This is a Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration. This position is located within the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The Office of the Under Secretary (UNSEC), Office of the General Counsel (OGC) Oceans & Coasts Section with one (1) vacancy located in Silver Spring, MD.

Duties

As an Attorney-Advisor in the NOAA Office of the General Counsel, Oceans and Coasts Section: You will provide legal counsel to the National Ocean Service (NOS), including the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Office for Coastal Management, and the Office of Coast Survey. NOS provides data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy. NOS is dedicated to advancing the following priorities: safe and efficient transportation and commerce; preparedness and risk reduction; and stewardship, recreation and tourism. The Section also provides legal counsel to the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, including the NOAA Corps. In your role as an Attorney-Advisor with the Oceans and Coasts Section, you will support the implementation of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Coast and Geodetic Survey Act, and other federal statutes (e.g., the National Environmental Policy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Freedom of Information Act). You will work closely with experienced scientists, oceanographers, marine archaeologists, and other professionals in developing and reviewing regulations, permits, and policies relating to the management and conservation of ocean and coastal resources. This position requires interaction with other NOAA OGC attorneys, policy makers and technical staff, DOC officials, other Federal and state agency officials, members of the regulated community, and representatives of public interest organizations. It also involves active participation, in concert with U.S. Department of Justice attorneys, in defending NOAA cases brought under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Coast and Geodetic Survey Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Administrative Procedure Act, admiralty law, and other federal laws. The work involves complex and challenging issues on important matters of national significance. The attorney(s) will be hired at the GS-12 through GS-15 grade levels, depending on experience. The promotion potential for this position is GS-15 level.

Requirements

Qualifications

This position has positive education requirements. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement: Applicants must be law school graduates with LL.B. or J.D. degrees. (Copy of Transcripts MUST be provided with your application package to receive further consideration.) AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar. (Certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing is required prior to receiving a job offer. Failure to provide your certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing will result in lost consideration.) Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Specialized Experience for all grades: NOAA seeks attorneys with a comprehensive knowledge of Federal environmental statutes and conservation laws, as well as laws and regulations related to the implementation and oversight of large-scale natural resource restoration projects. Applicants must have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and to identify and resolve complex legal issues. Applicants also must demonstrate the ability to manage large projects independently, assimilate large amounts of materials quickly, balance a large and diverse workload, and work effectively in a team with other attorneys and support staff. Significant academic achievement in law school (such as top 20% class ranking, graduation with honors, judicial clerking experience, or participation in moot court or law review) or experience practicing environmental law will be favorably considered. The career ladder for attorney positions in OGC is generally GS-12 to GS-15. Applicants may be hired at any of the grades shown in this announcement, commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications. You are encouraged to identify the grade level(s) or salary for which you wish to be considered. The minimum qualifications for hiring at each grade level (or equivalent) are as follows: To qualify at the GS-12 level: - Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school; and - Must be an active member in good standing of a State bar, the bar of the District of Columbia, the bar of a U.S. territory, or the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. To qualify at the GS-13 level: - Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school; - Must be an active member in good standing of a State bar, the bar of the District of Columbia, the bar of a U.S. territory, or the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and - Possess a minimum of twenty-four months of relevant legal experience. To qualify at the GS-14 level: - Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school; - Must be an active member in good standing of a State bar, the bar of the District of Columbia, the bar of a U.S. territory, or the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and - Possess a minimum of three years relevant legal experience. To qualify at the GS-15 level: - Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school; - Must be an active member in good standing of a State bar, the bar of the District of Columbia, the bar of a U.S. territory, or the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and - Possess a minimum of four years relevant legal experience.

Education

Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school. Official or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application package.

Note: Your law school transcript is used to verify successful completion of a degree, or college course work. An official law school transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Contacts

• Address NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS) 1315 East West Hwy SSMC4 Silver Spring, MD 20910 US
• Name: Jeffrey Geise
• Email: [email protected]