Attorney-Adviser

US Environmental Protection Agency; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Office of Regional Counsel seeks a qualified attorney to perform legal research and assist with negotiations, administrative proceedings, civil actions, and/or judicial proceedings. The role requires a JD (and possibly an LL.M.) and strong analytical skills.

This position emphasizes written and oral communication, client advice, and providing legal representation support to agency program offices; on-site reporting is required at the duty station

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent professional experience.
• LL.M. degree may satisfy the GS-11 qualification.
• Strong research and analytical skills for legal issues and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research and advise on negotiations, administrative proceedings, civil actions, and judicial proceedings.
• Provide legal representation assistance to client program offices and managers.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Problem solving

Education

J.D. degree

LL.M. degree

Job description

This position is in Region 5, Office of Regional Councel. About this organization: Region 5

This is an office-centered position–you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. NOTE: 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-11 level, you must have either:

-an LL.M. degree

OR

-at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level defined as conducting legal research and assisting legal representation in negotiations, administrative proceedings, civil actions, and/or judicial proceedings.

OR

-completed superior law student activities while earning a J.D. degree. Superior law student activities include:
(A) Academic standing in upper third of law school graduating class;
(B) Work or achievement of significance on law school's law review;
(C) Special high-level honors for academic excellence, such as election to Order of the Coif;
(D) Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team representing the law school in competition with other law schools;
(E) Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program or significant summer law office clerk experience; or
(F) Other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement, as determined by the hiring office and documented in writing for the case file.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as performing legal analysis and research on issues to formulate recommendations for client program offices; and assisting with legal representation in negotiations, administrative proceedings, civil actions, and/or judicial proceedings.

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 performing legal analysis and research on issues to formulate recommendations for client program staff and managers; and providing legal representation in negotiations, administrative proceedings, civil actions, and/or judicial proceedings.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

• Written Communication *
• Problem Solving *
• Oral Communication *

*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