About this role
Job SummaryThis announcement has been amended to close 6/18/2026. This position is in Region 10, Office of Regional Counsel, Law Land Branch 1. About Region 10: Region 10. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).
QualificationsNOTE: 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-13 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as researching, analyzing, and managing diverse legal issues or projects; and independently providing legal counsel at federal, state, local agencies, and/or private practice. To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as leading and resolving legal issues or projects; providing authoritative legal counsel to senior officials; developing legal strategies, policies, or guidance; and representing or negotiating on behalf of an organization in litigation or administrative proceedings in federal, state, local, and/or private practice. You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully: Attention to Detail. * (Both GS-13 and GS-14) Environmental Laws and Regulations. * (Both GS-13 and GS-14) Oral Communication. Written Communication. * (Both GS-13 and GS-14) Critical Thinking. Influencing/Negotiating. Interpersonal Skills. *You will be evaluated on these critical competencies. 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.
Major DutiesAt the full performance level of this position, you will: Provide legal advice, perform legal research and resolve legal questions, prepare legal documentation, and provide policy recommendations to program clients regarding issues arising under environmental laws. Perform full range of litigation activities, manage and coordinate complex enforcement and/or defensive ligation to represent the Region in legal proceedings. Draft and review Agency determinations, proposed regulations, notices, and other documents to be published in the Federal Register. Represent the Region in complex dealings with outside parties to perform negotiation, informal dispute resolution, and Regional representation work. Maintain liaison with headquarters offices, as appropriate, to provide an effective channel of communication between those offices and the Region, serve as coordinator of one or more subject matter areas and maintains specialized expertise. If you are hired at a grade level lower than the full performance level (i.e., highest promotion potential level), your duties will be less complex and you will have more supervisory oversight. 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. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.Requirements#LI-Onsite You must be a U.S. citizen. If you have not yet passed the bar exam, offer of employment will be contingent upon admission to the bar and licensure/authorization to practice as an attorney. 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 trial period (two years if you are not a preference eligible; one year if you are a preference eligible). 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. REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs. 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.