Law Clerk/Attorney Advisor (General)
NOAA Fisheries
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at NOAA Fisheries.See open jobs similar to "Law Clerk/Attorney Advisor (General)" Schmidt Marine.Summary
This is a Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
This position is located in the Office of the Undersecretary, Office of General Counsel (OGC), with one or more vacancies in Silver Spring, MD.
Overview
- Accepting applications
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Open & closing dates
08/02/2024 to 09/06/2024
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Salary
$82,764 - $153,354 per year
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Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
- Help
Location
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Remote job
No
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent
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Work schedule
Full-time
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Service
Excepted
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Promotion potential
15 - If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non-competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Position sensitivity and risk
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Trust determination process
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Financial disclosure
Yes
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Bargaining unit status
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Announcement number
OGC-24-12490723-ES
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Control number
802823900
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applicants must be a law student who will receive his/her J.D. degree by June 30, 2025; or a graduate law student with a J.D. who will receive his/her LL.B. by June 30, 2025; or a recent law school graduate with a J.D. who will complete a judicial clerkship or a relevant fellowship by September 2025.
Videos
Duties
As an Attorney-Advisor with the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of General Counsel, your specific duties will include:
As an Attorney-Advisor in the Attorney Honors Program, you will work closely with experienced NOAA scientists and other program specialists on a variety of cutting-edge issues relating to the management and conservation of natural resources. This position requires interaction with other NOAA General Counsel Office attorneys, NOAA 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 organizations. It also involves active participation, in concert with U.S. Department of Justice attorneys, in prosecuting and defending NOAA cases brought under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Oil Pollution Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and other similar laws. The work involves complex and challenging legal issues on important matters.
The NOAA Office of the General Counsel employs approximately 110 attorneys at headquarters in the Silver Spring, MD/Washington, DC area and six regional offices. 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, endangered and threatened marine species, preservation of coastal areas, marine sanctuaries, and licensing of commercial satellites.
NOAA is a premier environmental agency located within the U.S. Department of Commerce and employs over 12,000 individuals nationwide. NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them.
From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation's first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters.
NOAA's mission touches the lives of every American and we are proud of our role in protecting life and property and conserving and protecting natural resource.
Note: The duties described are at the full performance level of the GS-15 grade.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Key Requirements:
- Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Nationals.
- Selectee may be subject to serving a 2-year trial period unless a preference eligible veteran.
- This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is covered by (2161).
- If selected, required to complete OGE Form 450 financial disclosure.
- Applicant must be registered for Selective Service (males only).
- Individuals selected for this Honors Program must agree to a commitment to remain with the Office of the General Counsel for a minimum of three years from the date of his/her original appointment.
- More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.
- 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.
- Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
- Significant academic achievement in law school (such as ranking in the top 20% of the class), graduation with honors, judicial clerking experience, or participation in law review, will be favorably considered.
- Individuals selected for this Honors Program are expected to begin working in September 2025 in Silver Spring, MD. Law School graduates not yet admitted to the Bar as of September 2025, will be placed in Law Clerk positions at the GS-11 level pending admission to the Bar, at which time they will be eligible for conversion to an Attorney position.
Qualifications
This position has a positive education requirement: transcripts must be provided, and proof of Bar membership for those seeking an attorney position, MUST be provided with your application package to receive further consideration.
NOTE: Cover Letter requirements: Your cover letter should be no longer than 3000 characters, including spaces, and should address why you are applying to the NOAA GC Honors Program, your interest in public service, the characteristics and qualifications that make you a strong candidate, and what distinguishes you from other candidates.
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be a law student who will receive his/her J.D. degree by June 30, 2025; a graduate law student with a J.D. who will receive his/her LL.B. by June 30, 2025; or a recent law school graduate with a J.D. who will complete a judicial clerkship or a relevant fellowship by September 2025.
Significant academic achievement in law school (such as ranking in the top 20% of the class), graduation with honors, judicial clerkship experience, or participation in law review, will be favorably considered.
Basic Requirements:
NOAA seeks attorneys with a comprehensive knowledge of Federal environmental statutes and conservation laws, as well as laws and regulations related to the implementation and oversight of large-scale natural resource restoration projects. 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 top 20% class ranking, graduation with honors, judicial clerking experience, or participation in moot court or law review) or experience practicing environmental law will be favorably considered.
Attorneys are considered for promotion on each annual anniversary date based on successful performance and management recommendation.
Qualification Requirements:
Law Clerk, GS-0904-11:
Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Appointments as a Law Clerk are limited to 14 months during which time appointee must be admitted in good standing to the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the United States, after which the appointee will be appointed to a permanent appointment as an Attorney.
**This is a developmental position for the 18-month long Honors Program.
Attorney Advisor, GS-0905-12:
Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and must be an active member in good standing of a State bar, the bar of the District of Columbia, the bar of a U.S. territory, or the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
**Individuals appointed as Law Clerks at the GS-11 grade may be promoted to GS-12 Attorney-Advisor positions upon admission to the bar, regardless of time-in-grade.
Attorney Advisor, GS-0905-13:
GS-13: Holds a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school, and must be an active member in good standing of a State bar, the bar of the District of Columbia, the bar of a U.S. territory, or the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and possess at least twenty-four months of relevant legal experience.
Conditions of Employment:
Law Clerk, GS-0904-11:
- This position is designated as Position Sensitivity 5N, Moderate Risk, and is subject to all requirements applicable to that designation.
- The incumbent is required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450), within 30 days after entrance-on-duty date, and annually thereafter.
- This position is NON-EXEMPT from coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- This position is designated as Position Sensitivity 5, Moderate Risk, and is subject to all requirements applicable to that designation.
- The incumbent is required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450), within 30 days after entrance-on-duty date, and annually thereafter.
- This position is EXEMPT from coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, and libraries.
Education
College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities 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. 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 by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.
Additional information
Salary Ranges:
GS-11: $82,764-$107,590
GS-12: $99,200-$128,956
GS-13: $117,962-$153,354
- Law School graduates who have not been admitted to the Bar will be placed in Law Clerk positions at the GS-11 level.
- Law School graduates who have been admitted to the Bar will be placed in Attorney positions at the GS-12 level.
- Law School graduates who have been admitted to the Bar and have a minimum of twenty months of relevant legal experience may be considered for placement in GS-13 positions.
- While tentative offers to the NOAA OGC Honors Program will be made well in advance of the September 2025 start date, final confirmation of appointment is contingent upon the availability of funds at that time.
- During the first 18 months of the program, you will participate in three six-month rotations in the legal sections located in the Silver Spring, MD area. You may volunteer to work in a regional office as your third rotation. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your preference for rotations, consistent with the needs of the Office.
- At the end of the third rotation and consistent with the needs of the Office, you will be permanently placed in a specific legal section, making reasonable efforts to take into account your preferences for a permanent location. While we expect to place attorneys in one of the Silver Spring, MD/Washington, D.C. area sections, you may request permanent placement in one of the six regional sections. If a permanent placement involves a change in location, you will be responsible for your relocation costs.
- 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.
- DOC 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 Department of Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
- Working for the DOC, Office of the General Council offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
- OCG has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOC Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications 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.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the Qualifications 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 are no numerical rating systems through which to apply veterans preference; however, the NOAA Office of the General Counsel favorably considers veterans preference eligibility 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.
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.
Required Documents
All Applicants
- A complete application package includes a cover letter, resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume.
- If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose, for each work experience at a minimum, your resume must include; job title(s) (including job series and grade, if federal); description of duties or work performed; education; starting and ending dates (month and ear); and hours worked per week and/or full-time or part-time. If identifying as part-time you must state the number of hours per week. (NOTE: A full-time work schedule requires most employees to work 33-40 hours during the work week. A part-time schedule requires an employee to work less than full-time, but for a specific number of hours (usually 16-32 hours per administrative work week) on a prearranged scheduled tour of duty.)
- Cover Letter, resume and unofficial law school transcript (in one PDF file). Please include your GPA and class rank in your resume, if available. Your resume must indicate your citizenship, and whether you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
Law School Transcript requirements: This position requires proof of higher education. You are required to provide a law school transcript (unofficial) which includes semester hours earned and grades received, by the closing date of this announcement. Please ensure that all documentation is legible. 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.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities 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. 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 by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.
Additional documentation required prior to receiving a formal offer:
Official Law School Transcript: Please note that 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.
Proof of bar membership: Please note that prior to receiving a formal offer, applicants qualifying for the Attorney, GS-0905-12/13 position must provide evidence of being an active member in good standing of a State bar; the bar of the District of Columbia; the bar of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the bar of one of the U.S. Territories or the bar of one of the U.S. Possessions. Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with NOAA.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
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.
How to Apply
Please email the following documents to OGCAttorney.Honors@noaa.gov with Subject Line: "Honors Attorney Program 2024"
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Official or unofficial transcripts
Applications sent by any other method will not be accepted. Emailed applications must be received by 09/06/2024. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Agency contact information
Jeffrey Geise
Email
OGCAttorney.Honors@noaa.gov
Address
NOAA, Office of the General Counsel
14th & Constitution Avenue NW
Washington DC 20230
Agency contact information
- jeffrey.geise@noaa.gov
- Address
- NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS)
1315 East West Hwy
SSMC4
Silver Spring, MD 20910
US
Next steps
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.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job is no longer accepting applications
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