This position is in Region 10, Office of Regional Counsel, Land Law Branch. About Region 10: Region 10 This is an office-centered position*--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section.
Duties
You will: Serve as a first-line supervisor to manage attorneys in the Land Law Branch (LLB) of the Region 10 Office of Regional Counsel (ORC) who work on all aspects of cleanup and cost recovery under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as well as corrective action under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), at both private sites and federal facilities. Management includes oversight of all substantive environmental issues within the LLB, including assigning work to staff attorneys and reviewing their major work product, resolving complex legal issues, and providing legal advice and policy recommendations to senior managers, as well as handling all administrative matters for the LLB, such as performance reviews and other personnel-related activities. Build effective working relationships and coordinate closely with the following entities to ensure that relevant and accurate information is exchanged regarding actions that may affect Regional objectives under the Superfund program: Region 10 program managers, particularly the Superfund and Emergency Management Division (SEMD): EPA headquarters offices, including the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), and Office of General Counsel (OGC); other federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal land managers; and states and tribal legal contacts. Maintain subject matter expertise regarding CERCLA and RCRA corrective action and disseminate current policies, guidance, procedures to both LLB attorneys and ORC management to ensure consistency across regional and national matters; represent ORC during regional or national meetings addressing Superfund issues; and mentor new and less experienced LLB attorneys. 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 demonstrating leadership or management experience and possessing knowledge of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or Superfund program and/or corrective action under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or other environmental statutes. 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: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
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 EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Required Documents
Required documents to be submitted online: 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). PLEASE LIMIT YOUR RESUME TO A MAXIMUM OF 7 PAGES. 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: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures 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. APPLICANTS CLAIMING VETERANS’ PREFERENCE 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 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
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature (see How to Upload Documents). If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job. The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA’s Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: • If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you. • If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official’s office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA’s National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at disabilityaccommodations@epa.gov. • If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you. Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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. EPA offers workplace flexibilities as described on the EPA Benefits page. These flexibilities are not guaranteed, and eligibility will be determined in accordance with position requirements, policy, and/or applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement after you are hired. PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF): As a federal employee, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer, including EPA. Learn more: pslf.gov This position has portable work. If selected for this position, you may be eligible for partial work-from-home flexibilities after meeting eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement.
