This position is in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Pesticides and Toxic Substances Law Office (PTSLO). About: OGC Please see the duties section for more details about PTSLO. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Duties
PTSLO provides legal counsel to EPA Headquarters and regional offices on a diverse set of issues arising under several federal environmental statutes governing pesticides, toxic substances, and pollution prevention, including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). More specifically, PTSLO supports the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) within OCSPP, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) on legal and enforcement-related issues that arise in the context of administering the TSCA, which provides EPA with broad authority to regulate, among other things and through a variety of mechanisms, new and existing chemical substances. PTSLO also supports OCSPP, the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) within OCSPP, and OECA on legal and enforcement-related issues that arise in the context of administering the FIFRA and the FFDCA, under which EPA registers pesticides and establishes tolerances for pesticide residues in or on food. Finally, PTSLO supports OCSPP, OPPT, and OECA on legal and enforcement-related issues that arise in the context of administering Section 313 of EPCRA, which is otherwise known as the Toxic Release Inventory. At the highest advertised grade, you will: Initiate contact with program officials and other persons having knowledge of the facts involved in the problem or case under study; obtain information and/or legal references pertinent to the problem under study; study legal precedents; and prepare oral and written recommendations for review by supervisors, as appropriate. Research, interpret and analyze policies, procedures, regulations, statutes, court decisions and administrative rulings; research legal authority for use by higher-graded attorneys in the preparation of documents conveying legal counseling advice, or alternatively legal briefs and motions in connection with pending litigation; and identify and assess overlapping legal issues to ensure a consistent, coherent, and sound approach to legal counseling. 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. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.
Salary
Qualifications
NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement. In addition to the educational requirements, you must meet the minimum grade-specific qualifications as described below: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must have either: -an LL.M. degree OR -at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as law clerk experience at the Federal, state, or local level, performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; or composing pleadings, briefs, or other documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation. OR -completed superior law student activities while earning a J.D. degree. Superior law student activities include: (A) Academic standing in upper third of law school graduating class; (B) Work or achievement of significance on law school's law review; (C) Special high-level honors for academic excellence, such as election to Order of the Coif; (D) Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team representing the law school in competition with other law schools; (E) Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program or significant summer law office clerk experience; or (F) Other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement, as determined by the hiring office and documented in writing for the case file. To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as performing legal analysis and research; drafting legal memoranda, pleadings, or other documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation; or assisting higher-graded attorneys in legal counseling or litigation. You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully, and you will be evaluated on these competencies: Attention to Detail Critical Thinking Environmental or Other Relevant Laws and Regulations Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence Oral Communication Problem Solving Technical Competence Written Communication 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.
Education
You must: (1) possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and (2) 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 (3) be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing. NOTE: Bar membership and licensure are not required at the time of application, but you must be admitted to the bar and obtain your license before entry on duty. For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.
Required Documents
ALL APPLICANTS Cover letter expressing your interest in the position and explaining how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position. Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications and Education sections--include specific dates (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY) so we can determine that you have the required amount of experience (if applicable). In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific (we may not make assumptions regarding your experience). If your resume includes federal experience, indicate the grade or pay band (e.g., GS-13) for each federal job. Resume must not exceed 2 pages. If you do not submit a resume that is 2 pages or less, you will be ineligible for further consideration. See How to Apply section for more information. Copy of active bar membership/license (not required at the time of application, but you will be required to provide this documentation before entry on duty). Proof of education (see requirements in the Education section): Law school transcripts - unofficial or official transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned. NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA. IF EDUCATION WAS COMPLETED AT A FOREIGN INSTITUTION: You must submit an equivalency evaluation with your application as described here: Accreditation. - OR - Documentation of apprentice experience equivalent to possession of a J.D. or LL.M. degree. Name, address, and telephone number of three references, including a current or former employer. 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 legal analysis. APPLICANTS QUALIFYING BASED ON SUPERIOR LAW STUDENT ACTIVITIES Proof of completion of superior law student activities as described in the Qualifications section APPLICANTS CLAIMING VETERANS' PREFERENCE To be eligible for veterans' preference, you must claim preference in your USAJOBS account; you must also submit proof of eligibility as indicated below. Separated veterans claiming 0-point preference: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) and that the release or discharge was due to sole survivorship Separated veterans claiming 5-point preference: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more: DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service); document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge); and VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage); and SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form)--see page 2 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214 and VA letter Other separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference: SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form); and Other required documentation indicated on the SF-15 Active duty service members: Certification from the Armed Forces (Statement of Service) 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 (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification)
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin your application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires and assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in this section (How to Apply) and the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the day the announcement closes to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply button at the top of the announcement. Follow the prompts to sign in. Answer the questions presented in the application and upload all required supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button by 11:59 PM (ET) on the day the announcement closes. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Agency contact listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and you must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. Resume Requirements: Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. If you correctly submit a 2-page (or less) resume and also submit a longer resume, we will only review the 2-page resume. If the only resume you submit exceeds 2 pages, you will be removed from consideration for this position. See OPM 2-Page Resume Guidance for information on maximizing the content of your resume. Resume must be legible so we can review for eligibility, minimum qualifications, and any other position requirements listed in this announcement. See USAJOBS Resume Info for additional guidance and information about the recommended formatting (e.g., file type, font size/type, margins). To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit How to View Status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status (if applicable), and your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
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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