Position: Environmental Justice Project Attorney, NRDC-Chicago (Deadline: rolling/unknown, Chicago, IL)

Position has been available, but just got re-posted (so still open).

https://nrdc-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=396&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=992280&company_id=16427&version=1&byBusinessUnit=NULL&bycountry=1&bystate=1&byRegion=US_IL&bylocation=US&keywords=&byCat=&proximityCountry=&postalCode=&radiusDistance=&isKilometers=&tosearch=yes

Environmental Justice Project Attorney

Tracking Code

396-427

Job Description

The Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC) is a leading nonprofit environmental group with more than 1.2 million members and online activists. We have offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Montana, and Beijing, and a staff of nearly 450 including lawyers, scientists, and policy analysts, all working to protect the environment and public health.

Job Description:

NRDC is now accepting applications for an Environmental Justice Project Attorney position in its Midwest office, located in Chicago. NRDC’s environmental justice program is committed to partnering with and fighting for communities, when invited, to hold the government and polluters accountable and to protect the health of our communities from toxic pollution. We accomplish this by providing legal and technical assistance to communities fighting for clean air, clean water, climate justice, and a healthy environment, as well as for environmental benefits such as open space, healthy housing, and access to healthy foods.

NRDC seeks an attorney with 3 to 7 years of experience to work on litigation and policy advocacy to provide legal and technical assistance to environmental justice (EJ) communities around the country, and particularly in the Midwest. The attorney will perform a range of tasks related to developing relationships with communities and working with them to identify opportunities to partner or collaborate on EJ-related issues, including among other things screening and development of potential new EJ litigation.  Specifically, the work may include conducting factual investigations and  legal and policy research; developing and bringing litigation; engaging in advocacy before administrative agencies; attending community meetings; and advocating for the adoption or passage of critical legislation, city ordinances, and government regulations. The attorney will also work closely with other NRDC programs and campaigns to provide assistance in EJ matters.

Qualifications for the position include a strong commitment to EJ and environmental health, experience working with diverse community-based organizations, excellent research skills, excellent oral advocacy skills, an excellent academic record, and a strong work ethic. Knowledge of environmental, civil rights, and administrative laws is a plus. We also value initiative, independence, creative thinking, and the ability to work collegially with others.

The attorney will work under the supervision of attorneys based in Chicago and New York. The candidate must be admitted or eligible for admission to the Illinois Bar. NRDC offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A law graduate with 3 to 7 years of legal, policy and/or administrative advocacy experience.
• Relevant litigation experience, such as a federal court clerkship, is a plus. 
• Excellent strategic judgment and the energy and drive to develop and effectuate challenging campaigns. 
• Experience working with coalitions of community members and community-based organizations.
• Excellent writing, research, analytic and public speaking skills.
• Experience with and/or commitment to environmental justice work, racial justice work, or non-profit lawyering.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and abilities.
• Proficiency in a second language is desirable.

NRDC encourages former federal court clerks and/or individuals with significant litigation, advocacy or community organizing experience who have less than 3 years of experience but meet all other qualifications to apply.

  

Substantive Projects the Attorney May Work on:

• Working to reduce the environmental justice harms that ports, rail yards, distribution centers and other freight transportation facilities have on low-income communities and communities of color.   
• Building campaigns to preserve and expand open space and outdoor recreational opportunities for low-income communities and communities of color.
• Advocating for equitable transit-oriented development.
• Advocating for healthy housing, especially for low-income and people of color residents.
• Advocating for safe and sufficient water and green infrastructure that benefits low-income and people of color communities.
• Serving as a liaison with other NRDC programs and campaigns to identify EJ needs that support cross-program initiatives.
• Working to curb pollution from dirty energy sources and manufacturing facilities near low-income communities and communities of color and to promote clean energy alternatives.
• Working to build coalitions and partnerships on climate justice issues.
• Working to ensure that low-income families benefit from energy efficiency policies.

NRDC is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, NRDC:

• Hires staff that reflects this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities.
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged.
• Ensures that all members of the NRDC community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by environmental inequities.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a dynamic working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.

To apply, please create a profile and upload your resume and cover letter, legal writing sample and three references. Please no phone calls, emails, faxes or in-person resume drop-offs. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are having technical difficulty while applying, please email us at: hr@nrdc.org.

Job Location

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

Fellowship: 2015-2017 Lapham Conservation Fellowship, American Rivers (Deadline: Jan. 5, 2015 Washington, DC)

http://www.americanrivers.org/about/careers/2015-2017-lapham-conservation-fellowship/

2015-2017 Lapham Conservation Fellowship

TITLE: Anthony A. Lapham River Conservation Fellow
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.
DATE: Summer 2015 – Summer 2017
APPLICATIONS DUE: January 5, 2015
ANNUAL STIPEND: $35,000 plus benefits*

POSITION SUMMARY
The Anthony A. Lapham River Conservation Fellowship at American Rivers provides an excellent professional development opportunity for talented post-graduates pursuing careers as leaders in the field of conservation advocacy. Recent graduate degree (MA/MS/PhD/JD/MBA) recipients will focus on an applied research project that will make a tangible contribution to American Rivers’ mission. Working with a team of professional staff, the Fellow will apply practical research and advocacy skills and develop a network of professional contacts in their field of expertise. The Fellow will be an integral part of a dynamic organization comprised of experienced conservationists and emerging leaders, and will participate in a range of river conservation activities.

This fellowship honors the memory of Anthony A. Lapham who served for many years on the board of American Rivers, including as its Chairman. The program reflects his integrity, intellect, concern for humanity and commitment to excellence. We seek candidates who possess these qualities.

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 200,000 members, supporters, and volunteers. American Rivers maintains a positive work environment with a culture of learning, support and balance. For more information please visit www.americanrivers.org.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS
The goals of the Anthony A. Lapham Fellowship Program are to develop the next generation of conservation leaders, and to generate work products that directly support the mission and goals of American Rivers. Advancements in river conservation will be especially important during the coming years due to the extreme pressure on rivers, headwater streams and freshwater supplies brought on by climate change, population growth, and sprawl. We need to develop the next generation of skilled leaders who can promote practical environmental solutions that achieve measurable results for natural and human communities.

The Lapham Fellow will help shape community-oriented solutions to river conservation challenges, educate civic leaders about the benefits of healthy rivers, inform legislative and legal proceedings, and influence opinion leaders. The Fellowship includes the implementation of a project that directly supports the goals of one or more of American Rivers’ conservation programs.

The Fellow will play an important role in implementing American Rivers’ new strategic plan, which names 11 priority river basins where we will focus our work over the next five years. The Fellow’s project will contribute to our efforts in one of our priority basins and fall within one of three categories: (1) sustainably managing our freshwater resources; (2) restoring rivers (through approaches such as dam removal) and achieving natural flood protection by restoring the natural functions of rivers, wetlands and floodplains; or (3) conserving America’s heritage by protecting our remaining free-flowing rivers and connecting communities to their rivers. Projects might include analyses of the contributions of healthy rivers to employment, property values, public health and safety and other community priorities; the impacts of poorly managed rivers on water supply, flooding or public safety; or the potential for certain policy prescriptions or best management practices to contribute to river health. The topics are developed based on the needs of the organization and the interests of the successful Fellowship candidate. The Fellow will publish results in an appropriate format and present their project results to various audiences including American Rivers’ staff. For more information and to view a complete list of the priority river basins, view the application form.

The 24-month Fellowship will be supported by a team of conservation staff and members of our Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, which includes some of the nation’s foremost experts on freshwater conservation science and policy. Conducting an applied research project under the guidance of expert advocates will provide the Fellow with invaluable experience as they begin their career. In general, the first year of the Fellowship is spent researching the decided project, and the second year is spent implementing the project on the ground. Based on the parameters of the project and available resources, there is the potential for opportunities to travel to river basin that is the focus of the project or even to be relocated in the second year.

Fellows will be provided with opportunities for professional experiences unique to Washington, DC, including policy and scientific analysis of federal legislation and proposed rules, lobbying training, participation in meetings with congressional offices and federal agency officials, and attendance at congressional hearings, federal court proceedings, etc. Additionally, Fellows will engage in organizational activities including staff meetings and retreats and National River Cleanup activities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate degree in stream ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, public health, public policy, law, economics, engineering, or related fields
• Dedication to environmental principles
• Extensive research and analysis skills
• High academic achievement
• Proven leadership ability
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• High degree of personal integrity
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both autonomously and as a member of a team in a professional environment
• Ability to travel as necessary

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Completed application form (found here)
• Resume – Description of your work experience (both paid and volunteer) including an outline of each job/responsibilities, contact information for each employer, and dates of employment.
• Transcripts – Official transcripts for all higher education institutions attended must be submitted. We accept unofficial copies of transcripts for the application process, but those contacted for an interview will need to provide original transcripts at that time.
• Letters of Recommendation – Two letters of recommendation are required. You may choose to have faculty members or current/former employers submit these letters. Letters should be sent directly from the recommenders. A Letter of Recommendation Instruction Form can be found at www.americanrivers.org/about/lapham-fellowship and should be provided to all recommenders for guidance in writing the letters.
• Academic Mentor Information – Preference will be given to candidates that identify an academic mentor who will assist during the duration of the Fellowship. Please submit bio of and letter from your academic mentor with your application. Letters should indicate the mentor’s willingness to fulfill the duties of this role. An Academic Mentor Instruction Form can be found at www.americanrivers.org/about/lapham-fellowship and should be provided to your mentor as guidance in writing the letter.
• Personal Statement – Please submit an original essay with your application. The essay should be 2-3 pages in length, no less than 11 point type, at least 1.5 line spacing, typed in Times New Roman font, and have at least 1 inch margins. Your essay should address the following:
  • What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
  • How will this fellowship assist you in accomplishing your goals?
  • How has your academic training/field of study, employment history, and volunteer experience prepared you for this fellowship?
  • What can serve as evidence of your leadership skills and ability?
• Research Project proposal – A two-page proposal outlining your applied research project. For more information about the project areas for the 2015-2017 Fellowship year, go to www.americanrivers.org/about/lapham-fellowship and view the application form.

Only complete applications (letters of recommendation and academic mentor letters can be sent separately) will be reviewed; partial applications will be discarded. For further information about all attachments please refer to the Application Form.

Please submit all materials to lapham@americanrivers.org. Applications can be submitted via mail, but email is preferred. If sending the application by mail, send to:

American Rivers
Anthony A. Lapham River Conservation Fellowship
1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20005

Letters of recommendation and academic mentor letters should be sent via email directly from the recommender/mentor, with the candidate’s full name in the subject line. Recommenders/Mentors can also send letters via mail, but the letter must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with their signature across the seal. Please provide the letter of recommendation and academic mentor instructional sheets to the appropriate parties.

Application Deadline: 11:59 pm EST January 5, 2015

*Anthony A. Lapham River Conservation Fellows are eligible for health, dental and vision insurance as well as generous leave benefits.

American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

About American Rivers

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 200,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers, and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

- See more at: http://www.americanrivers.org/about/careers/2015-2017-lapham-conservation-fellowship/#sthash.Sgss7mJZ.dpuf

Internship: Legal Intern for Summer 2015, NRDC (Deadline: Jan. 16, 2015 for 1Ls, various offices, including San Francisco)

https://nrdc-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=364&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=992512&company_id=16427&version=1&byBusinessUnit=&bycountry=&bystate=&byRegion=&bylocation=&keywords=&byCat=&proximityCountry=&postalCode=&radiusDistance=&isKilometers=&tosearch=no

Summer Legal Intern 2015

Tracking Code

364-427

Job Description

NRDC is a leading nonprofit membership organization that has been marshaling science and the law to protect the environment and public health since 1970. Our more than 1.3 million members and activists reside in each of the United States and in the District of Columbia. NRDC employs over 400 scientists, lawyers, economists, media specialists, policy analysts, and administrators in its six offices, including in China. Within each of the organization’s program areas – air, water, oceans, public health, climate change, energy, public land, smart growth, international, urban, environmental justice, and nuclear non-proliferation – NRDC’s experts pursue cutting-edge litigation, sophisticated lobbying, hard-hitting scientific research, and broad-reaching public education. For over 40 years, NRDC has played a central role in crafting, implementing, enforcing, and defending virtually all of the nation’s environmental laws.

LANDMARK NRDC VICTORIES

• litigation that led to the phasing-out of lead in U.S. gasoline;
• a litigation settlement with the Port of Los Angeles for massive reductions in harmful air pollution;
• a court order overturning the Department of Energy’s attempt to avoid cleaning up high-level radioactive waste;
• groundbreaking civil action against the nation’s biggest air polluters for their contributions to climate change;
• enjoining construction of a salt mine near the last pristine Gray Whale breeding ground;helping to create far-reaching new energy efficiency standards in China; and
• aiding in implementing new federal rules to dramatically reduce air pollution from diesel engines.

SUMMER LEGAL INTERN EXPERIENCE AT NRDC 

NRDC’s summer legal interns may participate in writing briefs, drafting complaints, preparing legal analyses, obtaining affidavits, investigating violations of environmental laws, developing policy advocacy campaigns, and drafting white papers and comments for submission to Congressional committees and administrative agencies.  NRDC hires passionate students who possess the intelligence, skill, self-confidence, and maturity to take on enormous responsibility.  Our interns play an active role on the frontlines of the environmental movement.  Over the course of a summer, an NRDC intern will typically work on a variety of projects and amass experience that he or she could not obtain anywhere else.

NRDC is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce.  To this end, NRDC:

• hires staff that reflects a full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities;
• creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• ensures that all members of the NRDC community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by environmental inequities.

To apply, please create a profile and upload a cover letter, transcript, resume, references, and a legal writing sample that does not reflect edits by anyone other than you.  In your cover letter, please indicate all of the NRDC offices to which you are applying, as well as any order of preference among the offices. Internships are available in the following offices:  New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco, CA; Santa Monica, CA; and Chicago, IL. 

Applications are due October 24, 2014 (2Ls) and January 16, 2015 (1Ls). 

Offers will be made on a rolling basis; we strongly encourage you to apply early.

If you are having technical difficulty while applying, please reach out to Customer Care by dialing 1-866-927-2472.

For more information, please visit http://www.nrdc.org.

Job Location

New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Santa Monica, CA; Chicago, IL, District of Columbia, United States

Position Type

Intern

Internship: Legal Intern for Winter/Spring 2015, NRDC (Deadline: rolling, San Francisco)

https://nrdc-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=382&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=992493&company_id=16427&version=1&byBusinessUnit=&bycountry=&bystate=&byRegion=&bylocation=&keywords=&byCat=&proximityCountry=&postalCode=&radiusDistance=&isKilometers=&tosearch=no

Winter/Spring 2015 Legal Intern

Tracking Code

382-427

Job Description

NRDC is a leading nonprofit environmental organization that has been marshaling science and the law to protect the environment and public health since 1970.  NRDC engages in litigation, lobbying, scientific research, and public education on air, water, public health, climate change, energy, public land, smart growth, international, urban, environmental justice, and nuclear issues.

The San Francisco Litigation Team

The San Francisco Litigation Team litigates to protect the environment and public health. The Team’s case load spans a broad range of environmental issues, such as preventing global warming; protecting public health; promoting environmental justice; curbing air and water pollution; preserving wildlife and wild places; and reducing overfishing. Over the past several years, the Team has tried cases to protect threatened and endangered fish from risks of extinction posed by the state and federal water projects in California; challenged a federal regulation that permitted intentional pesticide dosing experiments on humans; sued municipal governments over the discharge of polluted storm water; prevented a federal agency’s unlawful discharge of toxic heavy metals into San Francisco Bay; blocked a state budget bill that transferred money out of low-income weatherization and energy efficiency programs; challenged the FDA’s failure to restrict the use of antibiotics in livestock; and compelled an investigation and response to a landfill’s contamination of drinking water supplies with industrial solvents in Tennessee.

The Litigation Team Legal Internship:

NRDC seeks students currently enrolled in law school with strong grades, writing, and research skills and the intelligence, confidence, and maturity to assume serious responsibility. Legal interns work with the San Francisco Litigation Team’s attorneys on legal research and writing projects to support developing and/or active cases. Interns are also invited to participate in litigation planning and strategy meetings.

The internship is an unpaid position. NRDC seeks candidates who are eligible for academic credit, or outside funding such as law school work-study or postgraduate fellowship funding, to support their internship work. NRDC will work with successful candidates to complete any paperwork necessary to help secure available credit or funding.

The internship is for Winter/Spring 2015.  Start and end dates and other scheduling details are negotiable, but we look for aminimum time commitment of about two days a week in our office over the course of an academic term.

TO APPLY:  Please create a profile and upload your cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample and reference list.Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so apply soon. 

If you have questions about the application process or need to check on the status of your application, please email Sharmeen Morrison, smorrison@nrdc.org.

NRDC is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce.  To this end, NRDC:

• Hires staff that reflects this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities;
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensures that all members of the NRDC community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by environmental inequities.

If you are having technical difficulty while applying, please reach out to Customer Care by dialing 1-866-927-2472.

For more information, please visit www.nrdc.org.

Job Location

San Francisco, California, United States

Position Type

Intern

Internship: Legal Intern, Western Environmental Law Center (Deadline: Nov. 7, 2014, Helena, Montana & Taos, NM)

http://westernlaw.org/about-us/job-opportunities

Legal Internship – Summer 2015 

Job Description

The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) is accepting resumes from law students currently in their second or third year of law school (2L or 3L) for summer 2015 legal internship positions in these locations: the Rocky Mountains office in Helena, Montana, and the Southwest office in Taos, New Mexico. We are looking for bright and motivated individuals committed to public interest environmental law.

Under the supervision of a staff attorney in the office location in which they are hired, the selected interns will assist our attorneys with case development and strategy, conduct legal research, and draft pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.  The internships are unfunded positions.  We will provide assistance to the selected applicants in seeking outside funding or law school credit, and in finding free or inexpensive housing.  We offer a flexible summer work schedule to allow for outdoor recreation and travel.

Please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, short writing sample of 3-5 pages, and a list of three references by email tointernships@westernlaw.org.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the positions have been filled.  Applications received by Friday, November 7, 2014 will be given first consideration.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Interviews will be conducted by phone.

Please indicate the following in your cover letter: 1) the WELC office location for which you are applying (if you wish to apply to both office locations, please specify your first and second preference), 2) if you are facing a funding application deadline, and 3) your anticipated dates of availability for the summer position.

WELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Our programs and employment are open to all.  We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants, employees, or volunteers on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or disability, or any other status protected by applicable law or statute in any of our policies or programs.  

Position: Supervisory Attorney-Advisor, Office of Solicitor, Department of Interior (Deadline: Oct. 28, 2014 Phoneix, AZ)

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/384216400

Job Title:Supervisory Attorney - Advisor, GS-0905-15, KD-Exc Svc

Department:Department Of The Interior

Agency:Office of the Solicitor

Job Announcement Number:SOL-2015-0003

SALARY RANGE:	$117,489.00 to $152,734.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Tuesday, October 21, 2014 to Tuesday, October 28, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0905-15
POSITION INFORMATION:	Excepted Appointment Permanent - Full-Time
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 15
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy - Phoenix, AZ View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	United States Citizens
SECURITY CLEARANCE:	Public Trust - Background Investigation
SUPERVISORY STATUS:	No

JOB SUMMARY:

About the Agency

With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of quality legal services, the Office of the Solicitor performs the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior, manages the Department's Ethics Office and resolves FOIA Appeals. With more than four hundred total employees, three hundred of which are attorneys licensed in forty states, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission.
What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?
The Office of the Solicitor has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty location identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this location on a regular and recurring basis.
For additional information on telework you may access the Department of Interior’s Telework Handbook at http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/documents/teleworkhandbookOctober2012.pdf.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional Travel
• .

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

• No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Must be an active member of the bar.
• Selectee may be subject to serving a 2-year trial period.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

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DUTIES:

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As an Attorney-Advisor with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Intermountain Region, Phoenix Field Office located in Phoenix, AZ your specific duties will include: 

-- Provides legal counsel and representation to bureaus and offices of the Department
-- Geographic coverage of the position includes Arizona and surrounding states
-- Supervises a staff of attorneys who engage in providing legal advice and representation in the following areas:

• Indian Law, including lands and water right issues and Tribal government concerns
• Public land law, including issues under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Taylor Grazing Act, and Mining laws
• Reclamation law, and federal reserved and state water rights
• Interpretation and application of the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, including natural resource damage assessment
• Procurement and contracting, including issues under the Federal Acquisition Regulations and administrative litigation before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
• Title issues related to land acquisitions and exchanges
• Federal Tort Claims Act, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Federal Advisory Committee Act
• Personnel law, including administrative litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board
• Administrative litigation before the Office of Hearings and Appeals, including the Interior Board of Land Appeals, Interior Board of Indian Appeals, and Departmental Hearings Division
• Federal court litigation, including the preparation of administrative records and litigation reports for the Department of Justice and assisting in discovery, briefing, hearings and trials, and appellate review

-- Ensures the administrative functioning of the office in partnership with the Intermountain Region office in Salt Lake City and the Washington office

-- Assists the Department of Justice in the prosecution and defense of actions for or against the U.S. Government

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QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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Basic Qualification Requirements
Applicants must be law school graduates with LL.B. or J.D. degrees AND applicants must be an active member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.

Applicants must also meet one of the following:
--possess at least 1-year of professional legal experience following law school graduation; OR
--have a second professional law degree; OR
--meet any of the criteria indicated below:
(a) academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class;
(b) graduation with academic honors;
(c) significant participation on the law school’s law review;
(d) significant participation in the law school’s moot court competition;
(e) significant participation in a clinical legal aid program;
(f) significant summer law office clerk experience; or
(g) other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement.

GS-15:
In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements described above, applicants must also have the following additional years of professional legal experience (post JD) for the grade level indicated:
--GS-15 = 5 years 

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement. This proof may be faxed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Required Documents" and/or "Contact Information"). Please ensure that all documentation is legible. If you are currently employed by the Federal government in the same occupational series as the advertised position, you are not required to submit transcripts at this time.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification of compliance upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

The information and materials you provide will be used to evaluate that you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements for this position.
Basis of Rating: Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applicants that meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements of the position will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
To preview questions please click here.

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BENEFITS:

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You can review our benefits at: http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/index.html

Working for the DOI, Office of the Solicitor offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The following Web address is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. To find out more
click here http://www.opm.gov/insure/index.aspx.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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HOW TO APPLY:

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Applications (resume and application questions) for this vacancy must be received on-line via USAJOBS BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online resume, you will not be considered for this position. Requests for extensions will not be granted. Most libraries, employment offices, and all USGS personnel offices can provide access to the Internet. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must speak to someone in the Servicing Human Resources Office listed on this announcement PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE for assistance.
Instructions for Applying Online for this Vacancy Announcement:
1) Click the blue "Apply Online" button.
2) If you are not a registered USAJOBS user, please create a new account and follow the instructions to complete your application process. If you are a registered user, login to access your existing USAJOBS profile.
3) As a registered user, select a stored resume and select one or more of your stored documents to attach to your application.
4) Check the "Certification" box and click the "Apply for this position now!" button located at the bottom of the screen.
5) Address the eligibility questions as well as the questionnaire containing questions and/or task statements that address the knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies for this vacancy.
6) Submit required documents using one of the available methods listed below.
7) If you experience technical difficulties during the online application process, please contact the USAJOBS helpdesk.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must provide information in your resume regarding the state in which your active Bar membership is held.
If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide.
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof of eligibility by the closing date of this announcement.
Required documents may be:
1) faxed to the Agency Contact (see "Contact Information")
2) uploaded directly from your desktop
3) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments 4)hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see 'Contact Information').
Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.
For additional information on special appointing authorities, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/non_competitive.html.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Kristen Davis
Phone: 703-648-7463
Fax: 703-648-4113
Email: kjdavis@usgs.gov

Agency Information:
INTERIOR, Office of the Solicitor
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS-601
Reston, VA
20192
US
Fax: 703-648-4113

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

We expect to make a selection within 30-45 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified via email of the outcome. You can also go to "My Account" within USAJOBS to review your Application Status.