Attorney Advisor (Senior Counsel)

Office of the General Counsel • Davis, CA

2d

About The Position

This position is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the General Counsel and provides professional legal services to major USDA components and agencies, particularly the U.S. Forest Service. The attorney handles difficult or complex legal matters connected to major Forest Service program areas, including work that may formulate, determine, or influence agency policy.

The position represents USDA and the U.S. Forest Service in complex administrative and judicial proceedings, and advises or assists the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with federal litigation at trial and appellate levels. It also involves preparing and reviewing complex legal documents needed to implement USDA programs and activities. This is an open-continuous announcement with an initial cutoff date of December 4, 2026, and monthly cutoffs thereafter.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or nationality.
• Successful completion of a full course of study at an American Bar Association-accredited law school and a first professional law degree (LLB or JD); a law school transcript is required.
• Current membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state or territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• For the GS-15 level, one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-14, directly related to the position.
• GS-15 specialized experience must include comprehensive knowledge or expertise in a natural resources and land management subject area; mastery of legal subject areas involving one or more major Forest Service program areas with senior-level execution and minimal supervision; or first-chair litigation skills sufficient to represent USDA and the U.S. Forest Service in complex cases with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate superior research, analytical, and writing abilities.
• Successfully pass applicable background investigation, fingerprint, E-Verify, and security-clearance requirements; maintain a security clearance.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.

Nice To Haves

• Strong interest in federal natural resources law and an exceptional academic background.
• Judicial clerkship experience.
• Familiarity with civil litigation.
• Knowledge of natural resources law, environmental law, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective legal services to USDA programs and activities, particularly those of the U.S. Forest Service.
• Handle difficult or complex legal cases and problems related to one or more major Forest Service program areas, including matters that formulate, determine, or influence agency policy.
• Represent USDA and the U.S. Forest Service in complex administrative and judicial adjudications and proceedings with minimal assistance and instruction.
• Advise or assist the Department of Justice, including U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, with federal litigation at trial and appellate levels.
• Prepare and review complex legal documents, including draft legislation and regulations, contracts, grants, agreements, leases, and deeds.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Direct deposit of federal payments is required.
• Incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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