Attorney Advisor

Basic Qualification RequirementsApplicants must be law school graduates with LL.B. or J.D. degrees AND must be an active member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.

To qualify for a GS-12 applicants must possess at least 2-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; To qualify for a GS-13 applicants must possess at least 3-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; To qualify for a GS-14 applicants must possess at least 4.5-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; For any of the grades indicated above you can substitute one year of experience with any of the following: --Have a second professional law degree; OR --Meet any of the criteria indicated below: 1. academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class; 2. graduation with academic honors; 3. significant participation on the law school's law review; 4. significant participation in the law school's moot court competition; 5. significant participation in a clinical legal aid program;6. significant summer law office clerk experience; or7. other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement.

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.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website :https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

As an Attorney-Advisor with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Rocky Mountain Region, Billings Field Office, your specific duties will include: The position involves legal research, analysis, advice and representation to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other officials of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) regarding the multiple use missions of the BLM and its associated district and field offices.

The BLM manages public lands and minerals for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. BLM also provides assistance to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and regulates some mineral operations on mineral estates held in trust or restricted status. The position will include representing BLM in administrative hearings or appeals. It will also include assisting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in defending BLM's regulations and other decisions.

Requires cooperative and productive interactions with officials and staff of the BLM; officials and staff of other bureaus of DOI; other attorneys within the Solicitor's Office, attorneys in DOJ, including attorneys in the offices of the U.S. Attorneys; officials and attorneys in other Federal agencies; and State, local, or tribal officials. There will also be interactions with attorneys and others representing non-governmental interests.

The position will require possession or development of detailed familiarity with such laws as: the Administrative Procedure Act; the National Environmental Policy Act; the Federal Land Policy and Management Act; the various minerals statutes, including the Mineral Leasing Act, the Mining Law of 1872; the Materials Act; the National Historic Preservation Act; the Taylor Grazing Act; Wild Horse and Burro Act; and the Endangered Species Act.

Providing written and oral opinions on Federal Administrative Law topics, including Fiscal/Appropriations Law, Administrative Procedure Act, agency delegations and authority, partnerships with non-public entities, and similar topics. Advising BLM on very complex legal matters; advising and counseling BLM's leadership and program managers with respect to recommended course(s) of action.

Conducting legal research and analysis and developing recommendations; responding to questions, counseling client agencies, opposing counsel and administrative appeal bodies regarding interpretation of statues, laws and regulations. The position will also include assisting the Solicitor's office and BLM with compliance with other statutes, such as the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Salary Range Information (Per Annum): *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. Denver: GS-12: $99,800.00 - $129,742.00 GS-13: $118,675.00 - $154,280.00 GS-14: $140,239.00 - $182,316.00 Billings: GS-12: $89,508.00 - $116,362.00 GS-13: $106,437.00 - $138,370.00 GS-14: $125,776.00 - $163,514.00