Attorney-Adviser (General) at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Summary About the Position: The duty station for this position is the Office of Counsel, South Atlantic Division (SAD), Headquarters, US Army Corps of Engineers in Atlanta, Georgia. Responsibilities Serves as Assistant Division Counsel supporting the Southern Regional Environmental and Energy Office (REEO) as Regional Counsel. Incumbent applies a broad knowledge of directives, laws, court opinions, policies and regulations relating to Federal and Army environmental, energy, and real estate procedures to provide guidance and assistance to subordinate commands. Interprets current policy for subordinate commands as well as other elements of Office of Secretary Defense (OSD), Headquarters, Department of Army (HQDA) and and Headquarters, US Army Corps of Engineers (HQUSACE). Formulates policies and develops procedures and regulations and reviews and comments on new federal and state regulations. Proposes state legislative initiatives and evaluates proposed state legislation to determine impact on military installations, policy, procedures, and programs. Provides comments, coordinated with installations, subordinate commands, other OSD, HQDA, or HQUSACE elements, and other Services as appropriate. Identifies, monitors, and influences state environmental, energy, land use, and related legislation and regulations that may significantly impact the Army or Department of Defense (DoD) mission. Promotes external communication and collaboration and builds sustainable professional relationships by identifying, developing and participating in outreach and advocacy opportunities. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens This position is eligible for Telework as determined by agency policy. The minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Bar membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Experience: For GS-14 or equivalent - Applicant must have three or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LLM may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience. 1) A resume. 2) Official law school transcripts and an official statement of relative class standing. Photo copies are acceptable when applying (DOES NOT APPLY TO CURRENT CORPS OF ENGINEERS ATTORNEYS). 3) Official certificate showing that the applicant is a member in good standing of the bar and a sworn and notarized statement by the candidate that his or her fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction or; if either has been challenged, a sworn and notarized statement giving the facts and circumstances, and any other explanation that the applicant considers appropriate. As an alternative to a sworn and notarized statement, a declaration under penalty of perjury may be submitted in the following format: I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct ? executed on (date) (signature of applicant)." (28 U.S.C. 1746). The official certificate and statement of fitness must be dated within three months of the date the application is submitted. The certificate and statement are required to be submitted by all applicants including attorneys currently appointed to positions under the qualifying authority of the Judge Advocate General of the Army. (DOES NOT APPLY TO CURRENT CORPS OF ENGINEER ATTORNEYS). 4) A sworn and notarized statement by the candidate that his or her fitness to practice law or conduct as an attorney has never been challenged in any jurisdiction or; if either has been challenged, a sworn and notarized statement giving the facts and circumstances, and any other explanation that the applicant considers appropriate, dated within three months of the date the application is submitted. As an alternative to a sworn and notarized statement, a declaration under penalty of perjury may be submitted in the following format: I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct...executed on (date)(signature of applicant)." (28 U.S.C.1746). 5) Three recent letters of recommendation, dated within 6 months of the opening date of this announcement, from attorneys-at-law. One of these letters should be from a current supervisor if possible. Legible copies of dated and signed letters of recommendation are acceptable. (DOES NOT APPLY TO CURRENT CORPS OF ENGINEERS ATTORNEYS). 6) A writing sample. Writing Samples shall not exceed 10 pages including cover sheets, tables of content, etc. Any pages after page 10 will be discarded and not considered. (APPLIES TO ALL CANDIDATES INCLUDING CURRENT CORPS OF ENGINEERS ATTORNEYS). 7) Current federal employees or reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a copy of their latest SF 50 and most recent performance evaluation. Applicants currently serving in the military must also submit a copy of their most recent OER and/or DD 214. (Items 2, 3, and 5 above do not apply to Current Corps of Engineers Attorneys). NOTE: Your application package (resume and required supporting documents) will be reviewed to verify that you meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements. If so, your application package will be evaluated as to whether your experience, knowledge, skills, training and/or education clearly reflect that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Attorneys who applied under an Expression of Interest need not re-apply. APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED ON THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Technical Knowledge: Knowledge and experience with federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in research, analysis, and effectively advising regarding complex areas of Federal and corresponding state law such as the: a) Clean Air Act; b) Clean Water Act; c) Safe Drinking Water Act; d) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; e) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; and f) National Environmental Policy Act. Ability to function as a senior counselor and advisor to the Commander and the REEO-Southern Director, the ASA(IE&E) and the United States Army Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI) effectively as legal subject matter expert and programmatic advisor with other military and senior management officials within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and with other governmental entities, the public, and private parties. The incumbent will work with the Army Office of General Counsel to provide legal assistance regarding contracting, environmental, utility regulation and other matters to the OEI pertaining to its renewable/alternative energy projects at Army installations within the assigned region. Leadership Abilities: Workload and/or staff direction and management experience, including experience in establishing goals, executing processes, and leading staff to implement and adjust objectives to meet mission requirements. Other Indicia of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior leadership at all levels. Experience in recruiting, managing, and evaluating attorneys; ability to lead and manage complex legal issues, including reviewing the work of legal subject matter experts. Credentials as indicated in the resume and other application materials (e.g., awards, evidence of support for diversity and EEO, performance ratings, educational achievements). TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENTS: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government you must have completed 1 year at the next lower level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. Education An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD). Only a degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education acceptable to meet positive education requirements, or to substitute education for experience. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. Two year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Career Program (CP) 56 - Legal position. You may claim military spouse preference (MSP). If a MSP applicant is determined best qualified and selected, placement must be at the full performance level for priority consideration. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, 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 within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy. Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/. A Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive MAY BE authorized.