General Attorney.

US Army Corps of Engineers; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

US Army Corps of Engineers seeks an attorney to prepare complex legal opinions and render advice on matters requiring original and creative legal work to balance conflicting interests.

The position involves coordinating with supervisors for program consistency, preparing opinions on state and federal law, and providing litigation support to the District Commander and senior staff. A bar membership and ABA- accredited education are required.

Qualifications

• Requires education from ABA-accredited law school and a JD/LLB.
• Must be admitted to the bar in a U.S. state, territory, DC, or Puerto Rico.
• Two or more years of professional legal experience for GS-13; or top 25% with LLM and one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review complex legal opinions and instruments.
• Advise on state and federal laws and regulations.
• Support Department of Justice and provide litigation representation to the District Commander and senior staff.
• Conduct research on complex legal questions and issues.

Skills

Legal research

Client counseling

Written opinions

Advising clients

Education

ABA-accredited law school (JD/LLB)

Bar admission (US)

Job description

• Prepare legal opinions, or other legal instruments, and render advice to clients on matters which require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in order to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests.


• Advice regarding national programs is reviewed by supervisor for consistency with agency policy before it is rendered to clients.


• Responsible for the preparation or review of extremely complex legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.


• Conduct the necessary research or investigations in connection complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.


• Function as a trial attorney, support the Department of Justice, and provide advice and litigation representation to the District Commander and senior staff in a variety of forums, and on a variety of legal issues.


• Work cohesively with individuals and groups of varied technical and professional backgrounds.
  

Duties

• Prepare legal opinions, or other legal instruments, and render advice to clients on matters which require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavour in order to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests.


• Advice regarding national programs is reviewed by supervisor for consistency with agency policy before it is rendered to clients.


• Responsible for the preparation or review of extremely complex legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.


• Conduct the necessary research or investigations in connection complex questions relating to state and federal laws and regulations.


• Function as a trial attorney, support the Department of Justice, and provide advice and litigation representation to the District Commander and senior staff in a variety of forums, and on a variety of legal issues.


• Work cohesively with individuals and groups of varied technical and professional backgrounds.
  

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.


• This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.


• Must maintain active status, in good standing, with at least one attorney licensing authority. Must provide certification of this status upon appointment and every two years thereafter.


• Recruitment, Relocation/Retention incentives MAY BE authorized.


• Relocation/PCS MAY BE Authorized


• See other requirements below.
  

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the Education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is

Qualification Requirements:

Education

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 (LL.B. or JD.).

Bar Membership

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 required:

Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-13 level, applicants must have two or more years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Or

Graduated from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or obtained and advanced law degree such as Master of Law (LLM) and have one year of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, which commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Notice Of Veterans' Preference

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney positions in the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and include supporting documentation (e.DD-214, \"Certificate for Release or Discharge from Active Duty\").

Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, \"Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,\" and supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed. The SF 15 will identify the supporting documentation required along with a list of the types of 10-point preference. The SF 15 is available from the OPM at

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

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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:

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.


• This position requires a 2 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.


• 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


• This is a Legal Career Program position aligned under the Public Affair, Inspector General, Legal, Learning, Archives, & Relations/ Communications (PILLAR) Career Management Directorate.


• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.


• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.


• 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.
  

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.