Attorney Advisor (General)

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as an Attorney Advisor in the International Affairs, Food Assistance and Farm and Rural Programs Division providing legal advice and services to the Secretary of Agriculture and to other officials and agencies of USDA with respect to USDA programs and activities.

This position provides legal services on federal food and nutrition programs with responsibility for advising on complex statutory, regulatory, administrative, and litigation matters affecting agency programs.

For consideration, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for attorney positions: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (J.D.

or equivalent degree) (Law School transcript required); AND Currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE Applicants should have at least two (2) years of litigation experience with demonstrated progressive responsibility for collaboration on case strategy, representing a client in federal court, and assisting in managing of all phases of litigation.

This experience should be clearly documented in the cover letter and resume.

GS-13: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the (GS-12) level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform as an Attorney Advisor.

Examples of such experience include: Providing professional legal services to major components of an agency or organization; Knowledge of the principles and techniques of legal analysis and practice in order to (1) prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents (2) determine nature of legal issues involved; and (3) effectively represent agencies or organizations; Thorough knowledge of activities and program initiatives of agencies or organizations to provide timely and relevant legal advice regarding program operations to management officials and to expertly represent clients in negotiations and legal proceedings.

The duties listed below are described at the FPL GS-14, the GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 are developmental leading to such performance.

Mastery of statutes, regulations, and legal precedents related to major USDA program areas or relevant subject matter expertise to provide expert legal advice in regard to the assigned program area, develop or recommend litigation strategies and procedures, aid the Department of Justice in the trial of important or precedent-setting cases, and negotiate or participate in negotiating settlements on behalf of the Department Mastery of a large and complex body of law in which precedents are frequently conflicting or non-existent to make determinations and reach conclusions which guide the Department or the Agency in resolving subsequent, similar problems; provide legal advice to heads of programs and Agencies on complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues; and write opinions and case assessment memoranda after conducting detailed factual and legal research Mastery of the principles and techniques of legal analysis and practice in order to prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents in connection with suits by and against the Government and determine in each case the nature of action or defense, the legal issues involved, the most effective course of action, and optimal strategies and tactics to be employed.

Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of missions and functions of the USDA and its agencies or relevant subject matter expertise, as appropriate in order to provide legal services in support of USDA programs and activities that are consistent with the strategic goals of USDA and the priorities of the Secretary of Agriculture.

Mastery of the principles and techniques of written and oral communication to speak and write with clarity and tact to provide guidance on complex legal issues, secure acceptance of recommendations, prepare complex legal opinions, and effectively represent the Department in a variety of external interactions.

NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents. Major Duties:

• Serves as an attorney-advisor providing legal advice and litigation support on complex, high-impact matters involving the federal food and nutrition programs.
• Researches, analyzes, and applies statutory and regulatory authorities and case law to advise client agencies.
• Assists in the development and review of regulations, policy guidance, contracts, and agreements.
• Provides litigation support to senior attorneys and the Department of Justice.
• Works under the guidance of senior attorneys on novel, precedent setting, high-visibility matters, while exercising independent judgment on routine or moderately complex assignments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.