General Attorney

A Government Entity

  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Not Specified
  • Full Time
  • 26-NT-12960382-EX
  • 77,211 - 143,062 / Yearly
  • Not Specified
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Closing Date: 27th May, 2026

Description:

Summary:
This position is in the Office of Chief Counsel for NETL. As a General Attorney you will engage in the full spectrum of federal agency legal practice, including federal procurement and grant/financial assistance law, coordinating between Finance, Acquisition, and NETL Legal Division, providing legal advice concerning mission readiness. Will also be engaged in providing administrative law, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), labor and employment law advice, litigation, and litigation support.

Duties:
We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DN9rViYlVVzY&data=05%7C01%7Cerika.hardy%40hc.doe.gov%7C591f1fbcbf8d47b4609c08dbf772448f%7C6b183ecc4b554ed5b3f87f64be1c4138%7C0%7C0%7C638375842372375518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QWL85LGcwL4z4dy0h1A%2F%2BRh6gP95Qn5U0YtnlGS6qiM%3D&reserved=0)

The following are duties at the full performance level of this position GS-15. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties:
  • Provide support to NETL financial assistance activities including counseling programs during the planning of Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcements, and reviewing for legal compliance award review and selection procedures, and terms and conditions for financial assistance awards made pursuant to a Funding Opportunity Announcement.
  • Be responsible for provision of a full range of legal services required to support the programs, projects and functions assigned to the Laboratory and affiliated offices, including:
  • Interpreting and applying federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements and agency policy.
  • Address legal and contractual issues associated with federal procurements and federal research and development grants and cooperative agreements.
  • Provide negotiation of agreements.
  • Provide legal advice and analysis concerning environmental law, labor law and
  • Federal agency ethics.
  • Provide litigation assistance and litigation support.
  • Give legal support to Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act programs.

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:
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-13 Qualifications: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
  • Experience in leading legal compliance or the enforcement of state or federal laws, regulations, or policies that apply to public entities including but not limited to elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education programs.
  • Experience with serving as a technical authority or subject matter expert civil rights laws, administrative law, or some other comparatively complex body of law.
  • Experience providing legal advice and developing legal strategies, opinions, and guidance on complex legal issues.

GS-12 Qualifications: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
  • Experience in analyzing legal compliance or the enforcement of state or federal laws, regulations, or policies that apply to public entities including but not limited to elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education programs.
  • Experience with investigative, analytical, and evaluative techniques to support or lead compliance-driven casework.
  • Experience communicating complex legal information clearly and effectively through written memoranda and oral briefings to staff and supervisors.

GS-11 Qualifications: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
  • Experience in assisting with legal compliance or the enforcement of state or federal laws, regulations, or policies that apply to public entities including but not limited to elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education programs.
  • Experience conducting legal research and drafting legal documents or portions of legal opinions.
  • Experience communication information through written memoranda and oral briefings to staff and supervisors.

"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:
There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional Information:
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.