Duties

Summary

This position is located in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General, Office of the Chief of Staff, Administrative Investigations in Washington, DC.

The salary will be commensurate with the duty location.

One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy.

EXCEPTED SERVICE: This position is being filled using the excepted service hiring authority Schedule A, 213.3102(d). Attorneys for this occupation.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As an Attorney-Advisor you will serve as the Investigative Counsel in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Administrative Investigations Directorate and be responsible for:

• Conducts investigations and inquiries of potential administrative statutes, regulations, rules, or policies, including developing investigative plans, preparing for and conducting interviews of witnesses and subjects, and reviewing documentary evidence;
• Prepares and reviews legal documents and other materials in connection with ongoing investigations, including subpoenas and document requests, analytical memoranda, and reports of interview;
• Conducts legal research and provides legal guidance on the scope and conduct of investigations, as well as advises OIG leadership on substantive legal matters encountered during investigations, including determining legal precedent applicable to investigations, applying criminal, civil, and administrative laws to specific fact patterns, and assessing sufficiency of evidence following investigative activities;
• Reviews evidence and information or allegations concerning conduct of grantees, contractors, or senior-level employees that may violate governing law, regulations, rules, policies, and standards of conduct;
• Drafts reports of investigations or other analytical written products that present complex fact patterns, explain governing laws, rules, and policies, and analyze evidence gathered in an investigation;
• Engages whistleblowers, congressional staff, and other sources regarding the potential or ongoing administrative investigations, including responding to requests or inquiries;
• Maintains a close and continuing working relationship with other entities, including EPA components, other OIGs, representatives of Congressional committees, regarding the OIG's administrative investigations, representing OIG as necessary at meetings on a wide range of topics relating to the operations of the OIG's administrative investigations

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
No - Each grade is at the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Position has portable work and selectee may be eligible to telework.
• The incumbent must obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• You must submit resume and required documents (See How to Apply)

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.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D., LL.M or LL.B. degree and be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction) and must have at least two or more years of post J.D./LL.B. experience, including knowledge of Federal statutes and regulations, experience in working collaboratively with DOJ or USAO that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must have one or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-11 grade level.

To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must have two or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 grade level.

To qualify at the GS-14 level, applicants must have three or more years of post-J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level.

To qualify at the GS-15 level, applicants must have four or more years of post-J.D. legal experience in ethics, two of which were specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level.

Examples of specialized experience include:

Legal work performed is characterized by one or more of the following features:

(1) Extremely complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues which are involved in the drafting, interpretation, or application of legislation, regulations, contracts, orders, decisions, opinions, or other legal instruments and require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in order to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests; or complex factual or policy issues are involved requiring extensive research, analysis, and obtaining and evaluating of expert testimony or information in controversial areas of scientific, financial, corporate, medical, engineering, or other highly technical areas.

(2) Cases or problems which have the effect of substantially broadening or restricting the activities of an agency; or have an important impact on a major industry whose economic position affects the health and stability of the general economy. Cases or problems have an important impact on major private or public interests. Also included are problems of unusual delicacy, such as fraud cases, because of the serious consequence of error and the great burden of proof assumed by the Government.

(3) Cases or problems frequently involving, directly or indirectly, senior Agency officials are frequently vigorously contested by extremely capable legal talent. Interest in these investigations is generally nationwide.

Education

This is an attorney position. Applicants must have a Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Active bar membership (of any jurisdiction) is required.

Additional information

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.

If you have part-time work experience, read this: 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 .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Excepted Service Authority. Under the provisions of the Excepted Service Authority, traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply. We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. All applicants who meet these requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted online:

--Cover Letter(highlighting relevant experience).
--Copy of bar certification.
--Résumé- Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
--A copy of the unofficial law school transcripts (official transcripts due before final offer).
--Writing Sample(Sample should not exceed 10 pages. Applicants should indicate their contribution if the writing was not their effort alone).

--SF-50(s) to document eligibility.
--Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities(if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc.
--
Veterans Preference Documentation(if applicable; see below):
If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/ .
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage or call 1-800-827-1000.

If you want to know more about submitting documentation to our office, visit EPA's 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.