Sunday, December 22, 2013

Position: Assistant Legal Advisor, Department of State, Washington, DC (Deadline Jan. 2, 2014)

An rare opportunity to join the State Dept. Legal Advisor office at a senior level, as this appears to be a Senior Executive Service position.


Job Title:Assistant Legal Adviser
Department:Department Of State
Agency:Department of State - Agency Wide
Job Announcement Number:CSHRM-2014-0002
SALARY RANGE:
$119,554.00 to $179,700.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, December 18, 2013 to Thursday, January 02, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:
ES-0905-00
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time - Permanent
DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy - District of Columbia, DC View Map

WHO MAY APPLY:
·         All groups of qualified individuals.
·         Noncompetitive (Current career SES, QRB certified graduates of SES candidate development programs and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility)
"You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not get full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined."
SECURITY CLEARANCE:
Top Secret
SUPERVISORY STATUS:
Yes
JOB SUMMARY:
This position is located in the Office of the Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs (L/T). The Assistant Legal Adviser provides client bureaus and principal officers of the Department with legal advice and services on matters of particular importance to the United States foreign policy interests. As necessary, the incumbent will also provide legal advice and services and participates with the Legal Adviser, Deputy Legal Advisers, the principals of the client bureaus, and other ranking policy officers of the U.S. Government in overall formulation and program planning and in consideration and development of basic policies. Persons selected for initial appointment to the career Senior Executive Service must have their Executive Core Qualifications certified by an Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board prior to appointment and will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Veterans Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service (SES).
 
TRAVEL REQUIRED       
·         Occasional Travel
·         Overseas travel is required.
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
·         No
KEY REQUIREMENTS
·         U.S. Citizenship is required.
·         Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret 
security clearance.
·         Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
·         Relocation expenses will NOT be paid.
·         Requires a financial disclosure statement, SF-
278.
·         One year probationary period, unless excepted by 
regulation.

DUTIES:
The incumbent is primarily responsible for managing the Office of Treaty Affairs which includes attorneys and support staff, and insuring that timely and relevant legal advice, reflecting the exercise of sound professional judgement, is rendered with respect to matters within areas of responsibility.  The incumbent is responsible for all legal aspects, including matters of international, foreign law, and domestic law as well as the evolution of law in unprecedented situations in the conduct of United States foreign relations with other countries and in connection with its relations with international organizations and operations of those organization. Provides legal advice to other offices under the Legal Adviser, other Department Bureaus (including post overseas), and other government agencies on all aspects of treaty law and procedure, including constitutional questions, drafting, negotiation, conclusion, interpretation, and termination of treaties. 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications (last five questions). All applicants must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Technical Qualification questions in order to receive consideration for the position. To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements available on the Office of Personnel Management's website please click here. When responding to the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the Technical Qualifications and the Executive Core Qualifications. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. You should limit your narrative to two pages per Mandatory Technical Qualification and Executive Core Qualification. Applicants who use "see resume" as a response will not receive consideration for the position. For this position applicants must address the following mandatory technical qualifications: - Knowledge of international and domestic law applicable to the conduct of foreign relations. - Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally to advocate complex legal matters arising in the activities of large public or private organizations. If you do not possess the mandatory technical qualifications described above, you may be considered ineligible for this position.   


In addition to demonstrating executive level managerial capability as described in the Mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualifications. Candidates must possess a J.D. or higher degree from a recognized law school and be licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state or territory of the U.S., District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, plus possess extensive international law experience at the GS-15 level which meets the following mandatory technical requirements:

- Knowledge of international and domestic law applicable to the conduct of foreign relations.

- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally to advocate complex legal matters arising in the activities of large public or private organizations.
This position is a drug-testing designated position subject to random testing for illegal drug use. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's completion and favorable adjudication of a background security investigation. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
 
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applicants will be evaluated by a Qualifications Review Panel of senior officials. The Panel will rate applicants on the basis of the quality and extent of total accomplishments, experience and education. The Panel will determine the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the mandatory technical requirements of the position and the Mandatory Executive Core Qualification requirements. Among the factors the evaluation panel will consider in determining the applicant's relative capacity and fitness for the position are education, training, experience and demonstrated executive level qualifications. The Panel will rate your application against each of the Mandatory Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications to determine the best qualified candidates. Candidates determined to be best qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration for the position. 
To preview questions please
 click here.

BENEFITS:



OTHER INFORMATION:
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name.  As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.  Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Employee Relations, Disability/Reasonable Accommodations Division, at (202) 261-8163 or reasonableaccommodations@state.gov.  The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must submit an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. Information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all applicants. The information you provide and your Federal resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Department of State's Gateway to State application system when you apply on-line. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following three-step application process: STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions provided. WHEN COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE RESUME DO NOT CONVERT IT TO THE SES RESUME FORMAT. STEP 2: Answer the mandatory technical and executive core qualifications. These questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this job. Review your resume to make certain that it supports your responses to the user information questions and the mandatory technical and executive core qualifications. STEP 3: Submit all required documentation listed in the required documents section of this announcement to our automated system "Gateway to State" prior to the closing date of the announcement. Technical assistance with your on-line application can be obtained by contacting the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com OR by calling (866) 656-6830 or (703) 269-4944 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. For instructions on how to view the status of your supporting documentation, please click here NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources Office no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern Standard time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
If you are currently serving under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the career SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit proof of non-competitive eligibility i.e., conversion to career SES SF-50 or SES Certificate.
You must submit proof of current bar membership which may include a copy of the bar membership card or registration for the bar membership. Applicants who do not submit proof of bar membership will lose consideration for this position.
You must attach a copy of a SF-50 "Notice of Personnel Action" that verifies status or eligibility. If the SF-50 is not attached then you may lose consideration.
All required documents must be submitted to our
 automated system "Gateway to State" prior to the closing date of this announcement which is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. See Step 3 under "How to Apply."
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
CSHRM/ERPM
Phone: 202-663-2138
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: ERPMSES@state.gov
Agency Information:
U.S. Department of State
2401 E Street, N.W.
Room H-1104
Washington, DC
20520
US
Fax: 000-000-0000
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After all application packages have been received, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  After we review and evaluate all applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.  After a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and or security background investigation.

You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:

1. Upon receipt of your application.
2. Upon minimum qualification determinations.
 
3. After the certificate is issued.
 
4. After final selection is made.


Position: Attorney (General, Natural Resources Section), NOAA, Washington, DC (Deadline: Dec. 27, 2013)

Job Title:        Attorney-Advisor, (General) Natural Resources Section, GS-0905-13, 14, 15
Department: Department Of Commerce
Agency:         National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Job Announcement Number:        SO-OGC-2014-0002
SALARY RANGE:       $89,033.00 to $155,500.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:         Thursday, December 05, 2013 to Friday, December 27, 2013
SERIES & GRADE:    GS-0905-13/15
POSITION INFORMATION:                        Excepted Service Appointment - Full-Time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
15
DUTY LOCATIONS:  1 vacancy in the following location:
Silver Spring, MD

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 (NOAA) Office of the General Counsel (OGC).  The NOAA Office of General Counsel employs approximately 110 attorneys at headquarters in the Washington, DC area and in six regional sections.  The Office provides legal advice to the NOAA Administrator and NOAA program offices on a wide variety of legal issues including U.S. and International fisheries, marine mammals, and licensing of commercial satellites.  NOAA is a premier 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 http://www.noaa.gov/.  
An opportunity is available to be part of a team of attorneys with the NOAA Office of the General Counsel's Natural Resources Section in Silver Spring, MD.  The Natural Resources Section provides legal guidance concerning NOAA's natural resource trustee responsibilities to the Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) (part of the National Ocean Service) and the Restoration Center (part of the National Marine Fisheries Service).  NOAA is a natural resource trustee pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA).  As a natural resource trustee, NOAA is responsible for accessing injuries to NOAA trust resources caused by the release of hazardous substances, the discharge of oil and/or physical impacts (e.g., vessel groundings in national marine sanctuaries) and seeking compensation from parties responsible for those injuries to natural resources.  This area of work is significant to NOAA'S mission of conserving and managing coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation's environmental needs.
The attorney will be based in Silver Spring, MD.  The NOAA General Counsel's Office, Natural Resources Section has 17 attorneys, and two support staff, located in Silver Spring, MD, St. Petersburg, FL, Gloucester, MA and Long, Beach, CA.  For more information see http://www.gc.noaa.gov/.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
·         Applicant must successfully complete a background security investigation.
·         Overnight domestic or foreign travel may be required.
·         Position is in the excepted service.
·         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.

DUTIES:
Duties include representing NOAA in matters relating to its natural resource trustee responsibilities under CERCLA, OPA and the NMSA and their implementing regulations and developing damage claims under those authorities. The position involves working with a team of NOAA scientists, natural resource economists and restoration experts to access the extent of injuries to NOAA trust impacts (within natural marine sanctuaries) and determine the types and amount of restoration necessary to address those injuries.  The workload of the attorney may include cases on both coasts of the county.  The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, assisting in the development of injury assessment work and the planning and implementation of early restoration projects including review of documents for OPA, CERCLA, NMSA and NEPA compliance; representing NOAA as a legal advisor at trustee meetings; and assisting with assessment study and restoration project specific legal issues such as chain of custody, document reservation requirements, memoranda of understanding, cost documentation, access agreements, easements, etc.  The NOAA attorney would work closely with the U.S. Department of Justice, other federal and state natural resource trustees, NGOs, state and industry representative.  The NOAA attorney must take into account U.S. and NOAA policies during the development of the damage claim and the implementation of natural resource restoration.
Please do not apply to this position through USAJobs.  All documentation must be sent to GCNaturalResources.vacancy@noaa.gov for further consideration.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
NOAA prefers applicants with experience working with federal environmental and conservation statutes.


You must have a J.D. degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association.
NOAA seeks attorneys who have practiced law a minimum of four years with knowledge of federal environmental statutes and conservation laws, as well as laws and regulations governing Federal agencies, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.  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 manage large projects independently, assimilate large amounts of materials quickly, balance a large and diverse workload, and work effectively in a team with 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) or experience practicing environmental law will be favorably considered.
Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school, and be an active member of a state bar or the bar of the District of Columbia.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens to qualify for this position.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
For more information about the qualifications requirements for this: 
 http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-position: standards/0900/general-attorney-series-0905/
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applications will be evaluated based on the Qualifications described below. 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 DD Form-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

To preview questions please
 click here.

BENEFITS:
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:
Relocation or moving expenses will not be reimbursed.
NOAA participates in e-Verify.  E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
Applicants please send your application material only to the email address:
GCNaturalResources.vacancy@noaa.gov
 or by mail to Ocatavia Saine, Executive Officer, NOAA Office of the General Counsel, Herbert C. Hoover Office Building, 14th & Constitution Ave NW, Suite A100, Washington, DC 20230.
 

HOW TO APPLY:
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, 14th & Constitution Ave., NW, Suite A100, Washington, DC or by e-mail to: GCNaturalResources.vacancy@noaa.gov
Applications must be emailed or postmarked
 by December 27, 2013 Please email your application material to the email address or mailing address provided in this vacancy announcement.  


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. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial 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/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for 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: 202-482-4080
 
Fax: 202-482-4893
Email: Octavia.saine@noaa.gov
Agency Information:
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
Department of Commerce, NOAA, OGC
14th & Constitution Ave, NW
Suite A100, Room A123
Washington, DC
20230
US
Fax: 202-482-4893
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.