General Attorney

Summary

This General Attorney position is located at the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA), Headquarters Office, Office of General Counsel (OGC), and primarily practices Federal administrative law, reporting to the General Counsel. Assignments are given without accompanying instructions in terms of broad general policy or arise from the day-to-day SWPA/DOE problems.

Duties

• The General Attorney: Reviews documents drafted by SWPA's program offices for legal sufficiency. Offers advice, opinions, and recommendations to all levels of SWPA management and supports leadership and staff. Identifies areas of special legal significance and independently confers with appropriate SWPA/DOE, or other federal agency employees to arrive at workable solutions to complex problems. Leads SWPA legal proceedings before administrative bodies such as the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, Federal Labor Relations Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Lays the groundwork for the Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys in preparation of the government's arguments in litigated cases involving Federal Administrative Law issues. Collaborate with DOJ by delineating SWPA's legal and policy positions. In administrative trials and hearings, and with DOJ in Federal court, prepare pleadings, exhibits and other necessary documents, interviews and deposes witnesses, and engages in discovery. Prepare contracts and discuss the legal implications of proposed courses of action. Exchanges information, provides legal counsel, persuades others to adopt views and take specific actions, and represents SWPA during administrative and judicial trials and hearings. Represents SWPA in Federal power marketing law matters, providing legal advice, case preparation, and/or litigation. Reviews SWPA's program offices documents for legal sufficiency.

Qualifications

In order to be qualified for this position, you must meet the basic requirement AND minimum qualification requirements for the grade level(s) in which you apply. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience for this position is defined as having ALL of the following: Conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and compliance questions including researching precedent or opinions on legal issues, and drafting the legal memorandum and guidance; Advising and reviewing documents for legal sufficiency and providing written feedback to clients after such review; Preparing evidence and determining its value and completeness; preparing briefs, pleadings, exhibits and other necessary documents, interviews and deposes witnesses, and engage in discovery for use in a trial and/or administrative hearing; AND Representing an agency or organization as lead Attorney in legal proceedings before administrative bodies (i.e. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Merit System Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission etc...). "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Education

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. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. 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.