Job Opportunity

Attorney-Advisor (Environmental Law)

Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Transactions and Technology

U.S. Department of Commerce

Summary 

The Department of Commerce (DOC) Office of the General Counsel is seeking one or more attorneys

with environmental law experience to assist in the implementation of the $100 billion CHIPS Incentives 

Program and the over $48 billion in broadband grant programs administered by the National 

Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The mission of the CHIPS Incentives

Program is to catalyze long-term growth in the domestic semiconductor industry to support our national 

and economic security by financing major semiconductor manufacturing and related facilities through a 

combination of grants, loans, loan guarantees, and other transactions. Through its administration of 

multiple broadband grant programs, NTIA’s mission is to connect everyone in America to high-speed, 

affordable, reliable Internet access. Financial assistance awards under these programs may be subject to 

various Federal environmental and historic preservation mandates and responsibilities, and funded 

actions will be subject to a range of Federal, state, and local environmental and historic preservation 

laws and regulations. The Department will engage in a thorough review of applications to identify and 

mitigate environmental and historic preservation risks. 

The incumbent would be responsible for advising on Department compliance with any required Federal

environmental statutes, regulations, and other mandates (including historic preservation mandates), and 

assisting in the implementation of the environmental review process for applications. Further, the 

incumbent would be responsible for advising on federal, state, local and tribal permitting responsibilities 

required for the CHIPS and broadband programs. In performing these activities, the incumbent is 

expected to help to identify environmental and historic preservation risks and potential mitigation 

opportunities in applications; support and advise on coordination and cooperation with other Federal 

agencies, states, tribes, and stakeholders; and handle other environmental legal issues that arise in the 

execution of the CHIPS Incentives Program and the NTIA-led broadband grant programs. 

The Attorney-Advisor (Environmental Law) is a full-time GS-15 position. It is anticipated that for at 

least the first year of employment, and potentially longer, the incumbent would work time with the 

Office of the Chief Counsel for Semiconductor Incentives (OCC-SI) and the Office of the Chief Counsel 

for NTIA (NTIA/OCC) within the Office of the General Counsel. OCC-SI and NTIA/OCC are

responsible for the programmatic legal advice on the CHIPS Incentives Program and the NTIA 

broadband grant programs, respectively. As the bulk of the work in these programs transitions from the 

transaction phase to the asset management phase, the incumbent’s workload would shift to other 

priorities throughout DOC, though the position would be expected to continue to support these programs 

on an as needed basis. 
Description 

The responsibilities of the incumbent may include:

• Advising on the drafting and implementation of policies, procedures, templates, and forms to 

govern the environmental review and compliance processes associated with the NTIA broadband 

grant programs and CHIPS Incentives Program applications, including helping to draft standard 

language and advise on strategic approaches to environmental compliance and risk assessment. 

• Providing direct legal support to NTIA’s Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) and 

the Environmental Division of the CHIPS Incentives Program on a range of time-sensitive legal 

and compliance issues under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered 

Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other requirements.

• Advising and supporting the OICG and the Environmental Division in briefing leadership and 

engaging with external partners and stakeholders.

• Reviewing individual environmental documents, including NEPA documents and consultation or 

permitting requests, applications, or assessments, agency determinations, and internal and 

external-facing documents with broad applicability. 

• Advising on inter and intra-agency coordination and relevant consultations, and engaging with 

applicants and applicant counsel. 

• Assisting in developing terms and conditions related to environmental and historic preservation

compliance to be included in funding agreements, and advising on specific mitigation issues;

• Advising on the monitoring and enforcement of environmental and historic preservation terms 

and conditions after execution; 

• Advising and commenting on relevant draft and final rules, regulations, and other priority 

Federal permitting or environmental reform requests; and

• Advising on a range of legal matters that could arise in connection with environmental and 

historic preservation compliance issues throughout the application, award, and post-award 

periods, including matters related to litigation. 

The Attorney-Advisor (Environmental Law) must be able to work independently and effectively with 

clients and have strong written and oral communication skills. The Department seeks applicants who 

have experience with environmental and conservation laws and regulations governing federal agencies 

including NEPA, ESA, and NHPA, as well as with the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of 

Information Act, government-to-government consultation, and other generally applicable federal laws.

Experience with the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act is considered beneficial. 

Required documents

A complete application consists of the following: 

• Cover letter. Address demonstrated interests and qualifications as it relates to the position. 
• Resume showing relevant experience. Your resume should list your educational and work 

experience, including the dates (mm/dd/yyyy) and provide the hours per week, if less than 40. 

For work in the Federal Service, please include the pay plan and grade level for the position(s). 

• Copy of law school transcript. Unofficial copy is sufficient at this time, but official copy must 

be submitted before appointment.

• Certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. Prior to receiving an offer, you 

will be asked to provide a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. 

Qualifications 

An applicant must:

1. Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a J.D. or equivalent degree;

2. Be a current member of a bar with a valid license to practice law in a state or territory of the 

United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 

3. Have at least four years of relevant legal experience, including serving as the lead attorney 

advising on or litigating Federal environmental statutes, regulations, and other related mandates, 

including NEPA, ESA, and NHPA.

Conditions of Employment 

• This position is in the excepted service.

• U.S. Citizenship is required. 

• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. 

How To Apply 

To be considered, by the closing date, please submit all documents specified in the “Required 

Documents” section above to OCCjobs@chips.gov with the subject line: Attorney-Advisor

(Environmental Law).

The closing date is September 8, 2023. Applications will be accepted after the closing date for 

consideration at a later date or for future vacancies.