Attorney-Adviser

Summary This position is in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), Office of Program Management Operations (OPMO), Information Law and Governance Division (ILGD). About: OECA This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. Learn more about this agency Duties At the entry level of this position, you will: Provide legal advice, perform legal research, prepare legal documentation, and provide policy recommendations. Conduct research on information law-related topics and study information law matters, including those related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal Records Act (FRA), Privacy Act and other related statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance. Draft agency determinations, proposed regulations, and Federal Register Notices. Perform negotiation and informal dispute resolution. Represent the program office and/or OECA. When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, 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. Grow your career for the good of our planet The environmental challenges we face today are urgent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to join our team dedicated to safe, clean, and healthy communities. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world. That’s why there has never been a more crucial moment to be one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators united in our mission to protect our land, air, water, and people. Join us. Be EPA. Discover how you can apply your skills to make an impact. Explore careers and learn more about EPA at epa.gov/careers. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen. You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. 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. 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). 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. 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. #LI-Onsite 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-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as researching and analyzing diverse legal issues or projects; and providing legal counsel at federal, state, and local agencies and/or private practice. 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, and local agencies and/or private practice. You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully: Critical Thinking.* Oral Communication.* Problem Solving. Reading Comprehension. Written Communication.* *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 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. 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. About the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA): OECA has staff, including criminal investigators located in HQs and more than 40 field offices located across the nation. OECA provides national policy direction and enforcement for all federal environmental statutes which can include civil and criminal actions; actions to compel cleanup; and federal facility enforcement. OECA leads EPA’s enforcement program which aims to address pollution problems that impact American communities by pursuing vigorous civil and criminal enforcement that target entities causing the most serious water, air, and chemical hazards. For more information, visit Environment Enforcement and Compliance Careers in OECA. If you have questions about this position, contact Loan Nguyen at [email protected]. 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. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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. 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. Review our benefits 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.