Attorney Adviser

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

Job summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, Office of Regional Counsel, Superfund Branch, seeks qualified attorneys for a Region-wide program.

The position is office-centered and requires regular reporting to the stated duty station and meeting qualification requirements by the closing date. To qualify, applicants must meet GS-11 or GS-12 level criteria, including the specified degrees or experience, and demonstrate essential competencies such as critical thinking, written and oral

Qualifications

• GS-11 requires either an LL.M. degree, or one year specialized experience at GS-09, including legal research, drafting memos/briefs, and advising senior managers.
• GS-12 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, handling complex enforcement and leading substantive legal work products.
• Competencies include Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Written/Oral Communication, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving (GS-11), Interpersonal Skills (GS-12).

Skills

Critical Thinking

Attention to Detail

Written Communication

Strategic Thinking

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Education

LL.M. degree

J.D. degree

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. 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
• 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.
• 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: Part-Time Experience.