Summary This position is in Region 10, Office of Regional Counsel, Law Land Branch 1. About Region 10: Region 10. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected). Responsibilities At the full performance level of this position, you will: Provide legal advice, perform legal research and resolve legal questions, prepare legal documentation, and provide policy recommendations to program clients regarding issues arising under environmental laws. Perform full range of litigation activities, manage and coordinate complex enforcement and/or defensive ligation to represent the Region in legal proceedings. Draft and review Agency determinations, proposed regulations, notices, and other documents to be published in the Federal Register. Represent the Region in complex dealings with outside parties to perform negotiation, informal dispute resolution, and Regional representation work. Maintain liaison with headquarters offices, as appropriate, to provide an effective channel of communication between those offices and the Region, serve as coordinator of one or more subject matter areas and maintains specialized expertise. If you are hired at a grade level lower than the full performance level (i.e., highest promotion potential 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. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment #LI-Onsite You must be a U.S. citizen. If you have not yet passed the bar exam, offer of employment will be contingent upon admission to the bar and licensure/authorization to practice as an attorney. You must self-certify annually and in writing that you hold an active bar membership. If you are selected, you may be required to complete a trial period (two years if you are not a preference eligible; one year if you are a preference eligible). This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date. REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs. If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter. 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-13 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as researching, analyzing, and managing diverse legal issues or projects; and independently providing legal counsel at federal, state, local agencies, and/or private practice. To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as leading and resolving legal issues or projects; providing authoritative legal counsel to senior officials; developing legal strategies, policies, or guidance; and representing or negotiating on behalf of an organization in litigation or administrative proceedings in federal, state, local, and/or private practice. You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully: Attention to Detail. (Both GS-13 and GS-14) Environmental Laws and Regulations. (Both GS-13 and GS-14) Oral Communication. Written Communication. (Both GS-13 and GS-14) Critical Thinking. Influencing/Negotiating. Interpersonal Skills. You will be evaluated on these critical competencies. 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. Additional Information This position is excluded from provisions of the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status. 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 in the Overview section. 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: E-Verify. 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. This position is not in the bargaining unit. About the Office of Regional Counsel, Region 10: Office of Regional Counsel. If you have questions about this position, contact Danielle Granatt at Granatt.Danielle@epa.gov.
