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Pacific Southwest, Region 9

Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations

Available Positions

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Experienced Clean Air Act Attorney Position | San Francisco, CA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pacific Southwest (Region 9), Office of Regional Counsel, is seeking applications from experienced attorneys for a full-time position to do legal work under the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) in its San Francisco office. The application deadline is Friday, June 3, 2016.

We encourage attorneys with four or more years of legal experience working on matters under the CAA to apply. The work will primarily consist of counseling along with some enforcement work under the CAA, including:

  • Working closely with the Regional air program office on State Implementation Plans (SIPs), including reviewing SIP submittals, preparing and reviewing Federal Register notices, ensuring complete dockets, responding to comments as needed, and coordinating with state and local agencies and other stakeholders as well as EPA regional and headquarters program and legal offices;
  • Reviewing and defending permit actions before the Environmental Appeals Board;
  • Providing legal advice and review of other CAA programs, including applicability determinations, compliance and monitoring requirements, and other state plan submittals;
  • Representing the agency in administrative and judicial enforcement actions; and
  • Along with the Department of Justice, defending the agency in litigation.

Additional duties may include counseling and enforcement actions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Federal insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and other federal environmental laws.

About the Office of Regional Counsel, Region 9

With over 700 employees, Region 9 is one of ten EPA regional offices and covers the geographic area of California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, and over 140 Tribal Nations. ORC attorneys provide legal support to the Region on both enforcement and counseling matters under the broad range of federal environmental laws, including the CAA, EPCRA, FIFRA and TSCA, as well as the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund), National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. We also work collaboratively with state, tribal, and local governments to implement these national environmental laws.

Regarding enforcement, attorneys are responsible for preparing administrative, judicial and criminal cases against violators of environmental laws. These cases involve developing and using technical and legal strategies for negotiations and litigation. Attorneys work with the Department of Justice on cases brought in federal court, but solely represent the Agency in administrative proceedings. We also work on federal facility matters.

In addition to preparing enforcement actions, ORC attorneys are responsible for providing counseling to all levels of management on the applicability and interpretation of environmental laws and policies in such matters as permitting, rulemaking, state and tribal program implementation, and other agency decisions. The Region also has innovative initiatives addressing environmental justice, brownfields redevelopment, Indian law matters, and urban and rural environmental issues. ORC attorneys also provide counseling in FOIA, grants, and other general governmental law areas.

Requirements and Qualifications

Candidates must have at least four or more years of legal experience on CAA matters, including SIP submittals and administrative and/or civil judicial enforcement. Candidates must possess superior legal research and writing skills, strong verbal communication skills, and excellent analytical skills. They must work well as part of a team and should have experience in negotiations and litigation.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens and members in good standing of a bar of one of the states, U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and possess a J.D. degree. In addition, the candidate’s suitability for employment must be confirmed by a background investigation.

The Region offers a diverse and supportive work environment. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. If you qualify for veterans preference and want the Agency to consider that preference as a positive factor in reviewing your application, you must include in your application appropriate documentation such as DD214 (copy 4), your VA letter, or Standard Form-15 (disabled veteran).

Salary and Benefits

This position is in the Excepted Service (and not in Competitive Service) and does not confer competitive status. Salary can range from $84,302 to $116,957. Full benefits are provided. Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Application Process

Please submit the following no later than Friday, June 3, 2016:

  • Cover letter explaining the applicant's interest in and qualifications for the position.
  • Resume, including significant accomplishments, work experience, law school class rank, contact telephone numbers, and e-mail address.
  • Transcript of law school grades and documentation of graduation from an ABA accredited law   school (unofficial is sufficient at this time).
  • Name, address and telephone numbers of three references, including a current or former employer and a law school professor or advisor.
  • Proof of active bar membership and license to practice law in any State, U.S. Territory, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia.
  • Veterans Preference supporting documents, if applicable.

All applications should be submitted by email to: R9ORCHonors@epa.gov
Applications should include “2016 Experienced CAA Attorney Application” in the subject line of the message. Documents may be attached in Word or PDF formats. Selected applicants will be invited for telephone interview(s). A writing sample will be required of each selected candidate before the interview.

For any questions, please send an email to R9ORCHonors@epa.gov with “Inquiry” in the subject line of the email. For other information about the EPA Pacific Southwest regional office, please visit our website.

EPA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

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2016 Environmental Law Honors Attorney Fellowship | San Francisco, CA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pacific Southwest (Region 9), Office of Regional Counsel, is pleased to announce its 2016 two-year Environmental Law Honors Attorney Fellowship. The Fellow is expected to commit to the full term and will be working in the San Francisco, CA office. We anticipate the Fellowship to begin in September 2016. The application deadline is Friday, June 3, 2016.

The Environmental Law Honors Attorney Fellowship is designed for a recent law school graduate who is a licensed attorney with excellent academic credentials and a strong interest in an environmental law career and experience in the public sector. It provides an opportunity for entry-level attorneys to practice environmental law within a leading governmental organization. The Region offers new attorneys significant responsibility, the opportunity to handle a complex caseload that includes enforcement and counseling work, and extensive training and mentoring from dedicated colleagues with recognized expertise. The Region offers a diverse and supportive work environment.

The Office of Regional Counsel, Region 9

With over 700 employees, Region 9 is one of ten EPA regional offices and covers the geographic region of California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, and over 140 Tribal Nations. ORC attorneys provide legal support to the Region on both enforcement and counseling matters under the broad range of federal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund), Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. We also work collaboratively with state, tribal, and local governments to implement these national environmental laws.

Regarding enforcement, attorneys are responsible for preparing administrative, judicial and criminal cases against violators of environmental laws. These cases involve developing and using technical and legal strategies for negotiations and litigation. Attorneys work with the Department of Justice on cases brought in federal court, but solely represent the Agency in administrative proceedings. We also work on federal facility matters.

In addition to preparing enforcement actions, ORC attorneys are responsible for providing counseling to all levels of management on the applicability and interpretation of environmental laws and policies in such matters as permitting, rulemaking, state and tribal program implementation, and other agency decisions. The Region also has innovative initiatives addressing environmental justice, brownfields redevelopment, Indian law matters, and urban and rural environmental issues. ORC attorneys also provide counseling in FOIA, grants, and other general governmental law areas.

Eligibility

Recent law school graduates with J.D. degree (2013, 2014 and 2015) who are licensed attorneys with active bar memberships (any State, U.S. Territory, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia) are eligible to apply. Applicants who are not bar members are not eligible for this program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. In addition, the candidate’s suitability for employment must be confirmed by a background investigation.

Veterans and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. If you qualify for veterans preference and want the Agency to consider that preference as a positive factor in reviewing your application, you must include in your application appropriate documentation such as DD214 (copy 4), your VA letter, or Standard Form-15 (disabled veteran).

Salary and Benefits

The Fellowship position is a full-time, two-year appointment paid at the GS-11 level (currently starting at $70,333). Full benefits are also provided. Relocation expenses are not authorized. This position is in the Excepted Service (and not in Competitive Service) and does not confer competitive status.

Application Process

Please submit the following no later than Friday, June 3, 2016:

  • Cover letter explaining the applicant's interest in the Fellowship.
  • Resume, including significant accomplishments, work experience, law school class rank, contact telephone numbers, and e-mail address.
  • Transcript of law school grades and documentation of graduation from an ABA accredited law school.
  • Name, address and telephone numbers of three references, including a current or former employer and a law school professor or advisor.
  • Proof of active bar membership and license to practice law in any State, U.S. Territory, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia.
  • Veterans Preference supporting documents, if applicable.

All applications should be submitted by email to: R9ORCHonors@epa.gov
Applications should include “2016 Environmental Honors Attorney Application” in the subject line of the message. Documents may be attached in Word or PDF formats. Selected applicants will be invited for telephone interview(s). A writing sample will be required of each selected candidate before the interview.

For any questions, please send an email to R9ORCHonors@epa.gov with “Inquiry” in the subject line of the email. For other information about the EPA Pacific Southwest regional office, please visit our website.

Please note that other EPA legal offices may have their own Honors Attorney Fellowship programs which are administered separately.

EPA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EPA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or other differences. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Honors Attorney Fellowships in Other EPA Offices

Other EPA Regional Counsel Offices and EPA Headquarter's Office of General Counsel may have Honors Attorney Fellowship programs for 2016. See the links below for more information:

Summer Law Clerks

We do not have Summer 2016 law clerk positions available. Please check on this website during Summer 2016 for an update on Summer 2017 law clerk opportunities.

Semester Interns

We are not currently accepting applications for semester interns.

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