General Attorney

Department of Energy Headquarters • Lemont, IL

1d

About The Position

The Office of Science, Office of Chief Counsel seeks a General Attorney to represent assigned site offices, including the Oak Ridge Site Office. The attorney serves as principal legal adviser on a range of matters, including procurements, ethics, and administrative cases involving the EEOC, MSPB, OHA, and OSC.

The attorney provides authoritative legal analyses, formal opinions, and risk assessments to agency leadership on complex and sensitive program matters, statutory authorities, and policies. The role includes representing the agency in negotiations and high-level meetings with internal and external stakeholders; conducting complex legal research; analyzing proposed legislation, rules, and directives; and managing administrative litigation, procurement matters, and significant real estate matters. The attorney also reviews major contracts and grants for legal sufficiency and advises on federal personnel, ethics, FOIA, and Privacy Act matters, including complex Management and Operating (M&O) and facility contracts and subcontracts.

Candidates must hold an ABA-accredited law degree and maintain active membership in good standing of a qualifying U.S. bar. Specialized experience requirements vary by grade level, GS-12 through GS-14. The position may be subject to a background investigation, potentially up to a Top Secret DOE “Q” clearance, and may include a trial period of up to two years.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Successful completion of a full course of study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school, earning an LL.B. or J.D.
• Current, active membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; membership must be maintained while employed as a DOE attorney.
• GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including legal training and experience handling administrative litigation and related issues, and drafting legal documents such as memoranda, briefs, motions, pleadings, advisory opinions, or regulatory comments.
• GS-13: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, meeting two of three criteria: complex legal research; drafting comprehensive legal documents; or providing independent legal advice and guidance to management or clients.
• GS-14: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including contested proceedings or transaction reviews; drafting comprehensive legal documents; and providing independent legal advice and guidance to management or clients.
• Submit law school transcripts or equivalent documentation and proof of bar membership or a bar number.
• If selected, complete any required suitability or fitness determination and background investigation.
• If selected, complete a trial period of up to two years if required.
• If selected, submit a Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE-450) when required for GS-12 and above.
• If selected, disclose whether currently or within the last five years a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee, if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative legal analyses, formal opinions, and risk assessments to agency leadership on complex program matters, statutory authorities, and policies.
• Represent the agency and serve as a legal liaison in negotiations, task forces, and high-level meetings with federal agencies, Congress, state and local entities, foreign governments, and industry.
• Conduct complex legal research using professional databases to develop legal solutions for ambiguous or novel questions.
• Analyze proposed federal legislation, administrative rules, and agency directives, and draft comments to protect agency missions and interests.
• Manage administrative litigation, procurement matters, and significant real estate matters.
• Draft legal briefs and pleadings for hearings and lead administrative litigation, including EEOC and MSPB matters.
• Review major contracts and grants for legal sufficiency.
• Advise on federal personnel, ethics, FOIA, and Privacy Act matters.
• Advise on procurements, including complex Management and Operating (M&O) and facility contracts and subcontracts.
• Represent assigned site offices, including the Oak Ridge Site Office, as principal attorney.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized under agency policy if funding is available.
• Possible workplace flexibilities, including remote work or telework options and flexible work scheduling, subject to agency policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree