk, GS-525-1/2/3 is covered under Group I. 2 ------- 3. If applicant passed last year's (1978) written test, there is no need to retake the test in 1979. 4. 0PM Form 843A, "Application for Federal Summer Employment" (for Group I jobs) has been revised to include: (1) geographic availability; (2) lowest acceptable grade level; (3) telephone number where the individual can be reached; (4) a checkoff box to indicate if applicants for typist and/or stenographer positions meet the minimum skill requirements. Application Procedures 1. General If you are holding applications for possible consideration for this summer, please forward them to the Personnel Office before the deadlines for applying. If you have students you anticipate hiring, you may name request them, but be sure to do so as early as possible to allow for processing time. You may use selective factors in filling a position provided (a) the selective requirements are job related and reflected in the duties and responsibilities of the position, and (b) the requirements are necessary for satisfactory7 performance in the job to be filled. The deadline for acceptance of applications for Groups II through IV is April 16, 1979, and for Group I is May 1, 1979. No applications dated after these dates will be considered for appointment under the summer program. The summer employment program begins after May 12, 1979, and ends before October 1, 1979. 2. Written Test To be eligible to apply for summer jobs in Group I applicants must (1) pass the summer written test in 1979, or (2) have passed the summer written test in 1978. Applicants who wanted to take the written test in 1979 filed the application form included in the Summer Jobs Announcement, No. 414, or OPM Form 5000 AB with the OPM area office having jurisdiction over the place where they wished to take the test. Applicants were able to apply for the test between November 15, 1978, and January 12, 1979. Applications postmarked after January 12, 1979, were not accepted. The written test for Group I applicants was administered in January and February. Applicants who passed the summer written test in 1978 were not required to retake the test in 1979. These eligibles will be contacted by OPM to determine their interest in and availability for jobs in Group I in 1979. Eligibles who are available will be issued a new notice of written test results to be used when applying for Group I jobs. However, if an individual files a copy of his/her 1973 notice of results for a Slimmer job in 1979, this notice will be accepted. ------- Applicants for clerk-typist and clerk-stenographer positions will verify their skills in typing and/or shorthand by certifying their capability to meet or exceed 0PM standards. A performance test may be used if the test is administered to all typist and stenographer appli- cants who are within reach for appointment consideration. Typists and stenos employed as such by the Federal Government during the previous summer are not required to submit proof of proficiency. 3. For Group I (Clerical) Positions Applicants were required to file for the written test between December 15, 1978 and January 12, 1979, and then take the test in January or February. After 0PM administers the written test, the test papers are forwarded to the central office of the 0PM where they are scored. Next, 0PM sends a notice of results to each applicant. The notice sent to applicants who passed the written test indicates the grade levels for which applicants are qualified and for which consideration should be given. Applications for G^oup I jobs will be accepted by EPA between March 15 and May 1. 19/9. No applications dated after May 1 will be considered for appointment under the Summer Program. Those who passed the test must file a photocopy of their notice of rating and a copy of their "Application for Federal Summer Employment" (0PM Form 843 A) with each EPA location where they wish to work. The appropriate office will review the applications for minimum job qualification requirements and minimum standards for Federal employment, enter the names of qualified candidates on their lists of eligibles, and make selections from these lists after the May 1 deadline has passed. 4. For Group II through IV Positions Applicants for jobs in Groups II (nonclerical) through IV may file directly with agencies where they wish to work. For nonclerical positions, applicants must file a Standard Form 171, "Personal Qualifications Statement," with each EPA location where they wish to work. Their qualifications will be evaluated and qualified candidates will be entered on tiie lists of eligibles from which selections will be made. The deadline for acceptance of applications for Groups II through IV is April 16, 1979. Types of Hires The EPA Summer Hire Program provides enployment and/or training to three major categories of employees: (a) high school and college students hired through the Summer Employment Examination, (b) college students and graduates hired under EPA's merit program, and (c) economically or educationally disadvantaged youths hired under special authoriti.es. These major categories are described in more detail later in this handbook. ------- Equal Employment Opportunity It is EPA's policy to provide equal opportunity in employment for all persons, to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin, and to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a continuing affirmative action program. Sons and Daughters of EPA Employees Restrictions on the summer employment of sons and daughters of EPA employees apply in all cases except where the applicant's family meets the income criteria under the Needy Youth Program or the applicant is selected from a list of eligibles resulting from an 0PM examination, and employment has first been offered to all other available candidates with the same or higher scores. However, the children of Agency personnel are on the same footing as anyone else when applying for summer employment with government agencies other than the ones for which their parents work. Employment Ceiling All summer employees with the exception of Summer Aids and Federal Junior Fellows count against the other-than-permanent full-time (OPFT) ceiling under full-time equivalence hours (FTE). For summer hires in FY 1979, and offices planning to hire summer employees before the new fiscal year can do so only if they have vacancies within the prescribed FY '79 OPFT ceiling. Youth Involvement Some of the more successful programs over the past few years have been those which involve young people in program planning and administration. Consideration should be given to setting up program planning committees which include representatives from among young workers. Some organizations also have found it desirable to involve former summer employees or other young workers with whom summer employees can identify and communicate. Employment of Minorities and Women The summer employment program, should include affirmative action efforts to employ minority and women candidates, particularly from local colleges and universities which provide a possible source of candidates for permanent jobs after graduation. ------- Recognition and Awards The fact that sunnier employees are on temporary appointments should not deter managers and supervisors from giving them full consideration for any kind of special recognition they may earn. Rather, all EPA components are encouraged to recognize outstanding contributions from their summer employees by means of letters of commendation, cash awards, special certificates of accomplishment, etc., whenever such recognition is merited and appropriate. ------- ------- Ox ------- II. HIRES FEOM THE SUMMER EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATION — GROUP I. Types of Skills Group I jobs are in grades GS-1 through GS-4 which involve a variety of clerical work in support of office, business or fiscal operations, such as clerk-typist, clerk-stenographer, and clerk. Facts You Should Know 1. Applicants must pass a written test (administered by the U.S. OPM), and receive an eligible notice of rating from the Summer Employment Examination, Announcement No. 414, November 1978. Applicants who passed last year's summer written test were not required to retake the test in 1979. 2. In addition to passing the written test, the applicant must have experience and/or education appropriate to the kind of job for which he or she wishes to be considered in the amounts shown below: Grade Experience or Education GS-1 . None GS-2 High school graduation or 6 months experience. GS-3 1 year of college or 1 year of experience. GS-4 2 years of college or 2 years experience. 3. All undergraduates must have a notice of rating (be on the Summer Roster) unless they qualify under one of the other categories. 4. Skill in typing and stenography will not be tested in the OPM examining room. However, stenographers and typists must certify as to their proficiency in typing and stenography. This claimed proficiency may be verified at the time of appointrrent. 5. The deadline for acceptance of applications for Group I positions is May 1, 1979. No application dated after this date will be considered for appointment under the Summer Program. 6. Applicants may be hired only after May 12 and before October 1. 7. EPA will appoint students to temporary limited positions not to exceed 700 hours (Section 316.402 (a) [summer]). 3. Students count against other-than-permanent full-time (OPFT) ceiling. ------- 9. Restrictions against the employment of sons or daughters of EPA employees apply. 10. High school graduates who have not yet entered college will only be considered for Group I positions , unless they are Federal Junior Fellows or Summer Aids. 11. Minimum age requirement, established for clerical positions is 18 at time of appointment to a summer job. However, this require- ment is waived for high school graduates who are at least 16 years old at time of appointment. 12. Applicants must be citizens to apply. 13. Selective factors may be used in filling a position provided (a) the requirements of the position to be filled are job related and reflected in the duties and responsibilities of the position, and (b) the requirements are necessary for satisfactory performance in the job to be filled. Any selective factors used must be fully documented. Selections will not be made until after the May 1 deadline date has passed and the names of all qualified candidates, who applied within the filing period, have been entered on the list of eligibles. 14. Previous years' summer hires may be reemployed provided EPA initially appointed them on the basis of the summer written test administered after 1975. These individuals may be reappointed in EPA up to grade GS-4 provided they meet the qualifications requirements. The reemployment of previous years' summer hires will be temporary limited appointments, not to exceed 700 hours (316.402 (a) [summer rehire]). III. GROUP II SUMMER HIRES Types of Skills The jobs in Group II are in grades GS-1 through GS-4 and involve subprofessional, technical, or nonclerical work. The jobs require college study or experience in specific occupational fields. Facts You Should Know 1. Most positions are in grades GS-3 and GS-4. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college for GS-3 and two years of college for GS-4. 2. Applicants do not take the Summer Examination (written test). They must apply directly to EPA. 3. Typical qualifications are: 30 to 60 semester hours — GS-3 over 60 semester hours — GS-4 ------- 4. May be hired after May 12 and before October 1, 1979. 5. Total work is limited to 700 hours. 6. Students count against OPFT ceiling. 7. Restrictions against the employment of sons or daughters of EPA employees apply. 8. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. 9. Jobs filled through an agency-administered merit plan. 10. Applicants for these positions must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment, whether or not they are high school graduates, and must meet physical conditions, and suitability requirements. 11. The deadline for acceptance of applications for Group II positions is April 16, 1979. IV. GROUP III. SUMMER HIRES FOR SPECIALIZED POSITIONS GS-5 AND ABOVE Types of Skills These positions involve professional and administrative duties usually in the physical sciences, biological sciences, or engineering. Facts You Should Know 1. Applicants do not take the summer examination. They must apply directly to EPA. 2. Positions are in grades GS-5 through GS-12. 3. Total work is limited to 700 hours after May 12th and before October 1, 1979. 4. Students count against OPFT ceiling. 5. Restrictions on the employment of sons and daughters apply. 6. Students may be direct hired. 7. Jobs are filled through an agency-administered merit plan. 8. Applicants must be citizens. 9. Applicants for these positions must meet physical conditions and suitability requirements. 10. The deadline for acceptance of applications for Group III positions is April 16, 1979. ------- Qualifications and Grade Levels Applicants must be college graduates, graduate students, faculty members or possess the equivalent experience in fields related to EPA's work. The following table shows the general requirements which must be met to qualify for the grades covered in this group. Grade Education Required GS-5 4 years college GS-7 1 year graduate work (30 semester hours) GS-9 Master's degree or 2 years graduate work (60 semester hours) (Law students with 2 years law school only qualify for GS-7). GS-11 Doctoral degree GS-12 Doctoral degree — research position only V. SUMMER AIDS - EMPLOYMENT OF NEEDY YOUTHS General Needy youths who are employed under this program have the oppor- tunity to make use of the skills they already have, and, through special training and on-the-job experience, are able to develop new skills. Youths employed as summer aids are hired at the minimum pay scale. They are certified to the Agency by the State Employment Service, or through the Mini-Employment Center at their schools as being economically deprived and need the earnings from their summer employment to continue their education. Students may work after May 12 and before October 1. Summer Aids do not count against EPA's ceiling. How Needy Youths Can Apply Young people who are interested in these summer jobs should register with the local office of their State Employment Service. The address in each community can be found in local telephone directories under the State Government listings. Agency Goals The Federal Goal, used as a general guide in EPA, is the employment of one needy youth for every 40 regular employees. This includes youths employed during the school year under the Stay-in-School Campaign whose duty hours are extended to 40 hours a week and youths employed under the Federal Junior Fellowship Program. (Both of these programs are described further in this booklet.) 10 ------- Supervising a Summer Aid Because it is important that supervisors understand the Summer Aid Program and their significant role in its success, we are reproducing in part below 0PM Pamphlet BRE-49 "So You're Going to Supervise a Surmer Aid!" This material was developed to explain the purpose and operation of the Summer Aid Program and to offer some tips on hew to make this summer's experience more rewarding for both you and your Summer Aid. 1. Background The Summer Aid Program was first initiated in the spring of 1965. Each summer since then, it has opened the way for large numbers of needy youths to work in Federal agencies. The three main goals have remained fairly constant: - To give economically and educationally deprived young people a chance to "break into" the world of work; - To give them a chance to earn money for school and their families; - To develop knowledges, skills and attitudes that will help them become useful and productive adults. 2. Work Preparation and Indoctrination By the time your Summer Aid reports for duty, you should have thought about what kind of work assignment you might want to give. Most will have to be of a relatively routine nature. Without further education or the opportunity for training, there's a limit to the level at which the Summer Aid can be expected to work. Avoid making any final decisions on your Aid's work assignments until you've had a chance to meet and talk with him/her. In making assignments, you'll need to consider the nature of the work involved as well as the special characteristics of your employee. Thus, an Aid who has had good grades and an interest in mathematics might adjust better to work that requires careful attention to detail than one who has not. You may find, unfortunately, that a shortage of possible jobs for your Aid will prevent you from taking such considerations into account. When your new employee reports for work, your first job will be to interview him/her carefully. Find out as much as you can about strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Always try to encourage questions, and avoid doing most of the talking yourself. You'll find out a lot more about the Aid if, for example, you first ask "What do you know about what we expect from our employee,?" rather than simply talking about hours of duty, sick leave, lunch periods, etc. The impression you make in this first talk with your Summer Aid will usually have a lasting impact on the kind of worker he/she ------- becomes. An orientation check-list follows to aid you in covering appropriate topics. Summer Aid Orientation Check List Prepare for the employee. - Decide the general area(s) of the Aid's work and responsibility. - Discuss these plans with others in the office. Welcome the new employee. - Introduce the Aid to co-workers and explain their jobs. - Show the Aid the work area. - Arrange for a regular employee to serve as a "buddy." - Try to put the Aid at ease. Explain the work of the unit. - Functions of the office. - Functions of the organization. - How the Aid's job relates to others in the unit. Explain office facilities. - Explain where and how to get supplies. - Point out elevators, washrooms, cafeterias, etc. Explain rules, regulations, and job requirements. - Hours of work. - Lunch period. - Using the telephone. - What should be done if the Aid must come in late, or not at all. - Leave regulations. - Performance requirements. Instruct the Aid about the job. - Explain fully the job assignments and what the Aid is responsible for. - Indicate to whom he/she can go for information or assistance and explain to whom, he/she reports. Introducing your new employee to the job is the most important phase of orientation. This will be your opportunity to interest the employee in the work and to establish an effective working relationship. For most of us, work occupies a central place in our lives. A teenager, however, will not yet have his/her attitudes toward work fully molded. Although most Summer Aids will come to work eager to learn about their jobs and anxious to please, they will feel uncomfortable in their new surrounding until they've found out what's expected of them. 12 ------- Here are sane suggestions for orienting your employee to the new job and motivating him/her to perform well. * Set aside a block of time that will permit uninterrupted instruction. * Break the job into teaching units. Arrange these units in an order that will help the Aid learn as quickly and easily as possible. * Identify the elements that "make or break" the job and stress them in your instructions. * Encourage feedback to insure that the employee understands what you are saying. After you have finished describing each step, have him/her show you how it is done and tell you what he/she has just done and why. * Repeat your instructions where necessary. You may also need to demonstrate the job to the new employee. If you're giving a lot of detailed information, be sure to provide a written guide or let the Aid take notes. Include the WHY when you explain the WHAT and HOW of the job. Let him/her know how your office is organized, what its functions are, and how his/her work contributes to the goals you're expected to accomplish. Like any other employee, your Summer Aid will perform better if he/she feels the duties are important to the work of your office or organization. To encourage accuracy: You'll be better able to impress the importance of accurate work on your Aid if you emphasize that doing things right the first time will make his/her own work easier later. If the work includes filing duties, for example, the Aid readily will see that quick retrieval of material from the files depends on how accurately it has been alphabetized and filed initially. * In the beginning, at least, you probably won't be able to expect both quality and quantity in your Aid's work. Decide which is more important, and make sure that he/she understands. Once the Aid has achieved an acceptable level in one respect, he/she can concentrate on improving the other. 3. Proper Attention Your Summer Aid will normally require less close supervision as the summer passes. As he/she grows in skill and self-confidence, the Aid will begin to show initiative and do things beyond the minimum you've instructed him/her to do. Not all Summer Aids, of course, will reach this stage within the three-month period. But if the experience of past supervisors is any guide, most will perform a? regular members of the work team by summer's end. The effort you put into training and supervising your Aid will almost, always repay itself 13 ------- Make sure your Summer Aid has enough work to keep him/her busy. In a poll of previous Summer Aids, 20 percent said that they had insufficient work to do and, as a result, were often bored. None complained of being overworked. Go out of your way once in a while to assign a job that will be sure to challenge and interest your Summer Aid. He/She may be relatively untrained, but there's also a good chance he/she has useful native talents or an ability to learn quickly. Unless the Aid gets an opportunity to stretch his/her abilities, however, he/she is likely to develop neither useful skills nor a positive attitude toward work. And you risk wasting potential that could be put to good use in your office. Finally, there's no substitute for shewing a personal interest in your summer employee, and recognizing accomplishments. Summer workers may qualify for the same kinds of formal recognition as regular employees — certificates of achievement, cash awards, etc. But remember ... in the end, it's the day-to-day encouragement you give that will count. 4. Future Consideration If your Summer Mo works out well this summer and will be resuming studies in the fall, lie/she may be given an opportunity to continue working under the Stay-iri-Scriool Program. To be eligible, the student: (1) must have an acceptable academic standing and must maintain it while working, and (2) must need the earnings to stay in school. Stay-in-Schoolers receive job assignments similar to those for Summer Aids, but may work for no more than 16 hours a week when school is in session. Contact your personnel office if you think your Summer Aids should be considered for this program or other future employment. If they can't be used in your office, the personnel office will try to place them elsewhere in the agency. VI. STAY-IN-SCHOOL CAMPAIGN General For more than a decade, the Federal Government has been encouraging youths to continue or resume their education by way of the Stay-in-School Campaign. Employers have been providing part-time jobs to disadvantaged youths when employment might make the difference between a student's staying in school or dropping out. To facilitate employment in Federal agencies, the Office of Personnel Management established a special excepted appointment authority, Schedule A, Section 213.3102 (W) . Features of the Stay-in-School Program (1) Appointments are part-time or intermittent positions venose duties are of a routine nature,. •2} Appointments are made for one year or less but may be extended if the conditions for initial appointment are still rret. 14 ------- (3) Appointees must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a high school or institution of higher learning accredited by a recognized accrediting body. (4) Employment cannot exceed 16 hours in any calendar week when school is in session, or 40 hours in any calendar week which falls within a vacation period. (5) While employed, the appointee must continue to maintain an acceptable school standing. (6) Appointees must be at least age 16. (7) They must need the earnings to stay in school. (8) Pay is fixed at a level commensurate with the duties assigned, or if unclassified, at the local minimum wage rate. (9) Restrictions against the employment of sons or daughters of EPA employees apply. (10) Appointments do not count against the Agency's ceiling. Determining the Need for Earnings In determining whether a student needs the earnings to continue in school, any of the following criteria might be appropriate: if the student's family is eligible for benefits of private or public welfare programs; when the student's school or a welfare agency provides a statement of the student's need; or when other reliable sources can document an individual student's case showing a need for earnings from employment to stay in school. , Relation to Summer Programs While the Stay-in-School Campaign is not specifically a summer program, since appointments can be made all year, the vast majority of candidates become available during the summer between school terms. To the extent practical, this program should be utilized in lieu of summer appointment authorities when the Agency's needs are continuing and all of the program's requirements are met. VII. FEDERAL JUNIOR FELLOWS (Washington, D.C. only) General The Federal Junior Fellowship Program is designed to provide Federal job opportunities for outstanding, college-bound high school seniors who need earnings from such employment to heip meet ccilege costs. It •provides selected high school seniors with career related work experience :,/;•! Federal agencies during summers and other vacation periods while they . i co 1 leqe. 15 ------- EPA first participated in the Federal Junior Fellowship Program in 1971, The program is designed to provide first-hand knowledge in the technical and socio-political areas which impact on the environment. The Federal Junior Fellowship Program is a pilot program which can only be utilized in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Appointments made under this program do not count against the Agency's ceiling. Each year the Office of Personnel Management asks officials at local high schools to nominate several seniors as candidates for the Federal Junior Fellowship Program. EPA officials evaluate each applicant separately, taking into account such considerations as degree of financial need, academic achievements, counselors' and teachers' evaluations, and performance in an interview. Students in the Junior Fellowship Program, unlike other summer employees, are hired with the expectation that they will return to work each summer and vacation period throughout their undergraduate study. Work and Pay Levels Junior Fellows are appointed at the GS-2-4 levels, with salaries being paid by the participating EPA office. The work assigned to a Junior Fellow may include some routine clerical work in the first two years but rarely in the last two years. Junior Fellows should be assigned progressively responsible work each year commensurate with their increasing knowledge and ability. Features of the Federal Junior Fellowship Program (1) Students are graduating high school seniors who are going on to college. (2) Students must rank in the upper 10% of their class. (3) Students must need the earnings from their summer employment to pursue a college education. (4) 0PM contacts the participating schools. (5) Schools will nominate the eligible students, but EPA officials make the final selections. (6) Positions are matched with anticipated college majors. (7) Students are not separated at the end of the summer; they are placed on leave without pay and may return to duty during vacation periods. Each summer the appointment is extended and the student is promoted until he reaches grade GS-4. (8) Employment nay not exceed 1C40 working hours per year. 16 ------- (9) Students do not count against ceiling. (10) New students are hired into the program after May 12 and before October 1 each year. VIII. OTHER APPOINTMENITS IN SUPPORT OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS Employment of Vietnam-Era Veterans and Disabled Veterans Agencies are authorized to hire eligible veterans under temporary limited appointment without regard to the Summer Employment Examination. EPA managers and supervisors are encouraged to use this authorization (VRA) to provide initial employment for Vietnam-Era veterans. (See FPM chapter 316, paragraph 4-8i and Chapter 332, appendix J, paragraph 3F (3), and 0PM Bulletin 307-13.) Employment of Handicapped Youth EPA managers and supervisors are also encouraged to provide summer employment opportunities for the mentally retarded and persons with severe physical handicaps. Those who meet the needs criteria are appointed under section 213.3102(v) of Schedule A. Agencies may continue during the summer to provide initial or trial appointments for handicapped persons under the delegated authority to make 700-hour appointments when applicants do not meet the needs criteria for employment as Summer Aids. Mentally retarded applicants who do meet the needs criteria of the Summer Aid Program may be appointed under section 213.3102(t) of Schedule A. EPA Selective Placement Coordinators can advise further as to the use of these authorities. SUMMARY One underlying concept is true for all aspects of the Summer Employment Program: it should provide young employees — from the Summer Aid to the third-year law student — with meaningful work. Meaningful work is not "made work." It is necessary work, work that contributes to the Agency's mission. Just as important is the need that summer employment plans provide for consideration of all persons, including minorities, women, the handicapped, and the Vietnam-Era and Disabled Veterans. 17 ------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PERSONNEL OFFICES Summer Employment Coordinators Agency Coordinator Region I Serving States: Conn., Ma., Mass., N.H., R.I., Vt. Region II Serving States: N.J., N.Y., P.R., Virgin Is. Region III Serving States: Del., Md., Pa., Va., W. VA. Region IV Serving States: Ala., Fla., Ga., Ky., Miss., Term. N.C., S.C. Region V Serving States: 111., Ind., Minn., Mich., Ohio, Wise. Thomas Wyvill Employment & Special Programs Officer Environmental Protection Agency Personnel Management Division 401 M. Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Telephone: 8-755-2719 Personnel Office ATTN: Georgianna Bishop Environmental Protection Agency John F. Kennedy Bldg. Boston, Mass. 02203 Telephone: 8-223-7215 Personnel Office ATTN: Andy Porcelli Environmental Protection Agency 26 Federal Plaza New York, N.Y. 10007 Telephone: 8-264-0593 Personnel Office ATTN: Henrietta Moore Environmental Protection Agency Curtis Bldg., 6th & Walnut Streets Philadelphia, Pa. 19106 Telephone: 8-597-8925 Personnel Office ATTN: Belinda Linsey Environmental Protection Agency 345 Courtland Street, N.E. Atlanta, Ga. 30308 Telephone: 8-257-3486 Personnel Office ATTN: Rick Slagle Environmental Protection Agency 230 S. Dearborn Street Chicago, 111. 60604 Telephone: 8-353-2026 18 ------- Region VI Serving States: Ark., La., N.M., Tx., Okla. Region VII Serving States: Iowa, Kan., Mo., Neb. Region VIII Serving States: Colo., Mont., N.D., S.D., Utah, Wyoming Region IX Serving States: Az., Guam, Ca., Nev., Ha., Am., Samoa, Wake Is., Trust Territories Region X Serving States: Idaho, Ore., Wa., Alaska Headquarters Serving Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. LABS Cincinnati, Ohio Personnel Office ATTN: Billie Jones Environmental Protection Agency 1201 EM Street, 1st International Bldg. Dallas, Texas 75270 Telephone: 8-729-2712 Personnel Office ATTN: Carolyn Thorp Environmental Protection Agency 324 E. llth Street Kansas City, Mo. 64106 Telephone: 8-758-2366 Personnel Office ATTN: Jill Van Duyne Environmental Protection Agency Lincoln Tower Bldg. 1860 Lincoln Street Denver, Colo. 80203 Telephone: 8-327-2725 Personnel Office ATTN: Christopher Arntzen Environmental Protection Agency 215 Fremont St. San Francisco, California 94105 Telephone: 8-556-0961 Personnel Office ATTN: Delores White Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Sixth Ave. Seattle, Wa. 98101 Telephone: 8-399-1240 Personnel Office ATTN: Amy Kearns Environmental Protection Agency 401 M. Street S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Telephone: 8-755-0614 Personnel Office ATTN: Nancy Foster Environmental Protection Agency 26 W. St. Clair ------- Research Triangle Park Durham, North Carolina Las Vegas, Nevada Ann Arbor, Michigan National Enforcement Investigative Center Personnel Office ATTN: Beth Williamson Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711 Telephone: 8-629-3014 Personnel Office ATTN: Susan Hager Environmental Protection Agency P.O. Box 15027 Las Vegas, Nevada 89114 Telephone: 8-595-2969 Personnel Office ATTN: Mary Norris Environmental Protection Agency Mobile Source Pollution Control Programs 2565 Plymouth Rd. Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 Telephone: 8-374-8258 Personnel Office ATTN: Les Ogden P.O. Box 25227 Denver Federal Center Denver, Colo. 80225 Telephone: 8-234-4065 20 ------- |