This position is in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Civil Rights and Finance Law Office (CRFLO). About: OGC Please see the duties section for more details about CRFLO. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Duties
CRFLO provides legal counsel and services to EPA programs with respect to a myriad of federal statutes concerning contracts, claims by and against the Agency, real and personal property, financial assistance awards, interagency agreements, appropriations law, civil rights, and equal employment opportunity. This position is for an Assistant General Counsel covering areas including appropriations law and/or federal financial assistance law or other similar areas, including litigation. You will: Lead a team of attorneys by providing clear direction to staff on matters related to the assigned area; provide feedback on assigned tasks to elevate the quality of legal work and ensure the delivery of sound legal advice; and resolve difficult issues requiring a high degree of professional judgment. Handle highly complex legal issues, assess risk, and deliver well-reasoned, timely legal advice; and consider facts and evidence, the need for consistency in the assigned areas of practice, and other relevant factors in rendering legal advice. Advise the staff of client program offices and participate in proceedings that substantially broaden or restrict major EPA activities (e.g., regulations, legislation, litigation) and recommend appropriate legal action; orally communicate highly complex legal concepts clearly and produce high-quality written work that is legally sound and persuasive, clearly stating the facts and legal issues and justifying all recommendations and conclusions. 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-15 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level defined as independently performing and guiding legal analysis; reviewing pleadings, briefs, or other documents involving unique or difficult legal issues in counseling or litigation; conducting highly complex legal counseling or litigation; or leading teams handling complex counseling or litigation including advising junior attorneys, paralegals or other staff. 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 Coaching and Developing Others Critical Thinking Environmental or Other Relevant Laws and Regulations Leadership Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence Oral Communication Strategic Thinking 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 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.
