The selectee(s) will be expected to function as a generalist attorney with an emphasis on commercial/transactional law in support of USDA programs and litigation, particularly legal work related to the Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, Natural Resources Conservation Service, RMA, and Forest Service. The selectee(s) will provide legal advice, conduct legal research and analysis, draft and/or review legal documents, and interpret federal, state, tribal, and local laws.

Duties

Provide legal advice and counsel to USDA agencies, including matters involving secured transactions, lending, trusts, foreclosures, loan/grant eligibility, tribal law, and real property transactions Represent and/or assist USDA agencies in administrative litigation, such as contract disputes, water rights adjudications, and USDA National Appeals Division matters. Conduct legal research and draft and/or review legal documents, pleadings, contracts, loan documentation and real property documentation (e.g., tile documentation, deeds, easements). Serve as agency counsel for USDA in litigation handled by the U.S. Department of Justice, to include real property disputes, bankruptcy matters, and litigation arising under the Administrative Procedure Act.

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, and Law School Transcripts.
• 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 (J.D. or equivalent degree) (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. Any experience in commercial/transactional law (secured transactions, lending, trusts, foreclosures, bankruptcy), tribal law, and/or real property lawshould also be highlighted. GS-11: Meet minimum qualifications, above, and demonstrate: 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 under supervision legal advice, research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state, tribal, and local laws; Assisting in writing opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and legal support of agency/organization programs and litigation; Preparing various kinds of legal documents, both for specific case use and for general use; Ability to conduct legal research to handle cases involving USDA programs; Ability to apply legal analysis and exhibit sound legal judgment in finding appropriate precedent or distinguishing applicable law or facts to support or justify legal positions with advice from senior attorneys. GS-12: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the (GS-11) 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 legal advice, research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and local laws; Writing opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and legal support of agency/organization programs and litigation; Performing other legal services as assigned; Rendering of legal advice, oral or written, to administrative officials in connection with the day-to-day operations of programs; preparing various kinds of legal documents, both for specific case use and for general use; Ability to conduct substantial research to handle cases involving the Department's programs; Ability to apply creative legal analysis and sound legal judgment to find appropriate precedent or distinguish applicable law or facts to support or justify legal positions. 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. GS-14: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the (GS-13) 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: Ability to plan and assign priorities to tasks and assignments to further develop knowledge of complex assignments. Works independently to determine methodologies, milestones, goals, and termination points for most assignments. Completes assignments to management requirements with satisfaction of organizational objectives. The duties listed below are described at the FPL GS-14, the GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 are developmental 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 areas, develop or recommend litigation strategies and procedures, aid the U.S. Department of Justice in the trial of important or precedent-setting cases, and negotiate or participate in negotiating settlements on behalf of the USDA; 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 USDA and component agencies 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 litigation in order to prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents in connection with suits by and against the Federal 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 USDA in a variety of external interactions. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents.

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.

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.

Cover Letter: You must submit a cover letter 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]