Attorney Advisor

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Chief Counsel is seeking dynamic individuals to serve in permanent positions as Attorney-Advisors at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Our attorneys experience a broad range of assignments providing legal support to PHMSA's mission to protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• This is an Excepted Service position.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period.
• This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties.
• Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263.
• Possess a professional law degree (LLB, or J.D.) and bar membership in good standing.
• Experience in performing legal services involving compliance and regulatory issues.
• Experience preparing legal memoranda and opinions.
• Experience maintaining a relationship with customers to assure their understanding of legal positions.
• At least 1 year of professional attorney experience (for Grade 12).
• Either two years of professional attorney experience OR one year of professional attorney experience and a second professional law degree (LL.M) which requires one full year of graduate study (for Grade 13).
• At least 3 years of professional attorney experience (for Grade 14).
• At least 4 years of professional attorney experience (for Grade 15).
• Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience with a range of legal practice areas associated with the transportation industry and the Department of Transportation such as, administrative enforcement, including charging documents, adjudications, hearings, and negotiations; regulatory development and drafting; administrative appeals and litigation; legislative drafting and analysis; and working collaboratively with other attorneys, engineers, policy leaders, and safety experts performing a wide variety of legal tasks in a government setting.

Responsibilities

• Work with other attorneys, program staff, subject matter experts, and agency leaders to implement national policies on pipeline safety; pursue enforcement for violations of pipeline safety standards, including civil penalties and compliance orders; support emergency response following pipeline incidents, including issuance of emergency orders.
• Develop and adopt new regulations to further enhance and improve pipeline safety; Develop guidance and interpretations to assist the regulated community in maintaining compliance.
• Support litigation by or against the United States; and other legal support for PHMSA and its pipeline safety program.
• Set national policies on hazardous materials safety requirements for all modes of transportation.
• Pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalty cases, compliance orders, and emergency orders and recalls.
• Issue special permits, which allow for innovative safety approaches and new technologies.
• Develop guidance and interpretations, to assist the regulated community in maintaining compliance with federal hazardous materials transportation laws.
• Support U.S. efforts with respect to international rulemaking and harmonization of transportation safety requirements.
• Advise PHMSA’s Pipeline Safety and Hazardous Materials Safety programs on applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and guidance governing rulemaking and regulatory matters.
• Support regulatory planning and analysis by reviewing and drafting rulemaking documents, Regulatory Impact Analyses, guidance, and related materials to ensure legal sufficiency, policy alignment, quality, and enforceability.
• Represent the Division in rulemaking-related meetings and coordinate with DOT Operating Administrations, the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to communicate PHMSA’s legal positions.
• Conduct legal research and draft recommendations to support regulatory decision-making and the development of rulemaking actions.
• Provide legal support for litigation involving the United States related to PHMSA rulemakings, guidance, and other regulatory actions.
• Prepare legal opinions and perform legal services involving issues concerning the negotiation, drafting, execution, and administration of Federal contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements regarding various agency programs.
• Prepare legal opinions and perform legal services related to the administration of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.
• Prepare legal opinions and perform legal services relating to ethics, conflict of interest laws and regulations, anti-lobbying, the Hatch Act, and procurement integrity.
• Prepare legal opinions and perform legal services in the areas of employment and personnel law, and labor relations.
• Represent the Agency in litigation before the EEOC, the MSPB, the FLRA, arbitrators, and other administrative forums.

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.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level