Duties

You will:

• Review and analyze the administrative record for each matter pending before the Senior Debarring Official (SDO) (including suspensions, proposed debarments, debarments, administrative agreements, voluntary exclusions, reconsideration, early termination, and reinstatement of eligibility from statutory disqualification) and makes recommendations on the proper disposition
• Manage procedural aspects of the docket by coordinating with all parties, issuing scheduling notices, resolving all procedural issues and setting the date/time for the presentation of matters in oppositions (PMIO) and fact-finding hearings as necessary. Conduct and manage contested hearings and Presentations of Matters in Opposition by Respondents opposing agency action as required by law and regulations
• Draft and/or review final agency decisions, analyzes judicial and administrative records, including transcriptions of hearing testimonies and pleadings, evaluates facts, determines questions of law, and either recommends adoption of a decision prepared by another Hearing Officer or drafts own decision for issuance by the Debarring Official who exercise final authority in such matters
• Conduct fact-finding hearings to make appropriate findings of fact and to resolve disputes of material facts arising during contested suspension and debarment proceedings.
• Coordinate and engage with attorneys from the Office of General Counsel (OGC), as well as attorneys and investigators from SDD, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and Criminal Investigative Division (CID), contracting officers and award officials, and/or other agency program officials as necessary to successfully process and conclude all cases and matters before the SDO

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• An LL.B. or J.D. is required.
• You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
• This is a temporary position (see Other Information on assignment limits).
• You must be a U.S. citizen.

Current Bar membership in good standing/law license is required. You must self-certify annually and in writing that you hold an active bar membership.

As required by Executive Order 14043, if you are selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by 11/22/21, or before onboarding with the agency if after 11/22/21, except in limited circumstances. For information about COVID-19 workplace safety at EPA, as well as resources and health and safety guidance, visit COVID-19 Safe Federal Workplace .

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.

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.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year trial period.

Qualifications

You 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, the following specialized training or experience is desired:

• Understanding and applying complex statutory and regulatory requirements and procedures; to digest, synthesize, and summarize complex and lengthy administrative records, hearing transcripts and briefs or similar materials; to resolve difficult and often novel factual and legal issues in accordance with applicable statutory, procedural and other legal requirements or precedents; and to communicate effectively complex factual and legal issues orally and in writing.

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: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This position is excluded from provisions of the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency's workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA . You can also hear a diverse group of attorneys talk about their careers at EPA on the Legal Careers at EPA Webinar .

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 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.

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 in the Overview section.

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.