Summary About the Position: As an Attorney with Portland District's Office of Counsel you will be responsible for reviewing extremely complex legal issues, instruments, and assemblies and preparing legal opinions on complex questions relating to state and federal laws, regulations and policy affecting several million dollars or more. Responsibilities Identify, research, and address extremely complex and difficult legal questions affecting USACE missions. Prepare legal opinions, or other legal instruments to render advice to clients on matters requiring a high order of original and creative legal endeavor to obtain a reasonable balance of conflicting interests. Represent the office of Counsel in meetings, negotiations, conferences, presentations, hearings, administrative litigation, or other forums, with municipal, state, other federal agencies, and private stakeholders. Render legal advice and assistance to all elements of the Command in response to inquiries on numerous types of miscellaneous problems arising from day-to-day operations and which vary from simple to difficult. Performs legal research necessary to furnish correct solutions and to explain probable results of various alternatives that may be developed. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and education 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. Minimum Qualification Requirements: The following minimum qualification requirements must be met before applicants are eligible for further consideration as prescribed in DoDI 1442.02 and AR 690-300. Bar Membership: Applicants must currently be a member in good standing (as defined by the pertinent bar) of the bar of a State, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Education: Assignments require the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and active membership in the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. In addition to the minimum requirements listed above applicants must possess the following experience: GS-12: At least two years of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, acquired after being admitted to the bar, to be eligible for the position at the GS-12 level. - OR - Applicants may qualify by having received a second professional law degree (LL.M.) AND at least one year of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, acquired after being admitted to the bar, to be eligible for the position at the GS-12 level. GS-13: Greater than two years of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, acquired after being admitted to the bar, to be eligible for the position at the GS-13 level. - OR - Applicants may qualify by having received a second professional law degree (LL.M.) and two years of professional legal experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, acquired after being admitted to the bar, to be eligible for the position at the GS-13 level. Note: The Chief Counsel, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has authority to waive the experience requirements listed above. The Selection Panel appointed by Portland District Office of Counsel will evaluate applicants to determine if they meet the minimum qualification requirements and on the extent to which their application shows possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. Management will evaluate you further on your level of competency in the following areas: Ability to develop and utilize innovative approaches in solving problems, formulating effective solutions, and resolving complex issues. Knowledge, experience, and ability to effectively advise in one or more of the following areas of federal law and practice: a) civil works, b) fiscal law, c) FOIA, d) government ethics, e) natural resources management, f) procurement, g) real estate, h) regulatory, and i) possible others. Knowledge and experience in handling complex and other litigation, judicial or administrative, in any of the aforementioned practice areas. Ability to function as an advisor to real property specialists and contracting officers, project managers, and district leaders; to work effectively with other military and management officials within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with other governmental entities, and with private parties. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse clients and constituencies on varied and complex topics. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: 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. One 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. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. 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 Professional Services Career Field position Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. 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. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations. Advanced-in-Hire, Enhanced Leave Accrual, or Recruitment/Relocation incentive MAY be authorized if determined to be in the best interest of the government.