Duties

Summary

This position is in Office of Mission Support, Office of Administrative Law Judges, Washington, DC. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About Office of Mission Support: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-mission-support

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• The incumbent analyzes complex, legal, scientific, engineering and other information and interprets the significance of this data under prevailing legal principles, as expressed in statues, regulations, and case law.
• Conducts legal research in connection with legal research at the direction of Administrative Law Judges in connection with legal issues pertaining to the interpretation and application of various environmental statutes, rules, regulations and EPA's policies and practices
• Incumbent works closely with the Administrative Law Judges on sensitive and confidential matters.

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.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
• Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).
• An LL.B. or J.D. is required.

This is an Excepted Service position. It is excluded from provisions of the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status. However, this program is covered for the purposes of Federal retirement and benefits programs.

This position is designated as Moderate 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.

Current Bar membership in good standing/law license is required.

Must self-certify, annually and in writing of active bar membership.

If you are selected, you must complete a one-year trial period.

Qualifications

You need a degree as described below to qualify for this position.

An LL.B. or J.D. degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Must be admitted to practice before the highest court of a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and must maintain active status as a member of the bar of one of these jurisdictions.

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you need to have at least one year of full time relevant experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as conducting legal research and writing on complex legal issues and preparing legal memoranda OR LL.M. degree OR superior law student work or activities while earning LL.B. or J.D. such as academic standing in the upper third of law school graduating class, work or achievement of significance on law school's official law review, special high level honors for academic excellence such as election to the Order of the Coif, winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team which represents the law school in competition with other law schools, or full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program or significant summer law office clerk experience or other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement as determined by the hiring agency.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts, or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement. However, if you are selected you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA. More information on verification of education can be found here: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

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

Additional information

If you are selected, your appointment may be extended beyond the initial not-to-exceed date to a maximum of two years.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

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.

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. Qualified candidates will be referred for further consideration and may be subject to additional assessments.

EPA considers veteran's preference eligibility as a positive factor. Applicants who have veteran's preference eligibility 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.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted online:

--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
--Responses to the online assessment questionnaire (you must complete this online - it is not a document you need to upload).
--College transcripts - if qualifying for this position based on education or a combination of experience and education, you are required to submit either unofficial 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.
--Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit 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 within 120 days after you submit the certification).
--Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.

Additional information can be found on our website: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

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.