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Programs and Projects of the Office of General Counsel (OGC)

OGC Core Values

image of EPA flower with OGC core values superimposed: excellence, community, work-life balance, integrity, empowerment and responsibility, respect

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

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.