Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Provide legal advice, perform legal research, prepare legal documentation and provides policy recommendations
• Perform litigation activities.
• Draft Agency determinations proposed regulations and federal register notices.
• Perform negotiation and informal dispute resolution, and region representational work.
• Performs liaison and specialized team work.

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.

Conditions of employment

• An LL.B. or J.D. is required.
• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• Position has education requirements--see Qualifications/Education section.
• You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.

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.

If you are selected, you must complete a one-year trial period.

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.

This is an Excepted Service position. It is excluded from provisions of the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status. However, this program is covered for the purposes of Federal retirement and benefits programs.

Current Bar membership in good standing/law license is required.

Must self-certify, annually and in writing of active bar membership. 

Qualifications

You need a degree as described below to qualify for this position.

An LL.B. or J.D. degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Must be admitted to practice before the highest court of a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and must maintain active status as a member of the bar of one of these jurisdictions.

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:  

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full time substantial experience in the Clean Air Act or similar environmental program areas equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as providing legal counsel on technical and legal issues, developing and presenting policy and legal recommendations, briefing managers, working with the Department of Justice or outside counsel, and defending clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. In addition, you need to have experience in or knowledge of counseling clients on complex technical and legal issues arising under the Clean Air Act AND experience in or knowledge of the preparation and review of actions under the Clean Air Act.

To qualify for the GS-14 level, you need to have at least one year of full time substantial experience in the Clean Air Act or similar environmental program areas equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as providing legal counsel on complex technical and legal issues, developing and implementing legal strategies, briefing senior managers, working with the Department of Justice or outside counsel, and defending clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. In addition, you need to have experience in or knowledge of counseling clients on complex technical and legal issues arising under the Clean Air Act AND experience in or knowledge of the preparation and review of actions under the Clean Air Act.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts, or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement.  However, if you are selected you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA.  More information on verification of education can be found here:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be evaluated against the basic qualifications. Qualified candidates will be referred for further consideration and may be subject to additional assessments.

EPA considers veteran’s preference eligibility as a positive factor. Applicants who have veteran’s preference eligibility are encouraged to include their information in their cover letters or resumes and attach supporting documentation to substantiate their preference.

Excepted service positions are not covered by regular civil service hiring procedures.