Position: Attorney-Advisor, (General) Fisheries & Protected Resources, NOAA Office of General Counsel (Deadline (Nov. 6, 2013)

Job Title:Attorney-Advisor, (General) Fisheries & Protected Resources, GS-0905 - 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Department:Department Of Commerce

Agency:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Job Announcement Number:SO-OGC-2013-0012

SALARY RANGE:	$62,467.00 to $155,500.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Wednesday, September 25, 2013 to Wednesday, November 06, 2013
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0905-11/15
POSITION INFORMATION:	Excepted Service Position - Full-time
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 15
DUTY LOCATIONS:	2 vacancies in the following location: Silver Spring, MD View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	All qualified United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

Unlock secrets in deep oceans, track rapidly moving storms, operate state-of-the-art environmental satellites, chart the Nation's waterways, formulate models to forecast climate trends, protect and preserve our living marine resources...it's all in a day's work at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)! Join a dedicated workforce committed to a vital mission: safeguarding the public, protecting natural resources, strengthening the economy. A career that makes a world of difference!

An extraordinary opportunity is available to serve as an attorney advisor in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of the General Counsel.  The NOAA Office of the General Counsel employs approximately 110 attorneys at headquarters in the Washington, DC area and in six regional sections.  The Office provides legal advice to NOAA Administrator and NOAA program offices on a wide variety of legal issues including U.S. and International fisheries, marine mammals, endangered and threatened marine  species, preservation of coastal areas, marine sanctuaries, and licensing of commercial satellites.  NOAA is a premiere environmental agency located within the Department of Commerce and employs over 12,000 people nationwide. The agency's mission is to conserve  and manage coastal and marine resources and to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment to meet the Nation's economic, social and environmental needs. For more information see www.noaa.gov.
NOTE: Salary Range
GS-11 $ 62,467.00  -  $ 81,204.0
GS-12 $ 74,872.00  -  $ 97,333.00
GS-13 $ 89,033.00  -  $115,742.00
GS-14 $105,211.00 -  $136,771.00
GS-15 $123,758.00 -  $155,500.00

KEY REQUIREMENTS

·         Applicant must successfully complete a background security investigation.

·         Position may require overnight domestic or foreign travel.

·         Position is in excepted service. Relocation expenses are not authorized.

·         Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable. www.sss.gov.

·         Applicant must complete a one year probation period.

·         Applicant must be a US citizen to qualify for this position.

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DUTIES:

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As an attorney-advisor in the Fisheries and Protected Resources Section, you will work closely with experienced biologists and fishery managers; In, among other things, developing and reviewing regulations, permits, and policies relating to the management and conservation of marine resources. The position requires interaction with other NOAA General Counsel Office attorneys, scientists, policy makers and technical staff, Department of Commerce officials, other Federal and state agency officials, members of the regulated community, and representatives of public interest organization.  It also involves active participation; In concert with U.S. Department of Justice attorneys, in defending NOAA in cases brought under  the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection  Act or the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other similar laws.

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QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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Applicants must meet all Requirements  (including Key Requirements) described above by the closing date of this announcement.  Please do not apply to this position through USAJobs.  All documents must be sent to: GCFisheriesandProtectedResources.vacancy@noaa.gov 

Applicants must have a J.D. degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association.

Applicants must have knowledge of or experience working with federal environmental or natural resources laws, or similarly complex federal statutory schemes, as well as laws and regulations governing Federal agencies, such as the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Freedom of Information Act or other generally applicable federal laws.  Knowledge of or experience working with the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act will be favorably considered.  Demonstrated interest in issues related natural resource conservation or the environment  will also be favorably considered.
Applicants must  have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and to identify  and resolve complex legal issues. Applicants also must demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team with clients, other attorneys, and support staff.  Significant academic achievement in law school (such as graduation in top third of class, graduation with honors, judicial clerking experience, or participation in moot court or law review) will be favorably considered.
Applicant must be an active member in good standing of a state bar or the District of Columbia.
For more information about the Requirements for these positions:http://www.opm.govjpolicy-data­oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-position: standards/0900/general­ attorney-series-0905/

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Applicants will be evaluated based on the Requirements (including Key Requirements) described above.  Please be advised that NOAA Attorney positions are in the Excepted Service.  As such, these positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures. There is no numerical rating system through which to apply veterans preference; however, the NOAA Office of the General Counsel considers veterans preference eligibility as a positive factor in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans preference are encouraged to include that Information in their cover letter or resume, and to attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DO Form-214 or other substantiating  documents) to their submissions.
To preview questions please click here.

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BENEFITS:

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NOAA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc

OTHER INFORMATION:

NOAA GC will not pay relocation expenses or moving costs. 

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HOW TO APPLY:

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Application may be made by sending a resume, and cover letter to Octavia Saine, NOAA Office of the General Counsel, Herbert C. Hoover Office Building, 14^th & Constitution Ave., NW, Suite A100, Washington, DC or by e-mail to: GCFisheriesandProtectedResources.vacancy@noaa.gov
Applications must be emailed or received by November 6, 2013.  Please email your application material to the email address or mailing address provided in this vacancy announcement.   Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

A complete application consists of the following: *Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional.  Your resume must indicate your citizenship, and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.  Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates {mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. For work In the  Federal Service, please Include the grade level for the position(s). *Education.  Prior to receiving a formal offer, you will be asked to submit an official law school transcript  or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicatlonOfStds-04.aspfor more information. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities  in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient  evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - http://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills.html#foreign-credential. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Octavia G. Saine
Phone: 202-482-0743
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: octavia.saine@noaa.gov

Agency Information:
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
NOAA, OGC, Fisheries & Protected Resources Section
Herbert C. Hoover Office Bldg, Ste A100
14th & Consitution Ave NW
Washington, DC
20910
US
Fax: 000-000-0000

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Applicants will not be notified that their application has been received. Interviews may be arranged at the discretion of NOAA for those subject to further consideration based upon qualifications.