ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (Investigative Counsel)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Inspector General Office of Inspector General. The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. We consist of auditors program analysts investigators and others with extensive expertise. Although we are a part of EPA Congress provides us with our funding separate from the agency to ensure our independence.

Duties

The Administrative Investigations Directorate (AID) within the Office of Special Review and Evaluation (OSRE) conducts administrative investigations of allegations of misconduct by senior agency employees and complaints of whistleblower reprisal by agency employees or employees of agency contractors subcontractors grantees subgrantees or personal services contractors. The office also manages the OIGs Hotline which serves as the main point of contact for agency employees and members of the public to report fraud waste abuse and mismanagement in agency programs and operations and violations of law regulations and policies by EPA and CSB employees grantees contractors and program participants.

The position serves as investigative counsel within AIDs Investigations Division focusing specifically on whistleblower reprisal investigations.
As a ATTORNEY-ADVISOR (Investigative Counsel) GSyour typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

• Conduct timely and complex administrative investigations concerning allegations of reprisal for whistleblowing by EPA or CSB employees or employees of EPA or CSB contractors subcontractors grantees or subgrantees or personal services contractors. This includes developing investigative plans conducting interviews of witnesses and subjects and obtaining and analyzing documentary evidence.
• Judiciously utilize a variety of technological tools to enhance investigative work including document review software to conduct large scale document reviews.
• Conduct legal research on complex matters encountered during investigations apply federal laws rules regulations and court decisions to specific fact patterns and prepare and defend written or oral legal opinions.
• Draft legal documents and other materials in connection with ongoing investigations including subpoenas document requests and analytical memoranda.
• Assess the sufficiency of evidence following investigative activities and draft clear detailed and supported reports of investigation and other work products.
• Engage with a wide range of sources including whistleblowers regarding potential or ongoing administrative investigations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service
• Résumé and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitability for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a TWO YEAR period.
• This position is in the excepted service.
• Selectee will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-450 annually.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements: Applicants must be (1) a graduate of an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D.; and (2) a current member of a bar with a valid license to practice law in a state territory of the United States District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If selected an official law school transcript and proof of an active bar membership will be required.

AND

You may qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal sector or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To qualify applicants must have a minimum of 4 years post-JD experience engaged in the active practice of law and at least 2 years of experience as a litigator (in civil or criminal cases) or investigative attorney or other relevant experience. Knowledge of or experience interpreting and applying federal laws rules regulations and court decisions involving whistleblower retaliation and/or whistleblower rights and protections within the federal system is preferred but not required.

Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills knowledge and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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.

Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D. if selected an official transcript will be addition the selectee will be required to provide proof of an active bar membership.

Additional information

Selectees will be required to complete a Declaration of Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action including removal from Federal service.

The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employees identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about e-verify including your rights and responsibilities.

Upon appointment you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-450. You will need to provide the information annually.

You must meet time in grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

EPA OIG provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.

Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application by checking reference and through other means such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience false statements or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.

Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority