Closing Date: 4th November, 2026
Description:
Summary:The Office of Science, Office of Chief Counsel seeks a general attorney to represent assigned site offices, including the Oak Ridge Site Office, as principal attorney advising in numerous legal aspects, such as procurements, ethics, and administrative matters (including EEOC, MSPB, OHA, and OSC cases).
Duties:
Duties:
As a full performance General Attorney you will:
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Requirements:
All applicants MUST:
Qualification Requirements:
GS-12 Qualifications:
- Provide Legal and Policy Counsel: Deliver authoritative legal analyses, formal opinions, and risk assessments to agency leadership on complex, sensitive, and high-impact program matters, statutory authorities, and policies.
- Represent the Agency with External and Internal Stakeholders: Serve as a legal representative and liaison in negotiations, task forces, and high-level meetings with other federal agencies, Congress, state/local entities, foreign governments, and industry.
- Conduct In-Depth Legal Research and Analysis: Perform complex legal research using professional databases to develop sound legal solutions where precedent, caselaw, or agency policies are ambiguous or undefined.
- Review Legislation, Rulemaking, and Regulations: Analyze and draft comments on proposed federal legislation, administrative rules, and agency directives to protect and advance statutory missions and interests.
- Manage Administrative Litigation, Procurement, and significant real estate matters; draft legal briefs and pleadings for hearings, lead administrative litigation (e.g., EEOC, MSPB), review major contracts/grants for legal sufficiency, and advise on federal personnel, ethics, and information-access laws (such as FOIA and Privacy).
- Advise on procurements, including complex Management and Operating (M&O) and Facility contracts and subcontracts.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
- If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
- If selected, you may be required to complete a two year trial period.
- The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
- GS-12 and above are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential
- If selected, you must self-identify if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee as OPM approval is required prior to finalizing your selection.
- Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State, District of Columbia, territory of the United States, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with DOE.
- This position is NOT included in a Bargaining Agreement.
Qualifications:
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Requirements:
All applicants MUST:
- Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
- Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Qualification Requirements:
GS-12 Qualifications:
SpecIalized Experience Requirements: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 1 of 2 of the following:
GS-13 Qualifications:
Specialized Experience Requirements: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following:
GS-14 Qualifications:
Specialized Experience Requirements: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
Education:
Attorney positions do have an education requirement.
ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:
For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit:
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications)
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional Information:
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- Legal training and experience in handling administrative litigation cases and related issues.
- Drafting legal documents, such as legal memoranda, briefs, motions, pleadings, advisory opinions, or regulatory comments, clearly synthesizing facts, applicable law, and conclusions.
Specialized Experience Requirements: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following:
- Conducting complex legal research by analyzing federal or state statutes, regulations, court decisions, and administrative precedents to resolve complicated, contested, or novel legal and factual questions.
- Drafting comprehensive legal documents, such as formal legal opinions, memoranda, pleadings, motions, or settlement agreements, that present well-reasoned analyses and actionable conclusions.
- Providing independent legal advice and guidance to management, program clients, or corporate officials on the interpretation and practical application of laws, administrative procedures, and governing regulations.
Specialized Experience Requirements: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:
- Handling contested proceedings or transaction reviews, such as representing a client or organization in administrative hearings, civil proceedings, or alternative dispute resolution (ADR); participating in witness examination and case preparation; or reviewing and negotiating complex contracts, permits, or regulatory filings for legal sufficiency.
- Drafting comprehensive legal documents, such as formal legal opinions, memoranda, pleadings, motions, or settlement agreements, that present well-reasoned analyses and actionable conclusions.
- Providing independent legal advice and guidance to management, program clients, or corporate officials on the interpretation and practical application of laws, administrative procedures, and governing regulations.
Education:
Attorney positions do have an education requirement.
ALL Candidates must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree; OR
- Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.
- A copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.; AND
- You must provide proof of bar or your bar number.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications)
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional Information:
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- Your position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the DOE Workplace Flexibilities policy.
- New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
- Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets (https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/inte
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