Regional Counsel

Full Job Description

These Senior Executive Service (SES) positions are located in the Office of Regional Counsel for: Region 1 (New England) Region 2 Region 4 (Southeast) Region 6 (South Central) This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

The work of this position is classified in the General Attorney, 0905 series. Applicants must have a LL.M or J.D.

degree from an accredited law school; must be admitted to practice before the highest court of a State, U. S.

territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and must maintain active status as a member of the bar of one of these jurisdictions.

The incumbent must have significant experience in providing legal advice and counsel such as at EPA; other federal, state, or local agencies; or in private practice.

All applicants must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform in this role.

Typically this experience can be found in work within this field or a field that is closely related.

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service, applicants must also provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below.

A.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) - Mandatory for competitive applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified, unless you are a noncompetitive eligible applicant.

ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING.

Involves demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY.

Involves demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Involves demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE.

Involves demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS.

Involves demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. Leadership competencies for each ECQ can be found in OPM's Guide to SES Qualifications.

B. Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Mandatory for all applicants - Failure to address these factors within the required 2-page resume will result in your application being disqualified.

TQ 1 - Demonstrated experience leading and/or managing attorneys in complex counseling, enforcement, and litigation matters involving federal environmental protection laws, regulations, and/or programs.

Major Duties:

The Regional Counsel (RC) provides senior leadership to the Office of Regional Counsel (ORC).

The RC serves as principal legal adviser to the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the Regional Administrator, and Regional program managers and, as such, has responsibility for providing legal advice and assistance and policy recommendations on counseling and enforcement matters involving the whole range of environmental issues handled by the EPA.

The RC reports to both the Assistant Administrator (AA) for OECA and the General Counsel.

The activities of the ORC are of major importance within the Region and due to the potentially precedential effects thereof, may be of nationwide importance.

These activities may have a substantial influence on the protection and enhancement of the Nation's environment.

The following duties and responsibilities are to be carried out either by the RC personally or through appropriate staff attorneys: Reviewing and resolving the legal questions which arise under all regulations, lawsuits, enforcement actions, executive orders, and other administrative actions involving major federal statutes affecting the Agency programs.

Providing general legal advice and policy recommendations regarding Regional programs, operations, and activities.

Providing legal advice and policy recommendations on civil judicial and administrative enforcement matters arising under EPA enforcement programs.

Providing legal advice and policy recommendations to managers of Agency financial assistance programs.

Drafting and reviewing final Agency determinations, proposed and final regulations, notices, and such other documents to be published in the Federal Register.

Supervising and coordinating the Region's participation in defensive and enforcement litigation. Representing the Region in its dealings with outside parties.

Overseeing the Region's compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, regulations, policies, and Executive Orders. Representing the Region as counsel in personnel actions brought against the Agency.

Serving as the hearing officer in hearing and deciding matters brought before the Agency.

Communicating and coordinating with the legal representatives of state agencies administering EPA programs within the Region. Serving as a liaison between the Region and OECA and OGC.

As tasked by the General Counsel or the AA for OECA, serving as a national legal expert in one or more major subject matter areas.

Directing and managing the activities, staff, and resources assigned to the Office. Serving as the Region's Deputy Ethics Official.

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