Attorney-Adviser

Environmental Protection Agency•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Regional Counsel, EPA Region 5. It is office-centered and requires regular physical reporting to the duty station. The Office of Regional Counsel serves as principal legal adviser to the Regional Administrator and provides legal opinions, counsel, and litigation support to regional program and management divisions and offices. Its work covers federal environmental statutes, ethics issues, coordination with other EPA legal offices, and Regional Hearing Clerk functions. At the highest advertised grade, the Attorney-Adviser provides legal advice, conducts research, prepares legal documents, and recommends policy on complex matters with greater independence. The position handles varied and complex enforcement and defensive litigation, drafts Agency determinations, proposed regulations, and Federal Register notices for leadership review, and leads negotiations, dispute resolution, representational work, and stakeholder coordination. It also includes liaison and specialized team work. At lower grades, work is less complex and subject to more supervisory oversight; progression to more complex work is not automatic and requires meeting eligibility and qualification requirements. The position requires a J.D. or LL.M. from an accredited or pre-accredited institution, or qualifying apprentice experience under state law, and admission and authorization to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction. Bar membership and licensure must be obtained before entry on duty if not already held. The role is designated High Risk and requires a background investigation. A selected candidate may also be required to complete a one- or two-year trial period and must submit confidential financial disclosures within 30 days of starting and annually thereafter. Situational telework may be approved for limited-duration, occasional, emergency, or ad hoc work, subject to eligibility and agency policy.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen.
Possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university, or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed by state law.
Be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of a U.S. jurisdiction’s bar in good standing before entry on duty.
For GS-11, have an LL.M.; or at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 conducting legal research and assisting legal representation; or qualifying superior law student activities while earning a J.D.
For GS-12, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 performing legal analysis and research to formulate recommendations for client program offices and assisting with legal representation.
For GS-13, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 performing legal analysis and research to formulate recommendations for client program staff and managers and providing legal representation.
Demonstrate written communication, problem solving, and oral communication competencies.
Undergo a background investigation and satisfy all pre-employment security process conditions.
Self-certify annually and in writing that active bar membership is maintained.
Complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of the first day of employment and annually thereafter if selected.
Physically report to the stated duty station on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice, conduct legal research, prepare legal documentation, and make policy recommendations on complex legal matters.
Perform litigation activities for enforcement and defensive matters, including discovery, motions, briefs, oral argument support, and representation in administrative, civil, or judicial proceedings.
Draft Agency determinations, proposed regulations, and Federal Register notices for final review and issuance by leadership.
Lead negotiations, informal dispute resolution, and representational work for the Region in complex matters.
Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
Perform liaison and specialized team work.
Provide legal opinions, counsel, and litigation support to regional program and management divisions and offices.
Consult and coordinate with attorneys in EPA’s Office of General Counsel and other Office of Regional Counsel offices to support consistency in legal positions.
Provide legal advice on ethics issues and perform Regional Hearing Clerk functions.