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Attorney-Advisor

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy.

EXCEPTED SERVICE: This position is being filled using the excepted service hiring authority Schedule A, 213.3102(d). Attorneys for this occupation.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/20/2021 to 10/29/2021
Salary
$103,690 to - $172,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 15
Location
Washington, DC
few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Occasional Travel - 25% or less
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
EPA-OIG-OT-2022-0006
Control number
617846200

Duties

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As an Attorney-Advisor you will serve as the investigative counsel in the Office of Special Review and Evaluation, Administrative Investigations Directorate and be responsible for:

  • - Conducts administrative investigations into allegations of misconduct, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, and abuses of authority by senior agency officials, as well as allegations of whistleblower reprisal against agency employees, contractors and grantees. Develops investigative plans, conducts interviews of witnesses and subjects, and analyzes documentary evidence;
  • - Prepares and reviews legal documents and other materials in connection with ongoing investigations, including subpoenas and document requests, analytical memoranda, and reports of interview;
  • - Conducts legal research and provides legal guidance on the scope and conduct of investigations, as well as advises OIG leadership on substantive legal matters encountered during investigations, including determining legal precedent applicable to investigations, applying criminal, civil, and administrative laws to specific fact patterns, and assessing sufficiency of evidence following investigative activities;
  • - Drafts reports of investigations or other analytical written products that present complex fact patterns, explain governing laws, rules, and policies, and analyze evidence gathered in an investigation;
  • - Engages whistleblowers, congressional staff, and other sources regarding the potential or ongoing administrative investigations, including responding to requests or inquiries;
  • - Maintains a close and continuing working relationship with other entities, including EPA components, other OIGs, representatives of Congressional committees, regarding the OIG’s administrative investigations, representing OIG as necessary at meetings on a wide range of topics relating to the operations of the OIG’s administrative investigations

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Position has portable work and selectee may be eligible to telework.
  • The incumbent must obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
  • You must submit resume and required documents (See How to Apply)

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.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D., LL.M or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction) and must have at least two or more years of post J.D./LL.B. experience, including knowledge of Federal statutes and regulations, experience in working collaboratively with DOJ or USAO that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must have two or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 grade level, and an active bar status in good standing.

To qualify at the GS-14 level, applicants must have three or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level, and an active bar status in good standing.

To qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must have four or more years of post-J.D. legal experience in ethics, two of which were specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level, and an active bar status in good standing.

Examples of specialized experience include:

          Legal work performed is characterized by one or more of the following features:

(1) Extremely complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues which are involved in the drafting, interpretation, or application of legislation, regulations, contracts, orders, decisions, opinions, or other legal instruments and require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in order to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests; or complex factual or policy issues are involved requiring extensive research, analysis, and obtaining and evaluating of expert testimony or information in controversial areas of scientific, financial, corporate, medical, engineering, or other highly technical areas.

(2) Cases or problems which have the effect of substantially broadening or restricting the activities of an agency; or have an important impact on a major industry whose economic position affects the health and stability of the general economy. Cases or problems have an important impact on major private or public interests. Also included are problems of unusual delicacy, such as fraud cases, because of the serious consequence of error and the great burden of proof assumed by the Government.

(3) Cases or problems frequently involving, directly or indirectly, senior Agency officials are frequently vigorously contested by extremely capable legal talent. Interest in these investigations is generally nationwide.

Education

This is an attorney position. Applicants must have a Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Active bar membership (of any jurisdiction) is required.

Additional information

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.

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.  

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Excepted Service Authority. Under the provisions of the Excepted Service Authority, traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply.  We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. All applicants who meet these requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.


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