Summary

EPA's, Office of General Counsel invites talented and diverse attorneys to apply for an Attorney-Adviser position. This position is located in the Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office (SWERLO), Washington, DC. For more information, visit our website: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-general-counsel-ogc.

This job is open to

• Federal employees - Excepted service
  
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to EPA, Office of General Counsel employees only. This is a lateral position. You will be hired at your current grade level.

Duties

About the Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office

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. OGC attorneys routinely engage in challenging issues, addressing complex, and often novel or cutting-edge legal issues. 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.

We are currently seeking to hire for one position in the Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office. We may also hire additional attorneys from this pool if additional positions become available.

Each law office in OGC 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.

SWERLO is a fast-paced law office within the Office of General Counsel and is comprised of two practice groups, each of which is led by an Assistant General Counsel. The RCRA practice group covers all aspects of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), including the subtitle C hazardous waste program, subtitle D (solid waste), and subtitle I (underground storage tanks). The CERCLA practice group covers the following statutes: CERCLA, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), Clean Water Act section 311, and the Stafford Act and associated national response framework directives.

In this position, you will:

Analyze and anticipate legal issues with a problem-solving approach to support EPA Headquarters offices (and in some cases other law offices) on a wide variety of issues within the attorney's areas of responsibility.

Conduct research of statutes, regulations, legislative history, case law, and relevant Agency guidance and actions, as needed, to address complex and difficult legal issues, either on their own or as a member of a team.

Analyze factual and legal issues presented to determine what further facts are needed and what legal sources are applicable. Initiate contacts with program officials and other persons having knowledge of the facts involved in the substantive matter or case at issue.

Provide oral and written advice and counseling in support of all EPA Headquarters program offices on a broad array of legal matters within the attorney's areas of responsibility.

Assist the U.S. Department of Justice in defending the EPA in litigation filed against the Agency in federal courts. Serve as EPA's legal counsel to ensure the Agency's views are represented in proceedings filed before courts.

Work under the general supervision of the Associate General Counsel and Deputy Associate General Counsel, as appropriate, under the guidance of one or more practice group leaders.

Perform other duties as assigned.

At EPA, you will work closely alongside others that may have different viewpoints and social identities from your own (including race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and genetic information).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required
• You must submit a resume and required documents (See How to Apply)
• You may be required to travel occasionally

Qualifications

Qualifications: Applicant must possess a J.D. degree or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of
the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.

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.

If you are selected, you must complete a one-year trial period if you have not completed this requirement.

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, and a strong customer service ethic, and an eagerness to teach and mentor. Knowledge and relevant experience in administrative law, environmental law, information law, litigation or some combination thereof, preferred but not required.

Please identify in your written statement of interest/cover letter and resume any specialized experience in administrative law, environmental law, information law and litigation, if applicable. 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 Tab.

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-11 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include performing legal analysis on complex and difficult legal issues; formulating recommendations to senior managers for review by supervisors; and preparing and assisting in filing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation. Employee must be able to conduct basic legal research and draft legal advice for EPA clients in the relevant area of law. The drafts must be complete and clear. Employee must be able to review draft regulations and guidance documents and identify basic legal issues in the relevant area of law and provide advice on how to address them with assistance from managers.

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include performing and/or directing legal analysis and developing legal opinions on complex and difficult legal issues; preparing recommendations to senior managers; and preparing and filing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation. Employee must be able to conduct thorough legal research and draft strong legal advice for EPA clients in the relevant area of law. The drafts must be complete, well-written, persuasive, and clear. Employee must be able to review draft regulations and guidance documents and identify legal issues in the relevant area of law and provide thorough and complete legal advice on how to address the issues with moderate assistance from managers.

To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include performing and/or directing legal analysis and developing legal opinions on extremely complex and difficult legal issues; preparing recommendations which are accepted as authoritative and tantamount to final Agency decisions; and preparing and filing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation. Employee must be able to conduct extensive and thorough legal research and draft comprehensive and detailed legal advice for EPA clients in the relevant area of law. The drafts must be well-written, persuasive, cover all relevant legal issues and deal with the most complex and fact intensive questions. Employee must be able to review draft regulations and guidance documents and identify complex and tricky legal issues in the relevant area of law and provide creative and ingenious legal advice on how to address the with minimal assistance from managers.

Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Environmental Protection Agency considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

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 High 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.

Additional information

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.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Documents to be submitted should be in PDF format only:
  
  
  • Resume (Please include a separate business-style resume with your application in lieu of the automated USAJobs resume).
  • Written statement (no more than two single-spaced pages) specifically addressing your qualifications for this position
  • A legal writing sample not to exceed 15 pages (for which the applicant was the primary author - with only minor (if any) edits by others). The writing sample should include a legal analysis section.
  • References (names and contact information of three professional references)
  • Copy of law school and undergraduate degree transcript (unofficial or official). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
  • Copy of bar certification
  • Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).
  
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  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.
• How to Apply
  
  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.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Angela Johnson
  
  Phone
  
  202-564-0052
  
  Fax
  202-564-7544
  Email
  
  johnson.angelaL@epa.gov
  
  Address
  
  Environmental Protection Agency
  
  1200 Pennsylvania Avenue
  
  Washington, District of Columbia 20460
  
  United States
  
  Next steps
  
  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.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted should be in PDF format only:

• Resume (Please include a separate business-style resume with your application in lieu of the automated USAJobs resume).
• Written statement (no more than two single-spaced pages) specifically addressing your qualifications for this position
• A legal writing sample not to exceed 15 pages (for which the applicant was the primary author - with only minor (if any) edits by others). The writing sample should include a legal analysis section.
• References (names and contact information of three professional references)
• Copy of law school and undergraduate degree transcript (unofficial or official). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Copy of bar certification
• Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

How to Apply

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.

Agency contact information

Angela Johnson

Phone

202-564-0052

Fax
202-564-7544
Email

johnson.angelaL@epa.gov

Address

Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, District of Columbia 20460

United States

Next steps

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.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request