Attorney-Advisor (General)
What you'd do
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 U.S. Department of the Interior, and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than five hundred total employees, more than four hundred of which are licensed attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission.
Major duties
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Rocky Mountain Region, Denver Regional office Lakewood, CO. As an Attorney-Advisor with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Rocky Mountain Region, Denver Regional Office, located in Lakewood, CO, at the full performance level (GS-14), the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Provide a full array of legal services to the offices and programs of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) with particular emphasis on legal issues related to the appropriate interpretation and implementation of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (FOGRMA); the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Work with ONRR to develop regulations implementing FOGRMA; represent ONRR in administrative appeals before the Hearings Division of the Department of the Interior's Office of Hearings and Appeals and before the Interior Board of Land Appeals; and provide litigation support to the Department of Justice when rules, administrative decisions or actions are challenged in federal court. Provide both oral and written advice to ONRR on a wide variety of matters, including questions related to the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Assist ONRR and the Department of Justice in developing, reviewing, filing, and proving the United States' claims in bankruptcy proceedings of entities whose assets include interests in federal or Indian mineral leases. Coordinate with colleagues and other offices in the Office of the Solicitor to ensure that legal advice provided is consistent and uniform and reflects the priorities of the Department of the Interior and the Secretary of the Interior. Work with ONRR in drafting, reviewing, and publishing rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act. Review proposed legislation and testimony related to the ONRR's offices and programs and assist with responses to Congressional document requests. Salary Information: GS-12: $99,800 (step 1) - $129,742 (step 10) per annum. GS-13: $118,675 (step 1) - $154,280 (step 10) per annum. GS-14: $140,239 (step 1) - $182,316 (step 10) per annum. *First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level.
What you need to qualify
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. To qualify for a GS-12 applicants must possess at least 2-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; To qualify for a GS-13 applicants must possess at least 3-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; To qualify for a GS-14 applicants must possess at least 4.5-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; For any of the grades indicated above you can substitute one year of experience with any of the following: --Have a second professional law degree; OR --Meet any of the criteria indicated below: 1. academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class; 2. graduation with academic honors; 3. significant participation on the law school's law review; 4. significant participation in the law school's moot court competition; 5. significant participation in a clinical legal aid program; 6. significant summer law office clerk experience; or 7. other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement. 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.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.