The employees of EPA's Office of General Counsel strive to adhere to the highest standards of practice and professionalism. Our core values include:

• Excellence
• Community
• Work-Life Balance
• Integrity
• Empowerment & Responsibility
• Respect

Excellence

We in OGC:

• Endeavor to be extraordinary in everything we do.
• Work to maintain our stature as a nationally pre-eminent Office of General Counsel.
• Provide outstanding service, advice and innovative problem-solving to help clients and customers accomplish the agency’s objectives.
• Work across boundaries to meet common goals. 
• Exhibit the highest standards of dedication and professionalism in our work.

Community

We in OGC:

• Support each other professionally and personally and are invested in each other’s success.
• Are generous with our knowledge, time and energy.
• Embrace our diversity and work together across OGC and the Offices of Regional Counsel as a team.
• Listen to and communicate effectively with others to gain a better understanding of different perspectives.
• Provide a supportive work environment that encourages collegiality and camaraderie.

Work-Life Balance

We in OGC:

• Support flexible work arrangements to improve morale and contribute to high productivity and excellence.
• Foster an environment in which people can enjoy full personal lives and maintain high productivity.
• Respect people’s lives outside of the office.

Integrity

We in OGC:

• Exercise the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism.
• Act with fairness, honesty, and candor.
• Have an unwavering dedication to public service and the Agency’s mission. 
• Act responsibly with the public’s resources and trust.
• Provide advice, counsel, and service with objectivity.
• Honor our commitments.

Empowerment & Responsibility

We in OGC:

• Provide employees independence, authority, and resources to perform their work.
• Take responsibility for communicating proactively and effectively with those who need information, including colleagues, staff, managers, clients and customers.
• Provide guidance, support and opportunities for career growth and development.
• Hold ourselves accountable for the quality and timeliness of our work.

Respect

We in OGC:

• Value each other’s contributions, questions, ideas and individuality, recognizing that everyone performs an important role to advance our mission.
• Acknowledge and embrace individual differences to create a positive and supportive work environment.
• Listen to and seek to understand each other.
• Treat everyone with courtesy and kindness.
• Are invested in the professional development of all employees.