Attorney Advisor

Full Job Description

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency), Office of General Counsel (OGC), is seeking to fill an Attorney Advisor position that will focus primarily on general administrative law issues, including but not limited to issues relating to Federal ethics laws, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act of 1974, Federal Records Act, and fiscal law.

The Attorney Advisor may also provide legal counsel on the Farm Credit Act of 1971, FCA regulations, and other legal matters.

Basic Requirements: Must have a law degree (such as a J.D.) from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association; and Must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the specialized experience statement(s) as outlined below: To qualify for the VH-38 (GS-12 equivalent) band level: You must be a graduate from an accredited law school, be an active member in good standing of a qualifying legal bar, and have two years of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-37 (GS-11) band level.

To qualify for the VH-39 (GS-13 equivalent) band level: You must be a graduate from an accredited law school, be an active member in good standing of a qualifying legal bar and have three years of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-38 (GS-12) band level.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate one or more of the following: Providing legal counsel to agency officials on Federal ethics laws, regulations, and standards of conduct, including advising on conflicts of interest, financial disclosure requirements, post-employment restrictions, the Hatch Act, or related authorities applicable to federal employees or officials; Reviewing financial disclosure reports and performing conflicts-of-interest analyses for federal employees or officials, including assessing recusal obligations and recommending mitigation measures; Providing legal analysis, advice, and/or guidance on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, Federal Records Act, or related federal information access and privacy laws, including reviewing and processing requests, applying statutory exemptions or exceptions, and drafting or reviewing agency responses or policies; Performing legal analysis and providing counsel on general administrative law matters, such as the Administrative Procedure Act, fiscal law, procurement law, or other statutes and regulations governing the day-to-day operations of a federal agency; and/or Drafting and reviewing legal memoranda, analyses, opinions, policies, regulations, or correspondence that are subject to statutory, regulatory, or time constraints.

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. Major Duties:

OGC serves as the principal legal advisor to the Agency, providing comprehensive legal guidance to the FCA Chairman, FCA Board, and Agency staff on matters affecting FCA's programs, operations, and administration.

The incumbent Attorney Advisor, under the general supervision of an Assistant General Counsel or the Designated Agency Ethics Official, as applicable, will perform the following duties: Ethics Provides program management for the Agency's ethics program in accordance with 5 C.F.R.

Part 2638, Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, the Agency's supplemental ethics regulations, and related authorities such as the Hatch Act, the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, and 31 U.S.C.

§ 1353.

Reviews public and confidential financial disclosure reports (OGE Forms 278e and 450), conducts conflicts-of-interest analyses with respect to Agency employees' financial interests, and certifies disclosure reports in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Cultivates a culture of ethical compliance by serving as an accessible and responsive resource for ethics related issues for Agency officials and employees.

Provides timely, comprehensive, and practical legal counsel to Agency officials and employees on all aspects of ethical compliance, including conflict-of-interest statutes, Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, the Agency's supplemental ethics regulations, and related authorities such as fiscal law, Hatch Act, Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, and 31 U.S.C.

§ 1353.

Develops, delivers, and coordinates ethics training for Agency employees, supervisors, and senior officials, including annual and new employee training, on applicable ethics laws, regulations, and Agency-specific guidance.

Maintains ethics records in accordance with law and applicable records schedules, and ensures continuity of operations through adherence to knowledge management.

Ensures submission of required reports to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and Department of State.

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Provides legal support for the Agency's compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act of 1974, including but not limited to review and processing of requests, application of FOIA and Privacy Act exceptions, and issuing Agency responses.

Assists in reviewing, drafting, updating, and preparing Agency policies, regulations, and guidance documents relating to FOIA, Privacy Act, and records management, including Federal records schedules, System of Records Notices (SORNs) and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs).

Participates in discussions, meetings, and conferences with program staff and senior officials to ensure proper implementation of information access and privacy statutes and regulations.

Coordinates with the Department of Justice, Office of Management and Budget, National Archives and Records Administration, and other federal agencies on matters related to FOIA, Privacy Act, and records management compliance.

Collaborates with Agency counsel and litigating partners, as needed, in information access and Privacy Act litigation.

General Administrative and Regulatory Law Provides legal analysis and guidance on a broad range of other administrative law matters affecting Agency operations, which may include the Administrative Procedure Act, Federal Records Act, fiscal law, procurement law, Federal Tort Claims Act, and other applicable statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, and Agency policies.

Conducts legal research, analyzes findings, and applies relevant statutes, judicial decisions, administrative regulations, and other legal authorities to provide sound and timely guidance to Agency officials.

Drafts memoranda, legal opinions, policies, regulations, correspondence, and other legal documents in clear, precise, and well-organized form and in a timely manner.

Keeps abreast of legal, legislative, and regulatory developments in areas of responsibility. Performs other related duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above, the Attorney Advisor may provide legal counsel on the Farm Credit Act of 1971 and on questions arising from FCA's policy and regulation development and examination activities.