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Environmental Protection Agency

Attorney-Adviser

Environmental Protection Agency, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80285


This position is in Region 8, Office of Regional Counsel, Legal Enforcement Branch, Regulatory Enforcement Section. About Region 8: Region 8 This is an office-centered position*--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section.Duties

At the entry level of this position, you will:Provide legal advice, perform legal research, prepare legal documentation, and provide policy recommendations.Perform litigation activities.Draft Agency determinations, proposed regulations, and Federal Register notices.Perform negotiation and informal dispute resolution.Serve 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.Salary

$96,684 - $149,465/yearConditions 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.If you have not yet passed the bar exam, offer of employment will be contingent upon admission to the bar.If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.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 experience in providing legal advice and counsel at the EPA, other federal, state or local agencies, or in private practice.To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as experience in providing legal advice and counsel at the EPA, other federal, state or local agencies, or in private practice, related to enforcement matters.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.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; and (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. (NOTE: Bar membership is not required at the time of application, but you must be admitted to the bar before entry on duty.)Required Documents

Required documents to be submitted online:ALL APPLICANTSCover letter expressing your interest in the position and explaining how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position.Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications and Education sections. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific (we may not make assumptions regarding your experience).

PLEASE LIMIT YOUR RESUME TO A MAXIMUM OF 7 PAGES.Copy of active bar membership/license (not required at the time of application, but you will be required to provide this documentation before entry on duty).Proof of education (see requirements in the Education section):- Law school transcripts - unofficial or official transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned.NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.Name, address, and telephone number of three references, including a current or former employer.APPLICANTS CLAIMING VETERANS’ PREFERENCESeparated veterans claiming 5-point preference:DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge)Separated veterans claiming 10-point preference based on compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more:DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service); document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge); andVA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage); andSF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form )--see page 2 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214 and VA letterOther separated veterans claiming 10-point preference OR spouses, widows/widowers, or mothers claiming 10-point derived preference:SF-15 (use current version: SF-15 Form ); andOther required documentation indicated on the SF-15Active duty service members:Certification from the Armed Forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the Armed Forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification)To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS .If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.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.How to Apply

You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONEPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA’s Reasonable Accommodation website.Benefits

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. Learn more about federal benefits.Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.EPA offers workplace flexibilities as described on the EPA Benefits page. These flexibilities are not guaranteed, and eligibility will be determined in accordance with position requirements, policy, and/or applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement after you are hired.PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF):

As a federal employee, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer, including EPA. Learn more: pslf.gov.

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