Attorney Advisor (Senior Counsel)

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as an attorney providing authoritative legal advice and litigation support on complex, high impact matters involving USDA's marketing, food safety, animal welfare, and plant protection programs, and, and performs other legal services as assigned including research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state and local laws, as well as oral and written opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, general litigation support, in support of the agency's mission.

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 (LLB or JD) (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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following additional experience is required.

Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements.

Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Applicants should have demonstrated specialized experience in legal research and writing, providing informal legal advice, reviewing regulations and statutes, and handling litigation.

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

GS-15: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the (GS-14) level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Supervisory General Attorney.

Examples of such experience include: Ability to plan and assign priorities to tasks and assignments to further develop knowledge of complex subject-matter areas.

Works independently to determine methodologies, milestones, goals, and termination points for most assignments.

Completes assignments with an understanding of management requirements and meets organizational objectives. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents.

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 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:

• Serves as a senior attorney providing authoritative legal advice, technical expertise and litigation support on complex, high-impact matters, particularly matters involving food safety and public health.
• Develops and advises on litigation strategy for complex cases coordinating closely with the Department of Justice.
• Advises senior leadership on litigation risk.
• Provides expert legal counsel on administrative law, regulatory review and statutory interpretation.
• Shares legal knowledge and expertise with colleagues and clients through training, mentoring or other tools.
• Exercises substantial independent judgment on matters of national importance with minimal supervision.