Duties

As an Attorney Adviser, you will:

• Provide legal counsel in connection with the agency's programs supporting intercity passenger rail services, including advising on major infrastructure projects.
• Provide legal counsel in connection with environmental and historic preservation matters for the agency's programs under the NEPA, the NHPA, and related environmental laws and regulations, including representing the agency in any related litigation.
• Provide legal services supporting a range of FRA's non-safety programs, including fiscal law, contracting and acquisitions, administrative law generally, drafting regulations and guidance, Freedom of Information Act, and representing the agency in litigation and other disputes.
• Provide legal counsel in connection with the agency's financial assistance programs.

The ideal candidate for this position has three or more years of experience advising on the development and implementation of transportation or other infrastructure projects, preferably with a focus on major project development. He or she has experience advising on Federal financial assistance programs, primarily grants and cooperative agreements. The ideal candidate will also have experience advising clients on the Federal environmental review process arising out of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. He or she should also possess: strong organizational skills as well as research and analytic skills and the ability to identify and analyze complicated factual and legal issues; strong oral and written communication skills and experience and ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences; and the ability to handle multiple projects, activities, and issues simultaneously. Litigation experience or government procurement and contracting experience is a plus.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• This is an Excepted Service position.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period.
• ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-12, you must have at least two years of equal or equivalent experience, it must include:

• A law degree, bar membership and either two years of professional attorney experience or a second professional degree (LLM) which requires one full year of graduate study.

To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least three years of equal or equivalent experience, it must include:

• A law degree, bar membership and either three years of professional relevant attorney experience or two years of professional relevant attorney experience and a second professional law degree (LL.M) which requires one full year of graduate study.

To qualify for the GS-14, you must have at least five years of equal or equivalent experience, it must include:

• A law degree, bar membership and either five years of professional relevant attorney experience or four years of professional relevant attorney experience and a second professional law degree (LL.M) which requires one full year of graduate study.

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.

Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

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.

Education

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Additional information

PLEASE NOTE:

• This is a Bargaining unit position represented by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2814.

TELEWORK: Managers may exercise discretion to allow a limited amount of regular or task-based telework for this position.

COVID VACCINATION: As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.