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EPA’s Office of General Counsel invites talented and diverse attorneys to apply for an Attorney-Adviser position. Currently, we are hiring one attorney each for four offices, but may hire additional people for those and other offices from this applicant pool should any vacancies occur before our next hiring cycle, projected June 2022. For more information, visit our website: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-general-counsel-ogc
Learn more about this agency01/18/2022 to 02/04/2022
$74,950 - $116,788 per year
GS 11 - 12
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel less than 1 to 5 days per month.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
14 - When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.
No
No
OGC-2022-0005
631667400
OGC serves as the chief legal advisor to the Agency's senior management and program offices on Agency rules, permits, response actions, implementation actions, litigation and legislation. OGC lawyers also work with attorneys in the Department of Justice to represent the Agency in defensive litigation in the federal courts. Some offices within OGC independently handle litigation in front of the Environmental Appeals Board to defend EPA actions such as pesticide decisions in formal hearings. We routinely engage in challenging issues, addressing complex, and often novel or cutting-edge legal issues. OGC attorneys assume great responsibility and quickly become national experts in their assigned areas. They also develop strong analytical, problem solving and communications skills while working closely with their program policy clients, other OGC colleagues, other agencies, and outside stakeholder groups. OGC prides itself on its core values of excellence, community, work-life balance, integrity, empowerment and responsibility, and respect.
The Attorney-Adviser works under the supervision of the Associate General Counsel and/or the Deputy Associate General Counsel. We are currently seeking to hire four attorneys, one for each of the following law offices: Air and Radiation, Cross-Cutting Issues, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, and Water Law Office. Each law office consists of practice groups that provide legal counsel to EPA Headquarters, regional offices, and some field offices concerning the environmental statutes and administrative law related to that particular law office.
The Air and Radiation Law Office consists of six practice groups that provide legal counsel to EPA Headquarters and regional offices on several federal environmental statutes governing air quality and related issues, including the Clean Air Act, the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, the Atomic Energy Act, and the Noise Control Act.
The Cross Cutting Issues Law Office consists of three practice groups that provide legal counsel on a variety of areas of law, including: International Environmental Law, Administrative Law, the National Environmental Policy Act, Environmental Justice, Indian Law, Scientific Integrity, and Children’s Health. For the current position being filled, experience with international law is preferred.
The Pesticides and Toxic Substances Law Office consists of three practice groups that provide legal counsel primarily to EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which includes the Office of Pesticide Programs and the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, on issues arising under the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (which section is otherwise known as the Toxics Release Inventory), and the Pollution Prevention Act.
The Water Law Office consists of three practice groups that provide legal counsel to EPA Headquarters and regional offices on several federal environmental statutes governing water protection, including the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
In this position, you will:
As required by Executive Order 14043, if you are selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by 11/22/21, or before onboarding with the agency if after 11/22/21, except in limited circumstances. For information about COVID-19 workplace safety at EPA, as well as resources and health and safety guidance, visit COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace.
Conditions of Employment
Applicant must have an LL.B. or J.D. degree from an accredited law school; must be admitted to practice before the highest court of a State, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and must maintain active status as a member of the bar of one of these jurisdictions. Incumbent should have experience in providing legal advice and counsel at EPA, other federal, state or local agencies, or courts, non-governmental organizations, or in private practice, demonstrating competencies relevant to the duties of the position listed above..
If you are selected, you must complete a one-year trial period.
The ideal candidate will have a very strong academic and employment record, including evidence of nuanced legal analysis with respect to both statutory construction and applicable case law, excellent research and writing skills, superior oral and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, initiative and self-motivation, the ability to work effectively in a team and independently, a commitment to public service, mature judgement, and the ability to work with diverse persons and perspectives. Knowledge and relevant experience in administrative or environmental law, or both, preferred but not required.
Your written statement of interest is very important to us. Please identify in your written statement of interest/cover letter and resume any specialized experience in administrative and environmental law, if applicable. Also identify if you have any preferences among the law offices, are interested in only certain positions, or want to be considered for all open positions, including positions that may become available in the future (before our next hiring cycle). Note: Applicants must include a separate business-style resume with your application in lieu of the automated USAJobs resume. This document should be uploaded as part of your complete application packet described below under the supporting documentation.
To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have an LL.M degree or at least one year of post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-9 grade level (must have J.D., duly licensed and a member of bar in good standing). Examples of specialized experience include: law clerk experience at the Federal, state or local level, performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation.
To qualify for the GS-12 level, you should have two (2) or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, at least one of which included specialized experience at, or equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation. More information on GS levels for the 0905 Attorney position are available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-general-schedule-positions/standards/0900/gs0905.pdf.
If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form prior to your first day of employment and annually thereafter.
This position is designated as a Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
Diversity and Inclusion
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. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. You can also hear a diverse group of attorneys talk about their careers at EPA on the Legal Careers at EPA Webinar.
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience will be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. For more information, visit https://hru.gov/Studio_Recruitment/tools/Mythbuster_on_Federal_Hiring_Policies
These positions are in the bargaining unit.
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: http://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures.
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.
Position has portable work and selectee may be eligible to telework.
This position is in the excepted service. Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status; however, this position is covered for the purpose of federal retirement and benefits.
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 above.
If you are selected, you will be expected to report to work as soon as practical but no later than thirty (30) days from the date you receive a final job offer. Extension of this reporting requirement may be granted only under extraordinary circumstances.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Initially, you will be evaluated based on the information contained in your resume packet. If an interview is granted, you will be evaluated based on the responses you provide during an interview. In responding to interview questions, you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did and the outcome.
There is no numerical rating system for applying veteran’s preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Office of General Counsel considers veteran’s preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
Documents to be submitted should be in PDF format only.
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.
Please completely read through this announcement before applying. Please do not mail in your information. All required documents must be uploaded to this job vacancy announcement by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement.
The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/631667400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Earth Day is every day at EPA! At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans, and you’ll discover that EPA is one great place to work! We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career--we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
