Attorney Adviser (Assistant General Counsel)

CRFLO provides legal counsel and services to EPA programs with respect to a myriad of federal statutes concerning contracts claims by and against the Agency real and personal property financial assistance awards interagency agreements appropriations law civil rights and equal employment opportunity. This position is for an Assistant General Counsel covering areas including appropriations law and/or federal financial assistance law or other similar areas including litigation.

You will:

• Lead a team of attorneys by providing clear direction to staff on matters related to the assigned area; provide feedback on assigned tasks to elevate the quality of legal work and ensure the delivery of sound legal advice; and resolve difficult issues requiring a high degree of professional judgment.
• Handle highly complex legal issues assess risk and deliver well-reasoned timely legal advice; and consider facts and evidence the need for consistency in the assigned areas of practice and other relevant factors in rendering legal advice.
• Advise the staff of client program offices and participate in proceedings that substantially broaden or restrict major EPA activities (e.g. regulations legislation litigation) and recommend appropriate legal action; orally communicate highly complex legal concepts clearly and produce high-quality written work that is legally sound and persuasive clearly stating the facts and legal issues and justifying all recommendations and conclusions.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations) if appropriate to the position.

#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 drivers 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 drivers license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking or must be an Enhanced Drivers 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 and REAL ID FAQs.

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.

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 independently performing and guiding legal analysis; reviewing pleadings briefs or other documents involving unique or difficult legal issues in counseling or litigation; conducting highly complex legal counseling or litigation; or leading teams handling complex counseling or litigation including advising junior attorneys paralegals or other staff.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully and you will be evaluated on these competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Coaching and Developing Others
• Critical Thinking
• Environmental or Other Relevant Laws and Regulations
• Leadership
• Legal Government and Jurisprudence
• Oral Communication
• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Competence
• Written 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.