With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative advice and counsel, DOI Solicitor’s Office performs the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior, and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than five hundred employees, more than four hundred of which are attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department’s diverse and wide-ranging mission.

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Job Grade: 12
Total Openings: 1

Duties:

As an Attorney-Adviser with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Division of Water Resources, Branch of Indian Water Resources, located in Washington, D.C. your specific duties will include: Providing legal research, analysis, advice, representation, and other legal services to the Solicitor, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and officials of the Department of the Interior (DOI) on issues that arise with respect to BIA irrigation projects, BIA power projects, BIA safety of dams, hydroelectric projects and licensing, and Indian water rights. Providing on-the-spot legal guidance in the resolution of complex contracting and procurement, federal appropriations, administrative, and program issues. Advising, analyzing, and assisting BIA and DOI on matters related to consultation and cooperation with Tribal and State governments. 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. Advising, analyzing, and assisting BIA and DOI on rulemakings, 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. Preparing and negotiating transactional documents on behalf of the Department and advising and counseling during negotiating transactions with other Federal agencies, tribes, and states. Providing advice and recommendations regarding debt collection and bankruptcy. Cooperating with officials and staff of BIA and DOI 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 and to in other Federal agencies; and State, local or tribal officials. There may also be interactions with attorneys and others representing non-governmental interests. Salary Range GS-12: $ 94,199 to $ 122,459 GS-13: $ 112,015 to $ 145,617 GS-14: $132,368 to $ 172,075 First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

Qualifications:

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. Applicants must also meet one of the following:–possess at least 1-year of professional legal experience following law school graduation; OR–have a second professional law degree; OR–meet any of the criteria indicated below:(a) academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class;(b) graduation with academic honors;(c) significant participation on the law school’s law review;(d) significant participation in the law school’s moot court competition;(e) significant participation in a clinical legal aid program;(f) significant summer law office clerk experience; or(g) other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement. GS-12/13/14: In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements described above, applicants must also have the following additional years of professional legal experience for the grade level indicated: –GS-12 = 1 year –GS-13 = 2 years –GS-14 = 3 ?? years In order to better assess your qualifications for this position, when preparing your resume please be sure to address your experience in or familiarity with the following areas of legal work: researching and writing legal memoranda and opinions and providing legal advice or recommendations to clients, judges, and/or senior attorneys; preparing transactional agreements and other documents; and evidentiary privileges and e-discovery, including familiarity with technology associated with the electronic search, retrieval, and review of documents. In addition, please address your experience in or familiarity with the following areas and legal authorities: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; Inflation Reduction Act; Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and its Federal regulations, 25 C.F.R. 900-1001; Administrative Procedure Act; Indian Dams Safety Act; Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act; Federal Power Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Federal regulations that govern BIA irrigation projects, 25 C.F.R. 171; Federal regulations that govern BIA power projects, 25 C.F.R. 175; and various Federal laws and regulations related to federal projects, appropriations, and federal financial assistance, including contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. 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. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM’s website:https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Job Requirements:

Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. 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. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. 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/. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? 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. 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.