Attorney Adviser

Environmental Protection Agency; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 seeks a qualified attorney to handle complex civil and enforcement matters in the Office of Regional Counsel, Superfund Branch. The role requires independent management, strategic drafting, and interagency coordination to protect public health and the environment. Qualified candidates will hold an LL.M.

or J.D. with demonstrated experience in legal research, writing, and advising senior managers.

Qualifications

• LL.M. degree OR J.D. degree or equivalent qualifying experience.
• Superior law student activities include high academic or leadership honors.
• Specialized experience for GS-11/12 includes legal research, drafting memos, briefs, and advising senior decision-makers.

Responsibilities

• Independently managing complex civil/administrative enforcement and counseling matters.
• Lead drafter and coordinator of substantive legal work products (discovery, motions, briefs, orders, settlements).
• Negotiate and resolve disputed matters on behalf of the region.
• Provide clear, risk-informed legal advice to program officials to inform policy and decisions.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Attention to Detail

Written Communication

Strategic Thinking

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Education

LL.M. degree

J.D. degree

Superior law student activities

Job description

This position is in Region 7, Office of Regional Counsel, Superfund Branch. About: Region 7 This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA. If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis. NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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 performing legal research and analysis; drafting legal memoranda, briefs, or other substantive legal documents; and formulating and delivering recommendations to senior managers or other decision-makers.
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 independently managing complex civil/administrative enforcement and counseling matters; serving as lead drafter and coordinator of substantive legal work products (e.g., discovery, motions, briefs, administrative orders, consent decrees/settlement agreements) with minimal revision; negotiating and resolving disputed matters on behalf of the region; and providing clear, risk-informed legal advice to program officials that informs policy and program decisions.

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

• Critical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Written Communication*
• Strategic Thinking*
• Problem Solving* (assessed at GS-11 only)
• Interpersonal Skills* (assessed at GS-12 only)
• 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: