Closing Date: 8th May, 2024

Description:

Summary:

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 United States Department of the Interior, and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than five hundred employees, more than four hundred of which are attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission.

Duties:

As an Attorney-Adviser with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Southwest Regional Office, located in Albuquerque, NM your specific duties will include:

Providing legal research, analysis, advice, representation, and other legal services, including drafting legal opinions, to the Fish and Wildlife Service and officials of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on issues that arise with respect to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Primary responsibilities will involve the consultation and permitting requirements of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. You will also assist with review of National Environmental Policy Act documents.
Providing on-the-spot legal guidance in the resolution of complex contracting and procurement, federal appropriations, administrative, and program issues.
Advising, analyzing, and assisting FWS and DOI on matters related to consultation and cooperation with tribal and State governments.
Handling administrative litigation in the DOI Office of Hearings and Appeals and assisting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with judicial litigation (e.g., conducting research, analysis, and interpretation of legal theory, laws, regulations, judicial and administrative court decisions and other legal documents in the preparation and presentation of assigned litigation, hearings, appeals and negotiations). This position may require drafting of litigation reports, motions and briefs, responding to discovery, reviewing administrative records, collecting evidence, developing legal theories and other associated responsibilities.
Advising, analyzing, and assisting FWS and DOI on rulemakings, enforcement actions, policy initiatives, guidance documents, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters or other agency decisions. This will require providing oral and written advice, including legal memoranda.
Cooperating with officials and staff of FWS and DOI in their headquarters, regional and state offices; officials and staff of other bureaus of DOI; other attorneys within the Office of the Solicitor, attorneys in DOJ, including attorneys in the offices of the U.S. Attorneys; officials and to in other Federal agencies; and State, local or tribal officials. There may also be interactions with attorneys and others representing non-governmental interests.

This position will also require development of detailed familiarity with such laws as the: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL); Administrative Procedure Act; Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act; law related to the administration of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and various Federal laws and regulations related to federal projects, appropriations, and federal financial assistance, including contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. In addition, you may also be cross-trained and provide backup legal services for the DOI's other client agencies.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Key Requirements:

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
Must be an active member of the bar.
Selectee may be subject to serving a 2-year trial period.
You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification of compliance upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure.
Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.

Qualifications:
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.