The position serves as the Deputy Director (Supervisory Attorney Advisor, GS-0905-15), in the Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA). OEA is responsible for ensuring the agency's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental laws.
Summary
The position serves as the Deputy Director (Supervisory Attorney Advisor, GS-0905-15), in the Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA). OEA is responsible for ensuring the agency's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental laws.
The purpose of the Deputy Director position is to provide high-level expertise and advice regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental laws to OEA and agency staff. The individual will also oversee the agency's environmental program when the Director is unavailable or the Director designates the Deputy Director to be in charge.
The major duties of this position are:
Ensure the agency's compliance with the NEPA and related environmental laws and administer the agency's environmental regulations.
Ensure the clarity, technical adequacy, and defensibility of all environmental analyses and documents prepared for Board proceedings subject to environmental review.
Prepare and edit memoranda and environmental documents including Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and Environmental Assessments (EAs) for rail constructions, abandonments, mergers, acquisitions, and other transportation actions.
Ensure public participation in the Board's NEPA review process by overseeing and implementing a public outreach program that includes local public meetings; site visits; consultations with local, state and local agencies and any affected parties.
Assist the Director in administrative tasks, such as budget preparation.
Manage a multidisciplinary staff, including third-party contractors.
All qualification requirements must be met 08/29/2025.
You will not receive consideration if your package is missing any of the items outlined under Cover Letter, License, Performance Appraisal, Resume, Transcript, and Writing Sample.
Trial Period: A two-year trial period may be required.
Supervisory Probationary Period: A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
Required to participate in the Direct Deposit program.
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. See http://www.sss.gov/
Background Suitability Investigation: Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability or security clearance. Please note: If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.
E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form 1-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. The STB is an E-Verify Participant.
Must submit a complete resume, writing sample, cover letter, and all required documents.
Current member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Proof of bar membership will be required before entering on duty.
Qualifications
Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. If your resume goes beyond two pages, we will only consider the first two pages for the required experience as outlined in the specialized experience. It must contain the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, email address;
Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy);
If other than full time you must provide hours worked per week.
PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination.
Should you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.
It is recommended to make your resume searchable in your USAJOBS.gov profile.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued qualification standards for attorney positions. However, STB sets minimum qualifications for attorney positions and sets forth these qualifications for this position. You must meet both requirements below:
A.
You must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA);
Current member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Proof of bar membership will be required before entering on duty.
TRANSCRIPTS - Unofficial Transcripts are REQUIRED with your application package. The transcripts submitted must show that you meet the education requirements outlined above. Proof of bar membership and official transcripts will be required before entering on duty.
AND
B.
Candidates must have at least four years of professional legal experience involving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related environmental laws.
A cover letter and writing sample are required to be submitted with the application package.
The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
You must provide your unofficial transcripts to support your educational claims at the time of application. The transcripts must come from an accredited college or university, and they must also include the courses' names and number of credit hours.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by the Department of Education will be accepted: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at U.S. accredited college or university. For further information visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
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. In addition, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has work/life-balance flexibilities that may be right for you. We offer:
This position is eligible for telework .
Fitness Center: STB employees, at no cost, have access to the fitness center conveniently located in the building; and
A monthly transit subsidy for a portion of your commuting costs to help defray the commuting costs of employees who use mass transportation, including commuter bus, Metrorail or Metrobus, or commuter rail systems.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Once the application is received, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be completed to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation.
All candidates who meet the qualifications described above will be referred to the hiring official for consideration.
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.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current Federal or STB employee:
1. Resume-Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. If your resume goes beyond two pages, we will only consider the first two pages for the required experience as outlined in the specialized experience. It must contain the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, email address;
Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy);
If other than full time you must provide hours worked per week.
PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination.
Should you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.
It is recommended to make your resume searchable in your USAJOBS.gov profile.
2. Responses to questionnaire.
3. Educational Transcripts (unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application.)
4. Writing Sample: Applicants must include an unedited or lightly edited writing sample that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position and illustrates your ability to conduct complex legal research and analysis. The writing sample should total no more than 5 pages. Selected excerpts of larger documents are acceptable. If appropriate, please attach an explanatory cover memo to your writing sample. Do not submit sensitive or classified documents or documents containing personally identifiable information.
5. Cover Letter
6. Supporting documents verifying your eligibility or any preference eligibility, along with your application package. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
Veteran's documentation: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the Excepted Service. However, if you are eligible for veteran's preference, you may attach supporting documents. If submitting DD214, a MEMBER 4 copy is required. If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
Preference eligible documentation: If claiming a 10-point preference you must also submit an SF-15 and any other proof that you are eligible for a 10-point preference if a job offer is extended to you, a final VA letter including percentage (please do not include a letter from VA noting specific private medical information).
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted before the announcement closes on 08/29/2025. The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date.
To begin your online application:
-Please create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
-Please use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
-Create a new password
-Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code for two-step verification.
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20423
US
Next steps
To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments.
Once referred, you may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for removing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
All candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current Federal or STB employee:
1. Resume-Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. If your resume goes beyond two pages, we will only consider the first two pages for the required experience as outlined in the specialized experience. It must contain the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, email address;
Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy);
If other than full time you must provide hours worked per week.
PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination.
Should you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.
It is recommended to make your resume searchable in your USAJOBS.gov profile.
2. Responses to questionnaire.
3. Educational Transcripts (unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application.)
4. Writing Sample: Applicants must include an unedited or lightly edited writing sample that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position and illustrates your ability to conduct complex legal research and analysis. The writing sample should total no more than 5 pages. Selected excerpts of larger documents are acceptable. If appropriate, please attach an explanatory cover memo to your writing sample. Do not submit sensitive or classified documents or documents containing personally identifiable information.
5. Cover Letter
6. Supporting documents verifying your eligibility or any preference eligibility, along with your application package. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
Veteran's documentation: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the Excepted Service. However, if you are eligible for veteran's preference, you may attach supporting documents. If submitting DD214, a MEMBER 4 copy is required. If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
Preference eligible documentation: If claiming a 10-point preference you must also submit an SF-15 and any other proof that you are eligible for a 10-point preference if a job offer is extended to you, a final VA letter including percentage (please do not include a letter from VA noting specific private medical information).
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted before the announcement closes on 08/29/2025. The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date.
To begin your online application:
-Please create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
-Please use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
-Create a new password
-Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code for two-step verification.
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20423
US
Next steps
To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments.
Once referred, you may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for removing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
All candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
