The minimum pay for this position is $135,468. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors.
Regular telework may be approved at the discretion of the supervisor.
Veterans' preference is not applicable.
Summary
The minimum pay for this position is $135,468. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors.
Regular telework may be approved at the discretion of the supervisor.
All appointments to this board requires final approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory technical qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant.
The incumbent of this position will serve as an Administrative Judge on the Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA). The IBIA is an appellate review body that acts as the authorized representative of the Secretary of the Interior for considering and determining as fully and finally as might the Secretary, appeals from decisions of the Departmental officials involving Indian matters. The IBIA is located in the Department's Office of Hearing and Appeals, and exercises independent review authority over decisions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and in some cases decisions of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs and other Departmental officials, arising from the Department's relationship and dealing with individual Indians and Indian Tribes.
The IBIA also considers and determines appeals from decisions rendered by Administrative Law Judges and Indian Probate Judges. The appeals may be from administrative decisions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs or regarding the inheritance of Indian trust property. In addition, the IBIA may consider and decide any other matter pertaining to Indian affairs which may be specially referred to it by the Secretary or the Director, Office of Hearing and Appeals.
Specific Duties
The incumbent carries out the following specific responsibilities:
Participates in a panel of judges through which the IBIA, as the authorized representative of the Secretary of the Interior, reviews and decides appeals where a right of appeal is provided by regulation.
Prepares decisions on appeals in Indian cases involving a wide variety of statutes and regulations pertaining to Indian law.
Reviews drafts of regulations and legislation pertaining to matters which the Board is concerned.
Serves as an alternate member of the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) and/or as a member of ad-hoc boards of appeals to decide appeals which do not fall within the jurisdiction of one of the standing boards of appeal.
Acts as Chief Administrative Judge of the Board in the absence of the incumbent when designated.
Applicants who meet all the mandatory technical qualifications will be evaluated by a panel to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statements for the technical qualifications described in this vacancy.
If your resume does not include these basic qualifications, you will not be determined qualified for this position.
We highly recommend that your resume includes examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize their level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.
This is a high-risk position and requires a BI-level investigation
You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
A J.D. or LL. B. Degree is required.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.
Bar membership: Active and in good standing is required.
Applicants must separately address the Mandatory Qualifications.
Qualifications
Additionally, applicants must have at least seven years of progressively responsible professional legal experience. Qualifying experience must be of a type and level sufficient to demonstrate the applicant's ability to render final decisions in appeals covering a wide range of complex, highly contested issues in an efficient and timely manner.
As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Qualifications below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant.
MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS
1. Broad legal knowledge and experience, including as (a) a judge or attorney for a court or quasi-judicial body, (b) an attorney representing the government or private parties in litigation, and/or (c) an attorney advising government or private parties in legal disputes. Demonstrated ability to quickly develop a specialized knowledge of unfamiliar substantive areas.
2. Understanding of (a) administrative law and (b) Indian law, natural resources law, and/or environmental law, including relevant statutes, regulations and case law.
3. Skills in analyzing and synthesizing voluminous and technically complex evidentiary materials, and in researching, considering, and correctly applying the law to decide cases.
4. Skills in communications, negotiation, and consensus building that have been used in high level consultative or collaborative situations, and the ability to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively.
5. Ability to produce a high volume of quality work in a timely manner to meet individual and organizational goals.
Applicants who meet all the Mandatory Qualifications may be evaluated by a panel of experts to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statement for the Mandatory Qualifications described above.
Note regarding application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of the Interior considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants claiming veterans' preference must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and any other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. It is also recommended that you include this information in your cover letter or resume. Additional information on veterans' preference is available in the Vet Guide. (http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx)
Education
Education: Applicants must possess a LL.B., J.D., or LL.M. degree.
AND
Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar and in good standing, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia.
Additional information
Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the Interior Board of Indian Appeals. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.
Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process.
NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Each applicant is required to submit a comprehensive narrative statement addressing each mandatory qualification individually. The narrative must demonstrate the necessary level of skills, characteristics, qualities, specialized knowledge, and technical competence that would indicate successful performance in this Senior Level position. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that emphasize the applicant's level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of assignments, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. Applicants who fail to provide this narrative statement in the format requested will not be considered.
Phase 1 - Your application will be reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist to determine if you are minimally qualified for further consideration.
Phase 2 - If you are deemed minimally qualified, then your application will be reviewed by a panel of Subject-Matter-Experts (SMEs) to determine highly qualified applicants for further consideration.
Phase 3 - If you are deemed highly qualified, then you may be requested to provide legal writing samples in preparation of an interview. Additional interview rounds may be used during this phase.
Phase 4 - Once interviews conclude and a selection has been determined, then the Secretary of the Interior will provide a final disposition (approval or disapproval) for the candidate's appointment.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
1. REQUIRED - RESUME
Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement. Insufficient information will result in a not qualified rating. It is recommended that you include the following information:
Full name, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received.
Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including:
Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
Duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year)
Salary
Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
2. REQUIRED - MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION NARRATIVE STATEMENTS
You must provide a narrative statement addressing each of the Mandatory Qualifications using experience (paid and unpaid), education, training, awards, and/or self-development activities as related to each.
Each Mandatory Qualification must be addressed separately. Narrative statements must not exceed 2 pages for each individual Mandatory Qualification. Any written information beyond 2 pages will not be considered in your application.
3. REQUIRED - PROOF OF DEGREE AND BAR ADMISSION
You must provide proof of J.D. or LL.B. degree and current Bar membership that is in good standing.
4. REQUIRED - NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION (i.e., SF-50)
If you are a current Federal employee, a copy of a recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please redact your social security number and date of birth.
5. REQUIRED IF APPLICABLE
If you wish to have your status as a veteran considered, you must submit the appropriate documentation, such as a DD-214, SF-15 with appropriate supporting documentation and/or your last official statement from the Department of Veteran's Affairs, if you have a service connected disability.
6. REQUIRED - RECENT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
A copy of your most recent (within 24 months) annual performance appraisal (from either the Federal or private sector). Please remove your social security number. If you do not have a recent performance appraisal, then you must provide a written justification stating the reason.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Note for certain applicants:
Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES (political) employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
Due to COVID-19, we are currently in an expanded telework posture. If you are a non-remote worker, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in accordance with the Department's reentry procedures. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days per pay period depending upon the terms of the Department of the Interior's telework policy which requires supervisory approval.
Office of the Secretary
45600 Woodland Road
Sterling, VA 20166
US
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line assessment questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
1. REQUIRED - RESUME
Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement. Insufficient information will result in a not qualified rating. It is recommended that you include the following information:
Full name, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received.
Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including:
Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
Duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year)
Salary
Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
2. REQUIRED - MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION NARRATIVE STATEMENTS
You must provide a narrative statement addressing each of the Mandatory Qualifications using experience (paid and unpaid), education, training, awards, and/or self-development activities as related to each.
Each Mandatory Qualification must be addressed separately. Narrative statements must not exceed 2 pages for each individual Mandatory Qualification. Any written information beyond 2 pages will not be considered in your application.
3. REQUIRED - PROOF OF DEGREE AND BAR ADMISSION
You must provide proof of J.D. or LL.B. degree and current Bar membership that is in good standing.
4. REQUIRED - NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION (i.e., SF-50)
If you are a current Federal employee, a copy of a recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please redact your social security number and date of birth.
5. REQUIRED IF APPLICABLE
If you wish to have your status as a veteran considered, you must submit the appropriate documentation, such as a DD-214, SF-15 with appropriate supporting documentation and/or your last official statement from the Department of Veteran's Affairs, if you have a service connected disability.
6. REQUIRED - RECENT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
A copy of your most recent (within 24 months) annual performance appraisal (from either the Federal or private sector). Please remove your social security number. If you do not have a recent performance appraisal, then you must provide a written justification stating the reason.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Note for certain applicants:
Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES (political) employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
Due to COVID-19, we are currently in an expanded telework posture. If you are a non-remote worker, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in accordance with the Department's reentry procedures. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days per pay period depending upon the terms of the Department of the Interior's telework policy which requires supervisory approval.
Office of the Secretary
45600 Woodland Road
Sterling, VA 20166
US
Next steps
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line assessment questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
