This position is located in any OGC office location. For a list of all the OGC office locations please see: OGC Office Locations. The incumbent serves as an attorney providing legal advice, research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state and local laws, as well as oral and written opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs and legal support of all USDA programs and litigation, and performs other legal services as assigned.

Duties

Provide legal advice and counsel to agencies of the USDA on administrative law and natural resources law, with regard to CERCLA, RCRA and other federal pollution control statutes. Serve as liaison between agencies of the USDA and the Department of Justice in litigation concerning USDA programs including CERCLA and RCRA defensive matters and enforcement matters. Represent agencies of the USDA in formal administrative adjudication. Conduct legal research on issues relating to uses of National Forest System (NFS) lands and pollution control issues on NFS lands, including issues arising under CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and other federal statutes. Draft and review legal documents, including Administrative Settlement Agreement and Orders on Consent, Unilateral Administrative Orders, consent decrees, briefs, deeds, contracts, loan documentation, legal opinions, and agency documents. Provide advice and counsel on Forest Service programs relating to grants and agreements, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act issues.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must submit Cover Letter, Resume, Proof of Bar Membership, Law School Transcripts, Written Narrative, and a Writing Sample.
• Review of the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) entries have been reviewed and determined to be satisfactory.
• Requires a favorable credit check as part of the background investigation.
• Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Obtain and use a Government issued charge card for business-related travel.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of a two year probationary or trial period, unless previously served.

Qualifications

For consideration, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for attorney positions: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD) (Law School transcript required); and Currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE Applicants should have demonstrated specialized experience in legal research, excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong academic record. This experience should be clearly documented in the cover letter and resume. In addition, the cover letter and resume should show demonstrated experience with pollution control laws, and administrative law. This position includes support in rulemaking, litigation, programmatic legal advice on issues related to pollution control laws and natural resources law, especially the CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act, as well as other authorities governing management of National Forest System land, including NEPA, ESA and federal administrative law. Candidates with excellent legal writing skills and the ability to provide oral and written legal advice in a clear and organized manner are preferred. GS-13: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the (GS-12) level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform as an Attorney Advisor. Examples of such experience include: Providing professional legal services to major components of an agency or organization; Knowledge of the principles and techniques of legal analysis and practice in order to (1) prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents (2) determine nature of legal issues involved; and (3) effectively represent agencies or organizations; Thorough knowledge of activities and program initiatives of agencies or organizations to provide timely and relevant legal advice regarding program operations to management officials and to expertly represent clients in negotiations and legal proceedings. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents. The duties listed below are described at the full performance level GS-14. The GS-11, GS-12 and GS-13 are developmental levels leading to such performance. Mastery of statutes, regulations, and legal precedents related to major USDA program areas or relevant subject matter expertise to provide expert legal advice in regard to the assigned program area, develop or recommend litigation strategies and procedures, aid the Department of Justice in the trial of important or precedent-setting cases, and negotiate or participate in negotiating settlements on behalf of the Department Mastery of a large and complex body of law in which precedents are frequently conflicting or non-existent to make determinations and reach conclusions which guide the Department or the Agency in resolving subsequent, similar problems; provide legal advice to heads of programs and Agencies on complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues; and write opinions and case assessment memoranda after conducting detailed factual and legal research. Mastery of the principles and techniques of legal analysis and practice in order to prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents in connection with suits by and against the Government and determine in each case the nature of action or defense, the legal issues involved, the most effective course of action, and optimal strategies and tactics to be employed. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of missions and functions of the USDA and its agencies or relevant subject matter expertise, as appropriate in order to provide legal services in support of USDA programs and activities that are consistent with the strategic goals of USDA and the priorities of the Secretary of Agriculture. Mastery of the principles and techniques of written and oral communication to speak and write with clarity and tact to provide guidance on complex legal issues, secure acceptance of recommendations, prepare complex legal opinions, and effectively represent the Department in a variety of external interactions. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents.

Education

Education: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (J.D. or equivalent degree) (law school transcript required).

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above requirements (education and bar membership). Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified".

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Narrative: You must submit a written statement, in your cover letter or in a separate document, explaining your interest in working for USDA's Office of the General Counsel, and noting any relevant course work, training, or prior experience that you believe should be considered in evaluating your application.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Contacts

• Address Office of the General Counsel 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Victoria Centurion
• Phone: 612-852-7631
• Email: [email protected]