What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative legal advice and counsel, the Office of the Solicitor, performs the legal work for the Department of the Interior. The Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office.
Summary
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative legal advice and counsel, the Office of the Solicitor, performs the legal work for the Department of the Interior. The Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office.
As an Attorney-Adviser with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor (the positions may be managed out of any of the following four offices - Division of Mineral Resources (Washington, DC), Division of General Law (Washington, DC), Southwest Regional Office (Albuquerque, NM) or Northeast Regional Office (Bloomington, MN), you will assist the Department's Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Federal Orphan Well Program.
The primary objective of this project is to remediate orphan wells on Federal Lands. This multi-agency effort includes DOI Land Management Agencies (primarily BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USDA), the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's (BIL) historic investments will help revitalize local economies and support jobs, while addressing environmental impacts from legacy developments. Your specific duties will include:
Providing legal research, analysis, advice, representation, and other legal services, including drafting legal opinions, to the OEPC, the BLM, and other bureaus and officials of the Depart of the Interior (DOI) on issues that arise with respect to the Federal, State, or Tribal Orphan Well Programs and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Advising, analyzing, and assisting OEPC and BLM on rulemakings, enforcement actions, policy initiatives, guidance documents, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters or other agency decisions. This will require providing oral and written advice, including legal memoranda.
Cooperating with officials and staff of OEPC and BLM in their headquarters, regional and state offices; officials and staff of other bureaus of DOI; other attorneys within the Office of the Solicitor, attorneys in DOJ, including attorneys in the offices of the U.S. Attorneys; officials in other Federal agencies; and State, local or tribal officials. There may also be interactions with attorneys and others representing non-governmental interests.
Require development of detailed familiarity with such laws as the: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL); Administrative Procedure Act; Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and various Federal laws and regulations related to bankruptcies, appropriations, and federal financial assistance, including contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. In addition, you may also be cross-trained and provide backup legal services for the DOI's other client agencies, in areas including natural resource damage claims, the Endangered Species Act, mineral leasing, and other public lands issues.
Handling administrative litigation in the DOI Office of Hearings and Appeals and assisting the DOJ with judicial litigation (e.g., conducting research, analysis, and interpretation of legal theory, laws, regulations, judicial and administrative court decisions and other legal documents in the preparation and presentation of assigned litigation, hearings, appeals and negotiations). This position may require drafting of litigation reports, motions and briefs, responding to discovery, reviewing administrative records, collecting evidence, developing legal theories and other associated responsibilities.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
Must be an active member of the bar.
Selectee may be subject to serving a 2-year trial period.
More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
If selected you may be asked to provide information regarding your COVID-19 vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as those related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification of compliance upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure.
Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
Qualifications
In order to better assess your qualifications for this position, when preparing your cover letter, please address your experience in or familiarity with any of the following areas of law: the Administrative Procedure Act; the National Environmental Policy Act; the Mineral Leasing Act or related mineral development laws; the Freedom of Information Act; and various Federal laws related to bankruptcies, appropriations, regulatory enforcement and compliance and federal financial assistance, including contracting, cooperative agreements, and grants. In addition, please address your experience in or familiarity with the following areas of legal work: research and writing legal memoranda and opinions; providing oral or written legal advice or recommendations to Federal, state, local, or tribal agencies, clients, judges, and/or senior attorneys; drafting regulations or legislation; and litigating in Federal court or before an administrative law judge or appeals board.
Basic Qualification Requirements
Applicants must be law school graduates with LL.B. or J.D. degrees AND applicants must be an active member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.
To qualify for a GS-12 applicants must possess at least 2-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation;
To qualify for a GS-13 applicants must possess at least 3-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation;
To qualify for a GS-14 applicants must possess at least 4.5-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation;
For any of the grades indicated above you can substitute one year of experience with any of the following:
have a second professional law degree; OR
meet any of the criteria indicated below:
Academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class;
Graduation with academic honors;
Significant participation on the law school's law review;
Significant participation in the law school's moot court competition;
Significant participation in a clinical legal aid program;
Significant summer law office clerk experience; or
Other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement.
Candidates should have excellent oral communication, writing, research and analysis skills, and the ability to work effectively with other people, and exercise sound judgment.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
Additional information
Other Information:
Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
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.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
SOL has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
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.
--The information and materials you provide will be used to evaluate that you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements for this position.
--Basis of Rating: Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applicants that meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements of the position will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Applicants who are found to be qualified and referred to the selecting official for consideration may be asked to provide a writing sample. Instructions will be included in the email communication sent to qualified candidates.
Applicants who are found to be qualified and referred to the selecting official for consideration may be asked to participate in one or more interviews. Instructions will be included in the email communication sent to qualified candidates
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 submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit documentation may result in not receiving consideration for this position.
All Applicants
-- Resume: A detailed resume that demonstrates your professional history, education and qualifications along with the state in which your active Bar membership is held
-- Cover Letter: A 1-2 page cover letter is required expressing your specific interest and qualifications for this position. Please indicate in your cover letter the vacancy locations (Albuquerque, NM; Bloomington, MN; and/or Washington, DC) in which you are interested.
-- Transcripts: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement. This proof may be faxed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Required Documents" and/or "Contact Information"). Please ensure that all documentation is legible. If you are currently employed by the Federal government in the same occupational series as the advertised position, you are not required to submit transcripts at this time.
--Bar Membership - You must provide information in your resume regarding the state in which your active Bar membership is held.
Current & Former Federal Employees --If you are a current or former Federal employee, please submit the following by the closing date of this announcement:
a copy of a recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting tenure, position title, occupational series, grade level, step and salary; and
your most recent performance appraisal (if you do not have your most recent performance appraisal, please submit an explanation as to why it is unavailable)
Veteran's Preference
--If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement.
--If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of military service is honorable.
--If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference.
--Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.
Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.
--Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
--Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement:1) Click the blue "Apply Online" button.2) If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile.3) As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application.4) Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen.5) Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy.6) Submit required documents using one of the available methods listed below.7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.
BR OF GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US
Next steps
--We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit documentation may result in not receiving consideration for this position.
All Applicants
-- Resume: A detailed resume that demonstrates your professional history, education and qualifications along with the state in which your active Bar membership is held
-- Cover Letter: A 1-2 page cover letter is required expressing your specific interest and qualifications for this position. Please indicate in your cover letter the vacancy locations (Albuquerque, NM; Bloomington, MN; and/or Washington, DC) in which you are interested.
-- Transcripts: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement. This proof may be faxed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Required Documents" and/or "Contact Information"). Please ensure that all documentation is legible. If you are currently employed by the Federal government in the same occupational series as the advertised position, you are not required to submit transcripts at this time.
--Bar Membership - You must provide information in your resume regarding the state in which your active Bar membership is held.
Current & Former Federal Employees --If you are a current or former Federal employee, please submit the following by the closing date of this announcement:
a copy of a recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting tenure, position title, occupational series, grade level, step and salary; and
your most recent performance appraisal (if you do not have your most recent performance appraisal, please submit an explanation as to why it is unavailable)
Veteran's Preference
--If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement.
--If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of military service is honorable.
--If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference.
--Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.
Required documents may be: (1) uploaded directly from your desktop; or (2) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments.
--Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
--Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement:1) Click the blue "Apply Online" button.2) If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile.3) As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application.4) Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen.5) Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy.6) Submit required documents using one of the available methods listed below.7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.
BR OF GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US
Next steps
--We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
