Closing Date: 15th June, 2026
Description:
Summary:These positions are in the Office of the Administrator (AO), Office of Civil Rights and Adjudication, Environmental Appeals Board Division. About AO. (https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-administrator)
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
Duties:
You Will:
- Advise Judges and draft proposed recommendations.
- Conduct and direct legal research, analysis, and draft decisions and orders of the Environmental Appeals Board.
- Serve as Lead Attorney on Board matters and projects.
- Stay abreast of legal developments and share expertise.
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://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dhs.gov%2Freal-id&data=05%7C02%7CCurtis.Susan%40epa.gov%7C2c7d5b62d9a74c452c4c08dd0a320462%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C638677932622165029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jC78w3UVEoV4boT8JTVG3%2Fnv6chNlhHQgh78MSJKG0o%3D&reserved=0) 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-15 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level defined as providing legal advice in environmental and/or administrative law; and adjudicating and/or proposing resolutions to a wide range of difficult problems.
You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:
- Written communication.*
- Oral communication.
- Technical Knowledge (Related to Position).*
- Leadership.*
- Critical Thinking.
- Teamwork.
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#parttime0
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.
Additional Information:
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits:
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.
Additional Information:
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits:
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits. (https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits?_gl=1*w3sn34*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODExNTI1ODEkbzEzJGcxJHQxNzgxMTUyNzMxJGo1OCRsMCRoMA..)
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. (http://www.epa.gov/careers/)
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.
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. (http://www.epa.gov/careers/)
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.
Review our benefits (https://www.epa.gov/careers/salaries-and-benefits)
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and required docum
Review our benefits (https://www.epa.gov/careers/salaries-and-benefits)
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and required docum
