Attorney Advisor (Public Notice Flyer)

The Department of Commerce (Department), Office of the General Counsel is seeking multiple attorneys to provide advice and representation regarding all transactions and legal matters involved in and concerned with real property, contracts, energy and environmental law and compliance.

Duties

Selected applicant(s) will advise clients at the Department and program level, both in writing and orally, on a wide variety of legal matters, including:

• Real property transactions, including acquisition, management, use and disposal of real property and related matters;
• Energy conservation, including energy savings performance contracts and other
  conservation measures;
• Environmental management and compliance, including advice and counsel regarding the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and guidance regarding permitting actions and other regulatory requirements.

The incumbent will also be responsible for representing the Department of Commerce in litigation before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and the Government Accountability Office and assisting the Department of Justice in real property, contract, and/or environmental litigation in Federal courts.

GS-11 Level:

Performs a variety of legal duties such as: researching legal issues which are often factually complex; developing drafts of letters, memoranda, and legal documents for the use by a higher graded attorney; participating in administrative or judicial hearings; or conducting the preliminary review of applications which pose complex factual and legal questions where the applicant is seeking specific governmental protection or approval.

GS-12 Level:

Performs a variety of legal duties such as researching legal issues which are often factually complex; developing drafts of letters, memoranda and legal documents for themselves or a higher graded attorney; participating in administrative or judicial hearings; or conducting the preliminary review of applications which complex or factual and legal questions where the applicant is seeking specific governmental protection or approval. The incumbent is expected to be able to independently present legal conclusions to adjudicatory authorities, high level organizational officials, as well as outside counsel and other interested groups.

GS-13 Level:

Performs a variety of legal duties such as researching legal issues which are often factually complex; developing drafts of letters, memoranda and legal documents for themselves or a higher graded attorney; participating in administrative or judicial hearings; or conducting the preliminary review of applications which complex or factual and legal questions where the applicant is seeking specific governmental protection or approval. The incumbent is expected to be able to independently present legal conclusions to adjudicatory authorities, high level organizational officials, as well as outside counsel and other interested groups.

Salary

• $82,764 - $153,354/year

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
• You must complete a 2-year trial period.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/)
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Drug Test Required: No
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid

Qualifications

Basic requirement for all grade levels:

1. You must be a graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school; AND
2. You must have bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.

This is a full-time position. Full promotion potential for OGC Attorneys is GS-15.

Minimum Requirements:

GS-11: J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (The requirement that an applicant possess a J.D. may be waived if his or her bar membership is in a state that allows individuals to "read for the law" rather than pursue a formal academic degree).

GS-12: GS-11 qualifications plus one-year legal experience, or additional relevant experience that distinguishes an entry-level attorney from the GS-11. This may include: a superior academic record; specific course work or an internship in the relevant legal area; another graduate or doctoral degree. Individuals hired into Legal Intern positions at the GS-11 may be reassigned to GS-12 attorney positions upon admission to the bar, irrespective of time-in-grade.

GS-13: Two years of legal experience or relevant professional experience (legal or non-legal). Relevant non-legal professional experience could include, for example: experience in a non-attorney position within the Department, with resulting insight into the client's mission could warrant a higher grade. When relying on non-legal professional experience, hiring managers must articulate in writing how the cited experience enhances the applicant's skills to warrant the higher grade.

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 Requirements:

Applicants must meet the basic and minimum requirements set forth above and the below specialized experience by the closing date of the announcement. Specialized experience equips applicants with particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

For this position, specialized experience includes knowledge of environmental law, contract law (may include FAR-based contracting, commercial contracting, and Other Transactions experience), real property, and/or litigation experience. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide research and analysis on legal questions affecting key matters of policy or procedure. Applicants must demonstrate a record of strong interpersonal skills, good judgment and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client bureaus.

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. Other Information

This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.

Required Documents

Application packages should demonstrate: an ability to conduct complex legal research, engage in sound legal analyses and present the results in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner; and an ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

A complete application consists of the following:

• Cover letter. Address demonstrated interests and qualifications as it relates to the position.
• Resume showing relevant experience. Your resume should list your educational and work experience, including the dates (mm/dd/yyyy) and provide the hours per week, if less than 40. For work in the Federal Service, please include the pay plan and grade level for the position(s).
• Copy of law school transcript. (Unofficial copy is sufficient, but official copy must be submitted before appointment). You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
• Writing Sample. Applicants selected for interview may be required to provide a writing
  sample.
• Certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing. Prior to receiving an offer, you will be asked to provide a certificate of bar membership and proof of good standing.

Failure to provide documents, if selected, may result in lost consideration.

Please DO NOT put your SSN on pages within your application package. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

How to Apply

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING RESUMES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

To be considered, by the closing date, please submit all documents specified in the "Required Documents" section above to OGCResumes@doc.gov with the subject line: Attorney-Advisor (TPM).

Applications will be accepted after the closing date for consideration at a later date or for future vacancies.

Contact phone number: 202-482-5017
Contact address: U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the General Counsel, Room 5099
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20004

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.