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Attorney Advisor

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in Region 10, Office of Regional Counsel. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.  About Region 10: Region 10

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/15/2020 to 02/04/2020
Salary
$99,941 to - $153,527 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
Seattle, WA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel more than 25% of each month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CI-R10-OT-2020-0003
Control number
556674400

Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Serve as a Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel (RCEC) in the Office of Regional Counsel. In this capacity, you will research and resolve the legal questions arising during the course of criminal investigations and prosecutions involving the major federal statutes affecting the Agency's programs, including but not limited to the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

- Provide the Regional Administrator, Deputy Regional Administrator and the Regional Offices with general legal advice and policy recommendations concerning the criminal enforcement program and/or other regional programs, operations, and activities so that major decisions are made with applicable legal considerations in mind.  -- Provide legal advice and policy recommendations to the EPA Criminal Investigation Division on matters arising under the environmental statutes and matters arising under the U.S. Criminal Code.

- Provide legal advice and policy recommendations to the Regional Program managers responsible for criminal and other enforcement matters. Advise on the legal sufficiency of regional criminal enforcement actions under all environmental statutes.

- Coordinate criminal enforcement litigation in connection with specific matters arising under all environmental statutes. Conduct discovery and prepare indictments, subpoenas, search warrants, motions, briefs and other litigation documents. At times, when appointed by the United States Attorney or the Department of Justice, represent the United States as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) in the criminal prosecution of violations of the environmental statutes and the United States Criminal Code.

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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
  • An LL.B. or J.D. is required.

This position is designated as Moderate 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.

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

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.

In addition to the educational requirements, 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 equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as environmental law experience or criminal law experience.

To qualify for the GS-14 level, you need to have at least one year of full time substantial experience equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as criminal law experience or specialized environmental litigation experience.

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.

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

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.

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.

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

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.


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