Attorney Advisor (Senior Counsel)

Summary The incumbent serves as Senior Counsel in the International Affairs, Food Assistance and Farm and Rural Programs Division providing expert legal advice and services on a centralized basis to the Secretary of Agriculture and focuses on representing the Foreign Agricultural Service. The Senior Counsel provides professional leadership and expert legal services for USDA practice areas or programs that specialize in trade policy and exports of U.S. agricultural products. Responsibilities Lead a team of attorneys in trade law and foreign agricultural affairs to provide legal services to Department agencies, including the Foreign Agricultural Service Represent the USDA in international disputes under various authorities, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and World Trade Organization agreements. Represent the client Agency in administrative proceedings, judicial litigation, and international negotiations, disputes, arbitrations, and represent the client Agency and USDA in interactions with other Federal agencies. Provide expert advice and assistance and leadership for representation of the Department with the United States Trade Representative, Department of State, Office of Management and Budget, Department of Justice, and Congressional committees. Independently draft legal documents including briefs, memorandums, and reports that describe and analyze complex trade and foreign agricultural affairs issues. Partner with USDA agencies to assess their goals and objectives and provide counsel on legal sufficiency of potential solutions. Lead legal teams on integrating best practices; enabling legal counsel on legal matters; providing litigation support to a variety of clients; and rendering actionable advice to senior USDA legal and non-legal leaders. Mentor junior attorneys in subject matter areas of practice. Provide training to OGC and agency client personnel in areas of practice. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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 (J.D. or equivalent) (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 Applicants should have demonstrated specialized experience in trade policy, legal research, excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong academic record. This experience should be clearly documented in the cover letter and resume. GS-15: One year of specialized experience in trade and foreign agricultural affairs, 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 Senior Counsel. Examples of such experience include: Mastery, knowledge, and a comprehensive understanding of trade policy. 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. Education Education: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree (J.D.) (law school transcript required). Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above requirements (education and bar membership). Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified". Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Bar Membership: Applicant must 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. Narrative: You must submit a written statement, in your cover letter or in a separate document, explaining your interest in working for USDA's Office of the General Counsel, and noting any relevant course work, training, or prior experience that you believe should be considered in evaluating your application. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information This is a bargaining unit designated position. This position is represented by AFGE, Local 1106. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Relocation expenses are not authorized. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.