National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Job Title: Attorney Advisor (General)

Department: Department Of Commerce

Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Sub Agency: Office of General Counsel

Job Announcement Number: UNSEC-GC-2010-0044

JOB SUMMARY:

Duties

Additional Duty Location Info:

Few vacancies - Silver Spring, MD; Few vacancies - Washington DC Metro Area, DC; Few vacancies - Long Beach, CA

Duties include representing NOAA in matters relating to its natural resource trustee responsibilities under various federal statutes such as the Oil Pollution Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, & Liability Act (CERCLA), and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and developing damage claims under those authorities.  The position involves working with a team of NOAA scientists, natural resource economists and restoration experts to assess injuries to NOAA trust resources and to determine the types and amount of restoration necessary to address the injuries.  The NOAA attorney would work closely with the U.S. Department of Justice, other federal, state and tribal natural resource trustees, NGOs and industry representatives to negotiate settlements that will allow expeditious restoration of injured trust resources.  The NOAA attorney must take into account U.S. and NOAA policies during the development and resolution of natural resource claims.  For more information see www.darrp.noaa.gov.

Qualifications and Evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

NOAA seeks recent law school graduates or attorneys with knowledge of federal environmental statutes and conservation laws, as well as laws and regulations governing Federal agencies, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

Applicants must have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and to identify and resolve complex legal issues.  Applicants also must demonstrate the ability to manage large projects independently, assimilate large amounts of materials quickly, balance a large and diverse workload, and work effectively in a team with other attorneys and support staff.

Significant academic achievement in law school (such as graduation in top third of class, graduation with honors, judicial clerking experience, or participation in moot court or law review) or experience practicing environmental law will be favorably considered.

Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school, and be an active member of a state bar or the bar of the District of Columbia.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens to qualify for this position.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Applicants will be evaluated based on the Qualifications described above.  Please be advised that NOAA Attorney positions are in the Excepted Service.  As such, these positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures.  There is no numerical rating system through which to apply veterans preference; however, the NOAA Office of the General Counsel considers veterans preference eligibility as a positive factor in hiring.  Applicants eligible for veterans preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume, and to attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:

You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.

Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

Long-Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#ltci

New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV

You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI

If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may be subsidized. Our human resources office can provide additional information on how this program is run.

A tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan (401K) is available:  http://www.tsp.gov

OTHER INFORMATION:

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. 

As such, these positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures.  There is no numerical rating system through which to apply veteran's preference; however, the NOAA Office of the General Counsel considers veterans preference eligibility as a positive factor in hiring.  Applicants eligible for veteran's preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume, and to attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

Relocation or moving expenses will not be reimbursed.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application may be made by sending a resume, writing sample (not exceeding ten pages), and cover letter to Marjorie Sams, Office of the General Counsel, or by e-mail to: GCNR.Jobvacancy@noaa.gov by August 4, 2010.

In your cover letter, please explain how your experience, education, training, activities, or awards relate to the qualification listed above.  Also explain why you are interested in working for the NOAA Office of the General Counsel.  Please include your e-mail address and your day and evening telephone numbers, and indicate the best time to reach you by telephone.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Applicants will not be notified that their application has been received.  Interviews may be arranged at the discretion of NOAA's Office of the General Counsel for those subject to further consideration based upon qualifications.