Attorney Advisor
What you'd do
This position is a staff attorney in FTA's Office of Chief Counsel, Litigation and Regional Operations Division, and functions, specifically, as the Regional Counsel in Region 10 in Seattle, WA. You will provide a wide range of legal services involving all functional areas assigned to the Office of Chief Counsel, including research and counseling on all legal requirements pertaining to the regional office's administration of FTA's grant and loan programs, and the agency's related authorities.
Major duties
As an Attorney Advisor, you will: Serve as counsel to the agency and as a member of the Chief Counsel's staff. Serve as a legal resource, respond to questions posed by FTA Regional staff and others within and outside the Federal Government and prepare necessary documentation to support the agency's position on matters for which the incumbent has primary responsibility. Advise on questions of law or administrative policy involved in the operation of FTA and in its contacts with industry, private and professional associations, State and local governments, and the public. Provide litigation support in cases involving FTA, as needed, which may include compiling the administrative record; performing legal research; reviewing/editing litigation papers; and working with attorneys from FTA, DOT, the Justice Department, and other Federal agencies on case strategy and legal positions. Evaluate pending grant applications for legal sufficiency, ascertaining whether the Regional Administrator has an adequate basis upon which to make the findings and determinations that are a prerequisite to grant approval. Provide timely review of draft environmental documents and historic preservation documents to ensure supporting documentation is in compliance with federal requirements and adequate for an administrative record. Following the execution of grant agreements by FTA's grant recipients, the candidate assists in ensuring proper execution of the funded projects. Provide legal advice relating to public safety and security of transit agencies in FTA Region 10, including compliance oversight and enforcement. Draft legal opinions and perform legal services concerning the negotiation, drafting, execution, and administration of Federal grants, and cooperative agreements regarding various agency programs. The ideal candidate is the ideal candidate is one with experience in general law, including the following areas: government contracts, administrative procedure, grants agreements, real property, Federal ethics, environmental and/or civil rights law.
What you need to qualify
To qualify, your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following: GRADE 13 - A law degree, bar membership in good standing, AND at least three (3) years of professional legal work experience, OR A second law degree (LL.M) AND two (2) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature. 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: Administrative Law - Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements. 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. GRADE 14 - A law degree, bar membership in good standing and at least FIVE years of professional attorney 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: Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines - Knowledge of principles, laws, regulations, policies, practices, and guidelines (for example, Executive Orders, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB circulars) of transportation and fiscal law, including their order of precedence. Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process. 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Before you apply
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