Job Overview
Summary
This
position is located in the Natural Resources and Environment Division (NRED) of
the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Department of Agriculture. NRED
provides legal counsel, advice and services to the Forest Service and Natural
Resources Conservation Service with regard to natural resource and
environmental law. The primary purpose of this position is to provide
professional legal services to these agencies with regard to mineral and mining
law, special use permit administration, and water law.
USDA
provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development,
nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available
science, and efficient management. Our vision is to expand economic
opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote
agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while
also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our
Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and
healthy private working lands.
The Office
of the General Counsel (OGC) is an independent legal agency within the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Attorneys in the Office of the
General Counsel provide legal advice and services to the Secretary of
Agriculture and all other officials and agencies of the Department with respect
to all USDA programs and activities. The primary purpose of the position
is to provide professional legal services to major components of USDA and its
agencies within the geographic area of the assigned office.
Duties
Conducting legal
research and advising agency officials and OGC attorneys on complex legal
questions, preparing pleadings, motions, briefs and other related documents,
determining the nature of action along with the legal issues involved and the
most effective course of action and the most advantageous legal strategies.
Advising
USDA agency officials and other OGC attorneys on complex legal questions or
factual issues and recommending final action on many matters regarding
litigation.
Serving as a
liaison between the U.S. Attorney's Offices or Department of Justice and USDA
agencies and officials.
Conducting extensive
research to ensure any advice is based on a sound understanding of
relevant facts and law, anticipating significant foreseeable consequences of
advice and recommended actions to ensure that decisions made and actions taken
are practical, effective, legally sound and supportable.
Reviewing
certain agency reports, documents, and policy statements for legal sufficiency;
conducting all legal research related to the above matters; and acting as a
legal advisor to the administrative officials of the Department.
Negotiating with
highly skilled and knowledgeable opposing counsel while acting within the
parameters of delegated authority consistent with statutory authority and
agency policy and objectives.
Planning,
organizing, and conducting independent activities required in furnishing the
legal services assigned.
Performing
legal services in areas pertaining to the application of the complex United
States mineral laws to various categories of National Forest System lands, the
assessment of rights created by mining claims, mineral leases, and mineral
sales contracts, the regulation of operations on mining claims, the
authorization of mineral leasing and regulation of off-lease access and
facilities, the withdrawal of land from the United States mineral laws, the
authorization and regulation of oil and gas pipelines, the issuance and
administration of discretionary permits authorizing other uses of National
Forest System lands, and general administrative law.
Developing
expertise in the minerals, special use permit administration, and water law
practice areas and providing training to clients as needed.
Drafting of
legal opinions, memoranda and regulations related to federal mineral laws and
related topics.
Job Requirements
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE
Applicants should have demonstrated experience in legal research, and have excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong academic record.
USDA handles a wide array of legal issues impacting all facets of the practice of law with the federal government and programs operated by USDA. Examples include work on commercial matters such as financing and securing loans touching on commercial lending, bankruptcy and foreclosure issues; personnel issues involving claims of discrimination; agriculture matters involving programs operated by USDA; and contract claims involving the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Applicants should have demonstrated experience in legal research, and have excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong academic record.
USDA handles a wide array of legal issues impacting all facets of the practice of law with the federal government and programs operated by USDA. Examples include work on commercial matters such as financing and securing loans touching on commercial lending, bankruptcy and foreclosure issues; personnel issues involving claims of discrimination; agriculture matters involving programs operated by USDA; and contract claims involving the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
EDUCATION
Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD) at time of entry on duty.
Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD) at time of entry on duty.
Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be either a
member, (either active or inactive), in good standing of the bar or be a
candidate for admission to the bar of a state, territory of the United States,
District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Selectee must have an active bar license at time of entry on duty.
Job Announcement Number: AG-OGC-2016-0203