Attorney Advisor (General)

Office of the Solicitor • Phoenix, AZ

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Attorney Advisor will collaborate closely with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and be based in the Phoenix Field Office of the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Intermountain Region. The incumbent provides substantive legal support on matters involving BOR. This is a term excepted appointment not to exceed five years; it may be extended for additional periods without further competition.

The position provides legal advice and services on BOR matters, including contracts and cooperative agreements, regulatory compliance, environmental liability, water rights, endangered species issues, and general law. It also covers laws and regulations generally applicable to federal agencies, including the Freedom of Information Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, federal appropriations laws, property acquisition, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The Attorney Advisor provides litigation support to the Department of Justice on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior and Interior agencies, including BOR, and reviews and analyzes draft legislation and agency policy guidance.

The work requires knowledge of contracts and cooperative agreements; federal and state litigation procedure; federal environmental laws; and real property laws. The incumbent must be able to analyze legal requirements and provide concise advice to technical and non-legal professionals, and interact and negotiate with Tribes, States, and local governmental entities regarding contracts, agreements, and other matters. Overnight travel away from home may be required, up to two nights per month. A government charge card is required for travel purposes.

Requirements

• Law school graduate with an LL.B. or J.D. degree.
• Active membership in good standing of a bar of a state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• For GS-12: at least two years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; for GS-13: at least three years; for GS-14: at least 4.5 years. One year of experience may be substituted at any grade by a second professional law degree or specified evidence of superior academic or legal achievement.
• Excellent oral communication, writing, research, and analysis skills; ability to work effectively with others and exercise sound judgment.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• A financial disclosure report must be filed within 30 days of appointment.
• Must complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• Must serve a two-year trial period, subject to written agency certification for continued employment.
• May be required to travel overnight away from home up to two nights per month.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and legal services on matters pertaining to the Bureau of Reclamation.
• Provide advice and legal services concerning contractual matters, regulatory compliance, environmental liability, water rights, endangered species issues, and general law.
• Advise on and provide legal services concerning laws and regulations of general applicability to federal agencies, including the Freedom of Information Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, federal appropriations laws, property acquisition, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
• Provide litigation support to the Department of Justice on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior and Interior agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation.
• Review and analyze draft legislation and agency policy guidance.
• Analyze legal requirements and provide concise advice and counsel to technical and non-legal professionals.
• Interact and negotiate with Tribes, States, and local governmental entities regarding contracts, agreements, and other matters.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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