Summary
This position is designated as SES, General. USDA structures its SES positions into position levels. This is a position level 1 with a salary range of $192,332 to $204,121 per year. Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards. Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/ for additional information and benefits for SES employees.
Duties
Serves as Assistant General Counsel for the Natural Resources and Environment Division and is responsible for the general supervision of the Division.
Provides direction, legal advice and litigation support for all natural resources litigation matters arising under Forest Service and other USDA programs and activities.
Prepares legal advice, memoranda, and opinions concerning USDA natural resources and conservation programs and environmental law matters.
Reviews regulations, policies, and directives concerning USDA natural resources and conservation programs.
Provides direction and supervision of legal work arising under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and other environmental laws affecting USDA programs.
Supervises and directs all legal work under statutes and regulations applying to USDA natural resources and conservation programs.
Serves as chief legal counsel on controversial, complicated, or precedent-setting matters which may involve working with top officials in the Office of the Secretary and their counterparts in other agencies.
Supervises a staff of attorneys and support personnel and coordinates nationwide with natural resources attorneys and professionals in other Departments and USDA offices in connection with performance of all such duties.
Education
A professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school. Law school transcript required AND active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable). Your application will be rated and ranked by a review board using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their resume sufficient possession of the ECQs & TQs will be determined to be ineligible for further consideration. Unless you have already been certified by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) in the past, you must be certified by a QRB after selection and before appointment can occur. Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13002053