Attorney Positions and Fellowships in EPA's Office of General Counsel (OGC)

OGC is the chief legal advisor to the EPA, the federal agency with primary responsibility for implementing the nation's environmental laws. OGC attorneys provide counsel to EPA policy makers on legal issues associated with implementing these environmental laws, as well as the laws governing the day-to-day operations of a federal agency.  Approximately 185 attorneys work in OGC. Our principal office is located at EPA's headquarters complex in downtown Washington, DC. OGC is committed to attracting a talented and diverse applicant pool interested in a dynamic and challenging federal experience.

Beginning May 2021, OGC will begin to standardize the hiring “seasons” for permanent attorney positions in the environmental law offices (Air & Radiation, Cross Cutting Issues, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Solid Waste and Emergency Response, and Water), making the announcements in early January and June each year. Other OGC law offices will not likely follow this seasonal hiring schedule and will conduct their own separate hiring efforts, posted on USA Jobs.

OGC is organized by practice area into ten law offices: 

• The Air and Radiation Law Office provides legal support for EPA to reduce threats to public health and the environment by cleaning up the nation’s air and dealing with radiation issues.
• The Civil Rights and Finance Law Office provides legal counsel and legal services to EPA offices with respect to civil rights, equal employment opportunities, contracts, claims by and against the Agency, real and personal property, financial assistance awards, interagency agreements, and appropriations law.
• The Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office provides legal advice under the numerous federal statutes, Executive Orders, and policies that affect all EPA programs, including the Administrative Procedure Act, Environmental Justice, the National Environmental Policy Act, he Endangered Species Act, Indian law and Children's Health issues. The Office also provides a focal point for international environmental legal expertise and advice.
• The Ethics Office oversees all aspects of the Agency's ethics program, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, conflicts of interest statutes, financial disclosure, ethics training and the Hatch Act.
• The External Civil Rights Compliance Office ensures that any entity that receives EPA funds complies with federal non-discrimination laws. 
• The General Law Office functions as a boutique litigation group and provides advice and representation on issues relating to EPA operations in these areas: Information Law including Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and the Federal Records Act; Labor and Employment Law, and Intellectual Property Law, including patent, trademark and copyright issues. Attorneys in this office litigate in administrative forums and in federal courts. The General Law Office also includes the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center, which provides legal advice and counsel regarding the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including protecting the confidentiality of dispute resolution communications. It is the home of the, EPA's national office for ADR, providing environmental ADR services, training, and collaborative problem solving and public engagement expertise for the entire Agency.
• The National Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office is the principal advisor to the Agency’s General Counsel in performing the functions of the Agency’s Chief FOIA Officer.  The NFO assists the General Counsel to implement Agency-wide responsibility for efficient and appropriate implementation and compliance with the FOIA.  
• The Pesticides and Toxic Substances Law Office provides legal counsel and handles legal issues for the EPA programs that address pollution prevention, pesticides and toxic chemicals, and inform citizens about toxic releases in their communities.
• The Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office provides legal support for the Agency’s hazardous and solid waste programs and cleanup initiatives, including Superfund, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, land revitalization (brownfields, federal facilities, oil spills, underground storage tanks), and the emergency response program.
• The Water Law Office provides legal support for Agency programs that ensure drinking water is safe; that restore and maintain oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health; support economic and recreational activities; and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife

Diversity and Inclusion

• At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. You can also hear a diverse group of attorneys talk about their careers at EPA on the Legal Careers at EPA Webinar.

Attorney Positions: OGC is seeking talented and diverse attorneys with excellent analytical and writing abilities, a strong commitment to public service, effective “people” skills, and an ability to take on significant responsibility. OGC generally posts vacancy announcements for attorney positions on the USAJobs website. The following bullets provides an overview of general information and qualifications for these positions, but please see each announcement for more specific information relative to the vacancy and the necessary details on how to apply:

• Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen and have an LLB. 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 ideal applicant will have:
  • a very strong academic and employment record,  
  • excellent analytical skills,
  • excellent problem-solving skills, ability to move projects along, reduce and resolve conflict and negotiate solutions,
  • excellent written and oral communications skills,
  • the ability to work effectively in a team and independently,
  • mature judgement and the ability to work with diverse persons and perspectives,
  •  a strong customer service ethic, initiative and self-motivation, organizational skills, and a commitment to public service, and 
  • knowledge and relevant experience (commensurate with their number of years after law school) in administrative law, regulatory counseling, and/or federal court litigation.  Substantive experience with the relevant statute(s) may enhance your application but is not necessary. 
• Applicants will need to include the following documents as part of their complete application package through USAJobs:
  • Resume (a separate business-style resume with application in lieu of the automated USAJobs resume).
  • Written statement (no more than two single-spaced pages) specifically addressing applicant’s qualifications for the position.
  • A legal writing sample not to exceed 15 pages (for which the applicant was the primary author – with only minor (if any) edits by others). The writing sample should include a legal analysis section.
  • References (names and contact information of three professional references).
  • Copy of law school and undergraduate degree transcript (unofficial or official).
  • Copy of bar certification.
  • Veterans' Preference Documents.
• Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet the qualifications listed in the announcement and demonstrate an ability to perform the responsibilities of the position. Initially, the evaluation is based on the information contained in the resume packet. If an interview is granted, applicants will also be evaluated based on the responses provided during an interview. Note, there is no numerical rating system for applying veteran’s preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Office of General Counsel considers veteran’s preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
• The vacancy announcement will explain the relevant GS grade level(s) and what qualifications are required for that level. Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the vacancy announcement.
• These positions generally are designated as a Moderate Risk and require a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, applicants must undergo a background investigation.
• How to apply using USAJobs

Honors Fellowship Program:  In addition to the above potential attorney vacancies, in the past OGC has offered a two-year Honors Legal Fellowship but we are currently not actively hiring for this program.