Serves as Legal Counsel/Advisor for the United States Section, International Boundary & Water Commission (USIBWC), Legal Affairs Office (LAO), in support of the Chief Legal Counsel, providing legal advice and a full range of legal services to Agency staff. Provides legal representation services during administrative proceedings, litigation and related activity. Administers the Agency Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program and assists with administering the Ethics and Privacy Act Programs.
Summary
Serves as Legal Counsel/Advisor for the United States Section, International Boundary & Water Commission (USIBWC), Legal Affairs Office (LAO), in support of the Chief Legal Counsel, providing legal advice and a full range of legal services to Agency staff. Provides legal representation services during administrative proceedings, litigation and related activity. Administers the Agency Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program and assists with administering the Ethics and Privacy Act Programs.
Reviews proposed agreements with Mexico to ensure compatibility with existing treaties, minutes, or agreements.
Reviews and advises on environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, findings, and actions for legal compliance along with questions regarding water rights.
Administers all legal activities relating to wastewater treatment segment of the USIBWC operations.
Provides guidance to USIBWC personnel on compliance with the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), the Federal Acquisitions Streaming Act, and the federal procurement process.
Researches and provides advice concerning land acquisition or disposal, and other real-estate matters.
Reviews significant employee and labor relations proposals and decisions for compliance with federal and agency guidelines.
Advises the Agency during pre-complaint Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process.
Reviews and advises on claims to Agency brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).
Represents the agency before administrative agencies such as the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Contract Appeals Board.
Assists in the administration of the USIBWC Ethics and Privacy Act Programs.
Administers the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program.
You must be a U.S. Citizen or Naturalized U.S. Citizen.
You must obtain and maintain a favorable background investigation.
In accordance with 5 CFR subsection 731.106(A) the agency has assigned a High Risk designation to this position. The designation hereby subjects the incumbent to an enhanced background investigation.
You must complete and submit the required U.S. Office of Government Ethics Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report upon entrance on duty and the supplemental Periodic Transaction Report annually thereafter.
You must have graduated with a J.D. or LL.B. from an American Bar Association accredited law school and continually be an active member in good standing of the bar in a U.S. jurisdiction.
You may be required to serve a two (2) year trial period.
You may be required to travel for official business up to 25% of the time.
You may be required to work overtime.
Qualifications
Qualifications must be met by 02/12/2024
Basic Requirements:
You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, and be licensed to practice law as evidenced by admission to, and membership of, the bar; AND
GG-12:
1. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
2. Specialized professional legal experience in excess of 2 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
GG-13:
1. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
2. Specialized professional legal experience in excess of 3 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
GG-14:
1. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND
2. Specialized professional legal experience in excess of 5 years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.
GG-14 - Examples of specialized experience: conducting research concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, and regulations as they pertain to contracts, claims, or other legal instruments involving agency activities, and state, local, or international matters; researching international agreements and other federal laws relevant to proposed agreements; writing legal opinions outlining rationale for agency commitments; co-leading agency negotiation National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and other necessary permits for sanitation projects; assisting in drafting and reviewing final environmental permits; participating in resolving and responding to legal issues regarding implementation and compliance with environmental permits; independently researching complex and novel issues of environmental law; administering legal activities relating to wastewater treatment operations; reviewing major contracts, modifications, options, and other procurement activities; advising staff on the federal procurement process in compliance with Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR); examining contracts and related legal documents for legal sufficiency; researching and providing advice concerning land acquisition or disposal; drafting and updating out grant (license/permit) templates; reviewing significant employee and labor relations proposals and decisions for compliance with federal and agency guidelines; advising management on various courses of action to address employee performance and misconduct issues; assisting with administrative investigations into allegations of misconduct to ensure proper investigative technique and rights warnings are issued; advising management during pre-complaint Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process; processing tort claims using appropriate federal forms and writing memorandums justifying payment under the Tort Claims Act; researching Ethics Statutes and Regulations and Privacy Act (PA) provisions; assisting in implementing Ethics and Privacy Act Programs; processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeals of adverse determinations; updating FOIA regulations; ensuring quarterly and yearly FOIA requests are completed and submitted. Duties performed are equivalent to the GG/GS-13 level in the Federal service or comparable pay systems in the private or public sector.
GG-12/13 - Performing in a developmental capacity - Examples of specialized experience: performing a wide variety of professional legal services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of the agency, including international law, contract law, environmental law, real estate law and federal employment and labor relations law; conducting research concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, and regulations as they pertain to contracts, claims, or other legal instruments involving agency activities, and state, local, or international matters; analyzing factual and legal issues presented to determine the need for further facts and applicability of legal sources; reviewing major contracts, modifications, options and other significant procurement activities; researching laws, legal opinions, policies, regulations, legal texts, precedent cases, technical and professional publications, and other authoritative sources; drafting correspondence, reports, formal contracts, advisory opinions or decisions, and legal briefs; assisting with the organization or agency's Ethics, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs; and reviewing employee and labor relations proposals and decisions for compliance with federal and agency guidelines. Duties performed are equivalent to the GG/GS-11/12 level in the Federal service or comparable pay systems in the private or public sector.
Part-Time or Unpaid Experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.
Education
When there is a positive education requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, transcripts (unofficial) are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement or substitution.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .
Additional information
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (member-4 copy) or other proof of eligibility that shows the dates you were on active duty and your character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are claiming Disabled Veterans' preference you must also submit documentation of disability (i.e. VA Disability Verification Letter) and the SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference." For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov).
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated in well-qualified by scoring 85 or higher on the assessment for this vacancy. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
The hiring agency may use this announcement to fill similar positions that become vacant in the near future.
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.
Once the application process is complete, your resume may be reviewed. Your resume and supporting documentation are used to determine if you are qualified for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If reviewed, your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities or competencies:
-Legal Principles and Practices
-Legal Research
-Oral and Written Communication
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.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application package:
Resume: Your resume MUST state complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer be considered for this position.
Completed on-line occupational questionnaire.
Professional Law School Transcripts: This position has an educational requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript, failure to do so will disqualify you and you will no longer be considered for this position.
State Bar License: You MUST submit a copy of your State Bar License, failure to do so will disqualify you and you will no longer be considered for this position.
All Applicants Claiming Veterans' Preference should include the following documents as part of the application package:
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/12/2024 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12307034
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
4191 N. Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application package:
Resume: Your resume MUST state complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer be considered for this position.
Completed on-line occupational questionnaire.
Professional Law School Transcripts: This position has an educational requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript, failure to do so will disqualify you and you will no longer be considered for this position.
State Bar License: You MUST submit a copy of your State Bar License, failure to do so will disqualify you and you will no longer be considered for this position.
All Applicants Claiming Veterans' Preference should include the following documents as part of the application package:
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/12/2024 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12307034
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
4191 N. Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
