The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) is looking for an experienced attorney to join our expanding office. You will serve as a legal advisor in the assessment of legal authorities and resources across Department components and offices in environmental justice, and in environmental justice education and training programs for components and offices, as well as serving as a legal resource on environmental justice.
Summary
The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) is looking for an experienced attorney to join our expanding office. You will serve as a legal advisor in the assessment of legal authorities and resources across Department components and offices in environmental justice, and in environmental justice education and training programs for components and offices, as well as serving as a legal resource on environmental justice.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
The Attorney Advisor in OEJ serves as legal advisor in the assessment of legal authorities and resources across Department components and offices in environmental justice, and in environmental justice education and training programs for components and offices, as well as serving as a legal resource on environmental justice. In this position, you will work closely with the OEJ Director who provides Department leadership with recommendations on legislation, policy positions and public statements relating to environmental justice, and the development or review of new management and policy initiatives as well as handling information requests under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and other legal matters that affect the Division's, Department's, and Administration's position on environmental justice issues. The impact of advice given usually cuts across organizational lines.
The duties of the position include, but are not limited to:
Monitoring and analyzing draft legislation regarding environmental justice for potential impact on Department functions and providing advice to appropriate officials on action that should be taken as needed. Works closely with attorneys and professional staff in other sections and coordinates with other relevant components and agencies on draft legislation regarding environmental justice as appropriate.
Providing authoritative advice and assistance on policy and legal issues to federal agencies, Department and Division attorneys, and the OEJ Director to inform top agency officials on environmental justice. These issues often involve complex areas of law, require statutory interpretation or may be of a confidential or sensitive nature. The issues cut across organizational lines and affect the administration, resources, and interests of the Department.
Analyzing problems and questions and providing recommendations for the resolution of issues (this includes litigation cases and questions on Departmental or Administration policy) involving environmental justice. Coordinates with attorneys within the Division, the Department, and federal agencies, to provide effective recommendations for solutions that meet various and often competing needs.
Handling congressional inquiries involving complicated and delicate matters, at times requiring extensive legal research and thorough understanding of Department and Division policies. Handling and reviewing responses to Freedom of Information Act requests involving the Office of Environmental Justice for compliance with applicable law and Department policies.
Advising the OEJ Director as needed to assist the Assistant Attorney General and other top officials in the Division and/or Department on legal or policy aspects of projects or initiatives related to environmental justice. Responsibilities include: drafting policy statements and legal memos, advising federal agencies, and responding to questions, concerns or communications from outside groups, including members of the public and Congress. Leads community engagement efforts for Division environmental enforcement matters with environmental justice concerns, as requested, including coordination between the Division, other Department components and offices, and federal agencies.
Representing the Division and/or Department, at the OEJ Director's request, on interagency work groups that address matters of environmental justice. Reviewing policies and initiatives developed by client agencies concerning environmental justice for consistency with Department policy and legal position. Serves as the organization's representative at interdepartmental, departmental and non-government meetings that involve environmental justice matters. Presenting factual and confidential information to the OEJ Director, and preparing the necessary analyses with recommendations for consideration and adoption by Division or Department decision-makers.
Working closely with other Department components and offices, and agencies on these matters.
You must complete a background investigation to include pre-employment drug testing.
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit of salary.
Must have J.D. from an accredited law school and be an active member of the bar.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic and professional credentials; superior oral and written communication skills; outstanding legal research, analytical, and legal reasoning skills; outstanding judgment; and the ability to function with minimal guidance in a demanding legal environment. Must have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) in good standing. Applicants must have professional legal or other relevant experience and knowledge of environmental justice and the ability to relate the law to the policy objectives of the Division and the Department to provide authoritative advice and effective recommendations.
Specific grade requirements:
GS-14 - at least 4 years post-JD experience
GS-15 - at least 5 years post-JD experience
Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the required qualifications listed above, the ideal candidate will have:
Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to address a broad array of issues related to environmental justice;
The ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical issues in a wide variety of cases and projects;
The ability to set, manage, and balance diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities;
Demonstrated initiative and creativity;
Strong interpersonal communication skills;
Strong information technology skills, including using data bases and IT systems to manage and track work;
Experience working with or for federal agencies;
A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.
Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is: GS-14: $132,368 to $172,075, GS-15: $155,700 to $183,500.
YOUR RESUME MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement if you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume. In order To determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/. To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214; official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com, and reference "Federal Career Opportunities" in the subject line. Additional information is found at:http://www.benderconsult.com
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys' Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. Citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. Citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available in the Division within 90 days after HR office issues the certificate of eligibles.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience you report relative to this position.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions.
Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
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.
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.
Resumé demonstrating relevant experience and month/year dates the experience was obtained
Brief statement of interest
Writing sample
Copy of J.D. degree transcripts
DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation, if applicable
Your resumé MUST include full employment information such as periods of employment with month/year started and ended, title of position(s), PT hours worked, and description of duties. If you have Federal employment, you must include the grade of the position(s).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 must apply online through USAJOBS. Follow the prompts to answer a few questions and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
Applicants must submit a current resume, brief statement of interest, writing sample, copy of J.D. degree transcripts, and DD-214 (if applicable).
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Office of Human Resources using the contact information listed below.
Office of Environmental Justice
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 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.
Resumé demonstrating relevant experience and month/year dates the experience was obtained
Brief statement of interest
Writing sample
Copy of J.D. degree transcripts
DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation, if applicable
Your resumé MUST include full employment information such as periods of employment with month/year started and ended, title of position(s), PT hours worked, and description of duties. If you have Federal employment, you must include the grade of the position(s).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 must apply online through USAJOBS. Follow the prompts to answer a few questions and submit all required documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
Applicants must submit a current resume, brief statement of interest, writing sample, copy of J.D. degree transcripts, and DD-214 (if applicable).
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Office of Human Resources using the contact information listed below.
Office of Environmental Justice
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
