Summary
The Office of Development Law supports national goals of infrastructure modernization and network expansion by counseling FRA's Office of Railroad Development on legal requirements for project delivery and infrastructure investment. Staff attorneys manage complex portfolios including federal financial assistance, environmental compliance (National Environmental Policy Act/National Historic Preservation Act), and the agency's comprehensive legal relationship with Amtrak.
Responsibilities
As an Attorney Advisor (Development Law), you will advise on: Financial Assistance and Project Delivery: Draft and negotiate grant agreements and advise on legal requirements for federal funding, including 2 CFR Part 200 and Buy America provisions and fiscal law matters. Liaise with the Build America Bureau on federal loans. Environmental & Historic Preservation: Provide counsel on NEPA, NHPA, and related regulations for infrastructure projects. Amtrak Portfolio Support: Advise on FRA's interests in Amtrak, including lien holdings, and grants for operating and capital needs throughout the country. Legislative Support: Provide technical assistance regarding intercity passenger rail legislation and railroad development grant programs. Litigation: Represent the agency in litigation and administrative matters related to the Development Law portfolio. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of and experience in a wide range of legal practice areas affecting the transportation industry, including specifically: administrative law; financial assistance programs, including grants; legislation and regulations; and environmental and historic preservation laws, regulations, and guidance. *PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (1 year) vacancy announcement. Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications after the first 21 days of the vacancy opening for early consideration. Then after, applications will be reviewed on an as needed basis.
Qualifications
To qualify your experience should include experience and education equal or equivalent to the following: GRADE 12 - You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least ONE (1) year of professional legal work experience. Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. GRADE 13 - You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least TWO (2) years of professional legal work experience. Be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. GRADE 14 - You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least THREE (3) years professional legal work experience of a progressively responsible nature. Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. GRADE 15 - You must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Be a graduate of an accredited law school with a LL.B., J.D., or equivalent AND at least FOUR (4) years of professional attorney experience. Be an active member in good standing of the bar in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. You cannot qualify for any grade on education alone; you must also have experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Administrative Law - Knowledge of State and Federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to Federal financial assistance. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations. 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Requirements
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period. ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
Education
MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have a professional law degree, and must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.