Summary About the Position: This is an Attorney Adviser (Environmental), GS-0905-14 position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division (SWD), Galveston District, Office of Counsel. This is a permanent and full-time position and will be located in Galveston, TX. **Permanent Change of Station (PCS) OR a recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for this position. ** Responsibilities Works under the general supervision of the managing counsel to whom assigned. Responsible for the preparation or review of legal issues, instruments, assemblies, or the preparation of legal opinions on questions relating to Federal environmental laws and regulations. Identify, research, and address extremely complex and difficult legal questions affecting USACE missions. Prepare legal opinions, or other legal instruments, and renders advice to clients on matters which require for their solution a high order of original and creative legal endeavor in order to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests. Represent the office to which assigned in meetings, negotiations, conferences, presentations, hearings, administrative litigation, or other forums, with municipal, state, other federal agencies, and private stakeholders. Provide advice, guidance and direction to all staff elements, higher headquarters, Commanders and others regarding complex and controversial environmental issues from the initial study phase through post-construction monitoring. Provide litigation legal support to the regulatory permit program. Review, analyze, and provide legal advice on permit decisions and matters of policy and procedure involving program application that may be subject to a lawsuit or impending lawsuit. Render legal advice and assistance (either oral or in writing as required) to all elements of the district in response to inquiries on numerous types of miscellaneous problems arising from day-to-day operations. Perform legal research necessary to furnish correct solutions and to explain probable results of various alternatives that may be developed. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE OF UP TO 25% OF THE BASE SALARY MAY BE OFFERED, DEPENDING ON FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MANAGEMENT DISCRETION. AN INCENTIVE MUST BE REQUESTED BY SELECTED APPLICANT AT THE TIME OF THE TENTATIVE JOB OFFER AND APPROVED PRIOR TO HIRE. AND INCENTIVE REQUIRES A SIGNED SERVICE AGREEMENT. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration: Education: An applicant must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.). Law school transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Experience for the GS-14 level: An applicant must have more than three years of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. Time in Grade Requirement: If currently employed as an attorney by the Federal Government must have completed 1 year at the next lower level within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement, or previously served at the same or higher grade as the position being filled. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Your application package will be evaluated to ensure your experience, knowledge, skills, training and/or education meet the qualification requirements stated in this vacancy announcement. Quality of experience relates to how closely or to what extent an applicant's background and recency of experience and education clearly reflect that you possess the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of this position. The following KSA's must be addressed in your resume. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating or effect your overall rating. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs) Qualification Requirements: 1. Knowledge, skills and ability with respect to a broad and diverse range of USACE legal practice areas, which will include federal environmental and regulatory law, and may include USACE civil works laws and policies, federal real estate practice, federal procurement law, torts, FOIA, ethics, federal fiscal law, and federal labor and employment law. 2. Knowledge of statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures concerning federal civil law, focusing on the Corps-related areas listed above. 3. Advocacy and trial experience before a variety of federal courts and boards, including a Federal District Court, the Court of Federal Claims, or a Federal Appeals Court, especially as lead attorney. 4. Practical experience and mature judgement in solving legal problems, providing interpretations of statutes and regulations, and reviewing client documents for legal soundness and accuracy sufficient for the accomplishment of difficult, complex, and varied work relating to complex labor, procurements, and general Corps-related legal issues. 5. Experience working with counsel from other (especially Federal) government agencies or other offices, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, a United States Attorney's Office, or opposing counsel, especially on high profile or significant dollar value cases. 6. Individuals being evaluated for a GS-14 position should demonstrate a strong ability to work well with others; significant leadership and/or teambuilding skills are desired. 7. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. Two-year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Career Program (CP) 56 - Legal position. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. This position requires a Confidential Financial Disclosure report (OGE 450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.