Attorney Advisor_

Atlanta

Summary The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of the Chief Counsel, is responsible for rendering legal services and furnishing legal advice on all areas of FHWA programs responsibility. The Attorney-Advisor will serve as a member of the Office of the Chief Counsel, South Field Legal Services, Atlanta, GA. Responsibilities As an Attorney-Advisor, the successful candidate for this position will be responsible for rendering legal services and furnishing legal advice on aspects of all areas of Division responsibility, with an emphasis on environmental and infrastructure issues. Such legal services and advice significantly affect policy of the programs of the agency. The legal services are delivered in a highly interactive, fast-paced environment, and often on short timelines. The functions of South Field Legal Services Division include, but are not limited to: Planning, Environment, and Realty: Provides legal services as to matters related to statewide and regional transportation planning. Provides legal services in connection with environmental, social, and economic aspects of FHWA’s programs, and the application of environmental laws to those programs. Provides legal services relative to highway beautification, land acquisition, land use, condemnation, control of rights of way, airspace utilization, and relocation assistance. Infrastructure and Civil Rights: Provides legal services in connection with contract matters and compliance with Federal civil rights laws, disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) programs, and Federal labor requirements on Federal-aid highway projects. Provides legal services in connection with toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries. Provides legal advice and services related to current and innovative financing of highway projects, and public/private partnerships (PPPs). Provides legal services associated with Federal-aid suspensions and debarments, and infrastructure related Federal tort matters (including assistance to counsel located in the field). Provides legal services in connection with the Emergency Relief Program. Fiscal Matters: Provides legal assistance regarding determinations of eligibility for Federal funding, authorizations, Federal-aid apportionments, limitations, and related external budgetary and fiscal matters. Environmental and Other Litigation: Provides legal services in connection with litigation involving planning, environment, real estate, infrastructure, DBE, civil rights, and other external matters. Assists field counsel, Department of Justice, DOT Office of General Counsel, and State attorneys when appropriate. Safety and Operations: Provides legal advice and services related to Federal aid highway safety programs, such as the Hazard Elimination Program, the Highway/Rail Safety Crossing Program, and those safety programs jointly administered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including the review of the States compliance with Federal requirements. Provides legal advice and services related to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and truck size and weight limits. Other Matters: Provides legal advice and services related to other matters which are assigned by the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel, or Assistant Chief Counsel. The ideal candidate for this position is an individual with excellent legal research and writing skills, who can handle and prioritize multiple competing tasks and a diverse workload while maintaining collegial working relationships. This individual has a demonstrated interest in, and work experience related to environmental and infrastructure issues. The ideal candidate will provide a cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining his/her specific interest in this position and highlighting his/her relevant work experience regarding environmental and infrastructure issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for consideration. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. This is an Excepted Service position. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period. ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263. TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. Qualifications To qualify, you must have experience and education equal or equivalent to the following: GRADE 11 - A law degree (J.D.) and bar membership in good standing. GRADE 12 - A law degree (J.D.), bar membership in good standing, AND one of the following: A second law degree (LL.M) and at least one (1) year of professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature; OR At least two (2) years of professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Administrative Law: Knowledge of state and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements. Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. 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. All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Additional Information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation