General Attorney

Summary

About the Position: This position offers an opportunity to provide legal services supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, in executing its diverse missions, including flood risk management, navigation, coastal storm risk management, ecosystem restoration, and regulatory activities throughout Florida. The selected attorney will advise District leadership and program personnel on complex legal matters and help advance critical projects and initiatives.

Duties

• •Serves as Assistant District Counsel, providing legal advice and advocacy in environmental law (including the USACE Regulatory Program), administrative law, and litigation.
• •Legal work may also include government contracting, construction law, real estate, fiscal law, information law, torts and other areas of law affecting District operations.
• •Provides proactive legal advice to District leadership and program personnel; identifies and evaluates legal risks and develops practical, legally supportable solutions to advance District missions.
• •Researches and analyzes complex legal issues; interprets statutes, regulations, and policies; and prepares legal opinions, memoranda, and other legal documents.
• •Advises and represents the District in litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters that may arise under federal environmental and regulatory laws.
• •Advises and represents the District in litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters that may arise under federal environmental and regulatory laws
• •Supports the Department of Justice in federal court litigation, including developing litigation strategy, drafting pleadings and motions, preparing administrative records, addressing discovery, and preparing for hearings and trials.
• •Communicates complex legal issues and recommendations clearly, orally and in writing, to leadership, clients, and other stakeholders.
• •Collaborates with attorneys, technical specialists, District personnel, and other federal agencies to resolve legal issues and promote consistent legal positions.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Technical Knowledge Demonstrated practical experience and mature judgment in solving legal problems. Demonstrated experience providing interpretations of statutes and regulations in the areas of environmental law, government contracting, construction law, real estate, fiscal law, litigation, torts, and/or administrative law. Demonstrated experience with drafting legal documents and reviewing client documents for legal soundness and accuracy sufficient for the accomplishment of difficult, complex, and varied work Litigation - Representation and Advocacy Demonstrated experience providing legal advice and trial advocacy regarding litigation that presents complex factual issues requiring extensive research, analysis, and obtaining and evaluating expert testimony or information. Demonstrated experience effectively representing and advocating for the client in litigation (preparing administrative records, pleadings, and dispositive motions; drafting and responding to discovery; hearing or trial experience) and in different forms of alternative dispute resolution. Demonstrated experience representing and advocating for the client in various forums, including before external agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public, often on contentious matters that involve very large sums of money and/or involve extremely capable opposing legal talent. Other Indicia of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior leadership and team members at all levels in a manner to advise, inform, and educate, even when the legal advice may differ from what is desired. Ability to work effectively on teams, including clients, experts and other witnesses, and colleagues. Credentials as indicated in the resume and other application materials (e.g., awards, performance ratings, educational requirements. The following minimum qualifications requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: For GS-12 grade level: Education Requirement: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD.). In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: Two or more years of professional legal experience. Examples of this experience are: researching and analyzing legal issues; interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, and case law; drafting legal memoranda, opinions, pleadings, or other legal documents; providing legal advice or recommendations to clients; and assisting with litigation, administrative proceedings, or other legal matters. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position: must possess either an advance law degree such as an LLM (masters of law) or graduated with a distinguished record from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class which may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience after being admitted to the bar. Examples of this experience are: researching and analyzing legal issues; interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, and case law; drafting legal memoranda, opinions, pleadings, or other legal documents; providing legal advice or recommendations to clients; and assisting with litigation, administrative proceedings, or other legal matters. Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (must provide a copy) Fitness to Practice Law: An applicant must currently be fit to practice law. If your fitness to practice law, or your conduct has ever been challenged you must submit a sworn statement giving the facts and circumstances, together with any explanations you consider appropriate. The sworn statement should be notarized and dated within 3 months of the date of your application. (If you are currently employed as an attorney with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this requirement does not apply to you). Time in Grade Requirement: If employed as an Attorney by the Federal government, you must have completed 1 year at the next lower level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. For GS-13 grade level: Education Requirement: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD.). In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: Two or more years of professional legal experience. Examples of this experience are: independently researching and analyzing complex legal issues; interpreting and applying statutes, regulati