This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/580483700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office (CCILO), International Environmental Law Practice Group, Washington, DC. For more information on this office, visit its website: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-general-counsel-ogc.
Learn more about this agency09/30/2020 to 10/21/2020
$142,701 - $170,800 per year
GS 15
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel, Intermittent international travel, for annual meetings, trade negotiations, and/or capacity-building initiatives.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Excepted
None
No
No
OGC-2020-0005
580483700
About the Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office:
The Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office (CCILO) consists of three distinct practice groups that provide legal counsel to EPA Headquarters and regional offices on a diverse set of issues and statutes, ranging from international law to administrative law and rulemaking statutes (Administrative Procedure Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Paperwork Reduction Act), Indian law, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
The International Environmental Law Practice Group (IELPG) within CCILO provides legal counsel to all Agency programs and offices with respect to international law, institutions, and procedures. IELPG represents EPA in international dispute settlements; in negotiations to draft and implement international agreements, protocols, and other instruments; and in interagency processes to resolve international legal issues related to the environment. The practice group also conducts legal capacity-building activities with other countries regarding their environmental regulatory systems and provides legal counsel on cooperative and technical assistance to other countries.
This position is in the excepted service. Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status; however, this position is covered for the purpose of federal retirement and benefits.
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 above.
Responsibilities:
The CCILO Assistant General Counsel for IELPG assists the CCILO Associate and Deputy Associate General Counsels in managing the day-to-day operation of the practice group’s legal counseling functions and other legal services provided to the Office of International and Tribal Affairs and other program offices. The IELPG Assistant General Counsel oversees and manages the work of a group of attorneys with diverse international portfolios.
Other responsibilities include:
Applicant must have an LLB. or J.D. degree from an accredited law school; 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. Incumbent should have experience in providing legal advice and counsel at EPA, other federal, state or local agencies or courts, non-governmental organizations, or in private practice.
If you are selected, you must complete a one-year trial period.
The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and relevant experience in international law, have excellent interpersonal, leadership, communication and organizational skills, a strong customer service ethic, an eagerness to teach and mentor the practice group, initiative and self-motivation, the ability to work effectively in a team and independently, a commitment to public service, and mature judgement.
Please identify in your written statement of interest and resume any specialized experience in international law, if applicable.
Note: Please include a separate business-style resume with your application in lieu of the automated USAJobs resume. This document should be uploaded as part of your complete application packet described below under the Supporting Documentation Tab.
To qualify for the GS-15 level, you should have four 4 or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, at least one of which included specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level or higher.
If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form prior to your first day of employment and annually thereafter.
This position is designated as a Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.
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: http://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures
If you have part-time work experience, read this: http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm
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.
Position has portable work and selectee may be eligible to telework.
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience will be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. For more information, visit https://hru.gov/Studio_Recruitment/tools/Mythbuster_on_Federal_Hiring_Policies.pdf.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above and demonstrate an ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.
Initially, you will be evaluated based on the information contained in your resume packet. If an interview is granted, you will also be evaluated based on the responses you provide during an interview. In responding to interview questions, you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did and the outcome.
There is no numerical rating system for applying veteran’s preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Office of General Counsel considers veteran’s preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
Documents to be submitted should be provided as one, consolidated PDF document in the following order, uploaded under the Supporting Documentation Tab:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register and submit all required documents. 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.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than three 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.
The most highly qualified candidates will be referred for interviews for further consideration. We expect to make a selection within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/580483700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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