Attorney Advisor (Development Law)

Federal Railroad Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Development Law supports national infrastructure goals by counseling on legal requirements for project delivery and investment. Staff attorneys manage portfolios including federal financial assistance, environmental compliance (NEPA/NHPA), and the agency's relationship with Amtrak.

Qualifications include a JD/LLB, active bar admission, and progressively responsible legal experience.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school with LL.B., J.D., or equivalent and at least one year of professional legal work experience.
• Active bar membership in the state, DC, or PR in good standing.
• For higher grades, additional years of legal experience and bar status as required.

Responsibilities

• Counsel FRA's Office of Railroad Development on legal requirements for project delivery.
• Manage portfolios including federal financial assistance and environmental compliance.
• Oversee NEPA/NHPA processes and related environmental reviews.
• Represent the agency in legal matters concerning Amtrak relations.

Skills

Administrative Law

Written Communication

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Education

J.D./LL.B. or equivalent

Bar admission in US/DC/PR

Job description

The Office of Development Law supports national goals of infrastructure modernization and network expansion by counseling FRA's Office of Railroad Development on legal requirements for project delivery and infrastructure investment. Staff attorneys manage complex portfolios including federal financial assistance, environmental compliance (National Environmental Policy Act/National Historic Preservation Act), and the agency's comprehensive legal relationship with Amtrak.

To qualify your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following:

GRADE 12 -

You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least ONE (1) year of professional legal work experience.
• Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

GRADE 13

You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

• Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least TWO (2) years of professional legal work experience.
• Be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

GRADE 14

You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least THREE (3) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature.
• Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

GRADE 15

You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

• Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least FOUR (4) years of professional attorney experience.
• Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

You cannot qualify for any grade on education alone; you must also have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Administrative Law - Knowledge of State and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to Federal financial assistance.
2. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.

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.

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.