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Summary

This position is in Region 1, Office of Regional Counsel, Legal Enforcement Branch, Regulatory Legal Enforcement Section. About Region 1.

This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/04/2026 to 02/19/2026
Salary
$101,375 to - $131,790 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Boston, MA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis. NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be required to travel for this position.
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
Announcement number
EPA-Q1-OAE-2026-0001
Control number
856502500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current EPA employees in Region 1. NOTE: Eligibility is based on your current position of record (if you are on a temporary promotion, the temporary promotion position is your position of record).

Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

  • Provides legal advice, performs legal research, prepares legal documentation, and provides policy recommendations.
  • Performs litigation activities.
  • Drafts Agency determinations, proposed regulations, and Federal Register notices.
  • Performs negotiation and informal dispute resolution.
  • Serves as representative of the Region.

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.  NOTE:  Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Grow your career for the good of our planet

The environmental challenges we face today are urgent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to join our team dedicated to safe, clean, and healthy communities. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world. That’s why there has never been a more crucial moment to be one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators united in our mission to protect our land, air, water, and people. Join us. Be EPA.

Discover how you can apply your skills to make an impact. Explore careers and learn more about EPA at epa.gov/careers.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.

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. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

You must self-certify annually and in writing that you hold an active bar membership.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year trial period.

#LI-DNI

Qualifications

NOTE:  You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement.

In addition to the educational requirements, you must meet the minimum grade-specific qualifications as described below:

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as formulating recommendations to senior managers; and composing pleadings, briefs, or other court documents involving legal issues in counseling or litigation.

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: Part-Time Experience.

Education

You must (1) possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law, (2) be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and (3) be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation.

Additional information

This position is excluded from provisions of the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP).

Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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.

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.

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, and then may be subject to additional assessments (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.).

EPA considers veterans’ preference as a positive factor. Applicants who have veterans’ preference 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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