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Assistant Chief Counsel / Assistant Advocate

Help Shape Regulatory Reform for America’s Small Businesses.

The Office of Advocacy (Advocacy), an independent voice within the executive branch, is seeking an Assistant Chief Counsel or Assistant Advocate to join our team in Washington, D.C. Advocacy examines the role and contributions of small businesses in the U.S. economy and advocates for reducing government burdens on small businesses to federal agencies, Congress, and the White House. 

The Assistant Chief Counsel or Assistant Advocate works in the Office of Interagency Affairs, a team of attorneys and policy experts dedicated to ensuring that federal policies do not disproportionally harm small entities. The Assistant Chief Counsel or Assistant Advocate works daily with agencies reforming regulations to alleviate regulatory burdens on small entities. The Assistant Chief Counsel or Assistant Advocate reviews and analyzes existing and proposed federal laws, regulations, and programs related to environmental law and climate policy and their impacts on small entities.

Advocacy is leading the federal effort to reduce regulatory burdens for America’s 36.2 million small businesses and tackle the most pressing regulatory issues across the federal government. If you are the right person for the job, come join us. 

Portfolio: Environment

Work Style: In-Office

Location: Washington, D.C.

Apply by: Open until filled

Snapshot

Employment Type: Full-time, Excepted Service (GS Scale)
Preferred: Recommended: J.D. or M.A. with relevant professional experience covering energy law, policy, or regulation.
Salary: Commensurate with education, qualifications, and experience
Reports to: Director, Office of Interagency Affairs

Your Impact

In this role, you will:

  • Serve as advisor to the Director of the Office of Interagency Affairs on federal policies, programs, and activities on environmental and climate policies, programs, and initiatives, and propose advocacy initiatives and objectives related to these activities.
  • Represent the Chief Counsel at the direction of the Director of the Office of Interagency Affairs on interagency regulatory reviews, task forces, working groups, and committees, including small business advocacy review panels during the development of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations.
  • Review draft regulations under applicable environmental statutes, including the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Federal Insecticide Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and related authorities.
  • Organize findings into draft policy positions, proposals, memorandums, comment letters, and reports, identifying key issues and policies impacting small businesses.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with relevant agency personnel and Administration officials to exchange information about matters affecting small businesses.
  • Conduct outreach to, and maintain close relationships with, small entities and their representatives to ensure the timely identification of federal programs and policies affecting small businesses and the impacts of such programs and policies, including hosting roundtables to discuss relevant issues.
  • Oversee federal agency compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
  • Analyze and review scientific and technical supporting documents such as regulatory impact analyses, risk assessments, and evaluations.
  • Participate in interagency groups as appropriate.

Qualifications

  • Experience with applicable federal energy environmental laws and regulations, including the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Federal Insecticide Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and other statutes as appropriate.
  • Experience in administrative law, regulatory affairs, and the federal rulemaking process, including drafting and submitting comment letters.
  • Strong legal research and writing skills.
  • Interest in public policy and small business issues.

Education

Recommended: J.D. or M.A. with relevant professional experience covering environmental and climate law, policy, or regulation.

How to Apply

Submit the following to Stephanie Fekete at stephanie.fekete@sba.gov:

  • Cover letter
  • Résumé
  • Short writing sample
Start Your Application

Salary

Advocacy offers a competitive salary commensurate with education, qualifications, and experience.

This is a federal civilian job in the excepted service (Public Law employment). Office of Advocacy employees are paid on the GS scale and receive federal leave, health benefits, and retirement contributions. Advocacy employees work on contracts, subject to renewal by the office head. The employee reports to the Director of Interagency Affairs.

Eligibility Requirements

  • United States citizenship. 
  • Must pass a background check. 
  • Must work in-person at the U.S. Small Business Administration headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Need assistance?

If you need assistance navigating the application or interview process due to a qualifying disability or medical condition, please email the Office of Advocacy, and someone from our team will contact you directly.

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About Us

At Advocacy, we are dedicated to advocating for small businesses in the U.S. and fostering a favorable regulatory environment. As an independent office, we play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions affecting small entities, working closely with federal agencies, Congress, and the public.

Our team supports small businesses by providing expertise, conducting research, and representing their interests during regulatory processes. Advocacy is a great place to build a meaningful career, offering opportunities for professionals to contribute to the growth and success of small businesses across the nation. Explore current openings and join the mission to make a significant impact on the U.S. economy.

Learn more about Advocacy

Work Culture & Benefits

  • Federal health, dental, and vision insurance
  • FERS + TSP retirement plans
  • Paid leave plus 11+ holidays
  • SmarTrip commuter subsidy

We offer competitive compensation and outstanding federal benefits to its employees. Positions are classified under the General Schedule (GS) pay scale, with salaries commensurate with education, qualifications, and experience. Employees enjoy comprehensive federal benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave. Advocacy is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits, including medical and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and student loan repayment and forgiveness. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have—whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary, or intermittent employee.

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Location

You’ll work full-time from our D.C. office at the U.S. Small Business Administration headquarters located at 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, D.C., just steps away from the Federal Center SW Metro stop.

The Office of Advocacy offers SmartTrip commuter subsidy benefits.

EEO Statement

We’re committed to inclusive, accessible hiring. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, let us know.