Attorney Advisor (General)

Office of the General Counsel • Washington, DC

12d

About The Position

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the General Counsel, and provides professional legal services to major components of USDA and its agencies. The position provides legal advice and conducts complex legal analysis concerning USDA programs and activities, interpreting and applying federal statutes, executive orders, and case law. It prepares legal opinions, recommendations, and guidance on complex legal issues, communicates advice orally and in writing, and reviews proposed regulations, policy directives, and agency actions for legal sufficiency. The role also conducts or supports administrative and federal litigation, including litigation strategy and preparation of legal documents.

This is an open-continuous announcement, with an initial cutoff date of 11/19/2026 and monthly cutoffs thereafter. The position is offered at GS-11 through GS-14. Selectees receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. The position is represented by AFGE, Local 1106, and may have further promotion potential under a career development plan; promotion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Complete a full course of study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school and hold a first professional law degree (LLB or JD); a law school transcript is required.
• Be a member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Demonstrate specialized legal experience appropriate to the grade level, including legal research, analysis, interpretation of law, and writing legal opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, or other legal documents.
• Demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills, a strong academic record, problem-solving ability, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• For GS-12 and above, demonstrate experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, with progressively greater legal service, analysis, litigation, agency program knowledge, or independent assignment management as applicable.
• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successfully complete required background adjudication and/or fingerprint checks, and pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance; GS-13 and GS-14 selectees are subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry and credit report.
• Submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of initial appointment and annually thereafter if selected.
• Meet applicable experience and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.

Nice To Haves

• Federal litigation experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and conduct complex legal analysis concerning USDA programs and activities, applying federal statutes, executive orders, and case law.
• Prepare legal opinions, recommendations, and guidance on complex legal issues.
• Communicate legal advice orally and in writing, identifying legal risks and options.
• Review proposed regulations, policy directives, and agency actions for legal sufficiency.
• Conduct or support administrative and federal litigation, including developing litigation strategies and preparing pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and other legal documents.
• Provide legal services and advice to agency officials regarding program operations and prepare legal documents for specific cases and general use, as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of benefits; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree