Closing Date: 2nd November, 2026
Description:
Summary:This position is in Region 5, Office of Regional Councel. About this organization: Region 5 (https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-5)
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Duties:
At the highest advertised grade, you will:
If you are hired at a lower grade level, your duties will be less complex and you will have more supervisory oversight. You may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
#LI-Onsite
You must be a U.S. citizen.
If you have not yet passed the bar exam, offer of employment will be contingent upon admission to the bar and licensure/authorization to practice as an attorney.
You must self-certify annually and in writing that you hold an active bar membership.
If you are selected, you may be required to complete a trial period (two years if you are not a preference eligible; one year if you are a preference eligible).
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.
REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security (https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-5) and REAL ID FAQs. (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dhs.gov%2Freal-id%2Freal-id-faqs&data=05%7C02%7CCurtis.Susan%40epa.gov%7C2c7d5b62d9a74c452c4c08dd0a320462%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C638677932622177920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oCMXJqnb4dsF7f77zTQUdGO8bpIZQksw7T5SoC1%2BgHE%3D&reserved=0)
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.
Qualifications:
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:
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:
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.
- Provide legal advice, perform legal research, prepare legal documentation, and make policy recommendations on complex legal matters with greater independence.
- Perform the full range of litigation activities for varied and complex enforcement and defensive matters, including discovery, motions, briefs, oral argument support, and representation in administrative, civil, or judicial proceedings.
- Draft Agency determinations, proposed regulations, and Federal Register notices for final review and issuance by leadership.
- Lead negotiation, informal dispute resolution, and representational work for the Region in complex matters and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Perform liaison and specialized team work.
One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
#LI-Onsite
You must be a U.S. citizen.
If you have not yet passed the bar exam, offer of employment will be contingent upon admission to the bar and licensure/authorization to practice as an attorney.
You must self-certify annually and in writing that you hold an active bar membership.
If you are selected, you may be required to complete a trial period (two years if you are not a preference eligible; one year if you are a preference eligible).
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.
REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security (https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-5) and REAL ID FAQs. (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dhs.gov%2Freal-id%2Freal-id-faqs&data=05%7C02%7CCurtis.Susan%40epa.gov%7C2c7d5b62d9a74c452c4c08dd0a320462%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C638677932622177920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oCMXJqnb4dsF7f77zTQUdGO8bpIZQksw7T5SoC1%2BgHE%3D&reserved=0)
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.
Qualifications:
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:
- Academic standing in upper third of law school graduating class;
- Work or achievement of significance on law school's law review;
- Special high-level honors for academic excellence, such as election to Order of the Coif;
- Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team representing the law school in competition with other law schools;
- Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program or significant summer law office clerk experience; or
- 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 *
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. (https://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures#parttime)
Education:
You must:
Note: Bar membership and licensure are not required at the time of application, but you must be admitted to the bar and obtain your license before entry on duty.
For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation. (https://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures#edu)
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.
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.
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: E-Verify. (https://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures#everify)
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.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
About the Office of Regional Counsel, Region 5: The Office of Regional Counsel acts as the principal legal adviser to the Regional Administrator and provides legal opinions, legal counsel and litigation support to all regional program and management divisions and offices. The primary statutes enforced by EPA are the Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund); and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. ORC also provides legal advice on ethics iss
Education:
You must:
- possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university or equivalent apprentice experience as allowed per state law; and
- be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
- be an active member of the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction in good standing.
For information about accreditation requirements, visit Accreditation. (https://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures#edu)
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.
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.
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: E-Verify. (https://www.epa.gov/careers/epa-job-vacancy-announcements-policies-and-procedures#everify)
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.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
About the Office of Regional Counsel, Region 5: The Office of Regional Counsel acts as the principal legal adviser to the Regional Administrator and provides legal opinions, legal counsel and litigation support to all regional program and management divisions and offices. The primary statutes enforced by EPA are the Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund); and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. ORC also provides legal advice on ethics iss
