About

Overview

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

All qualified United States Citizens

Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration. The directions for applying to this announcement can be found in the “How to Apply” section. 

Please send your application material only to the email address: GCPacificIslands.vacancy@noaa.gov

Security Clearance Required:

Public Trust - Background Investigation

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:

Permanent

Marketing Statement:

Unlock secrets in deep oceans, track rapidly moving storms, operate state-of-the-art environmental satellites, chart the Nation’s waterways, formulate models to forecast climate trends, protect and preserve our living marine resources…all in a day’s work at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)!  Join a dedicated workforce committed to a vital mission:  safeguarding the public, protecting natural resources, strengthening the economy.  A career that makes a world of difference!  

Summary:

The NOAA Office of the General Counsel employs approximately 110 attorneys in the Washington, DC area and in six regional sections.  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.  For more information see www.noaa.gov.

An extraordinary opportunity is now available with the NOAA Office of the General Counsel’s Pacific Islands Section, Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Pacific Islands Section provides legal advice to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries.)  NOAA Fisheries is one of the agency’s largest program offices and is responsible for implementing Federal laws to manage and conserve marine resources.  NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region works with the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (WPFMC) in developing proposals for conserving and managing marine resources and protected marine species in the waters surrounding Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas.  NOAA Fisheries also works with the WPFMC, the Department of Interior, Department of Defense, the State of Hawaii, and the Pacific Island Territories, in the development of management plans and regulations for the region’s four Marine National Monuments.  NOAA Fisheries also provides support to the U.S. Department of State in negotiations involving the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, as well as formulating the U.S. conservation positions at international bodies such as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.  The attorney selected for this position would joining the NOAA GC Office, Pacific Islands Section and would provide legal analysis and advice to the Pacific Islands region, WPFMC, and the Pacific Islands Fishery Science Center, in the development of a wide array of regulations, fishery management plans, policies, and programs.  The attorney also would work closely with the U.S. Department of Justice in conducting research and developing litigation strategies in cases filed against NOAA Fisheries in federal court. For more information on the Pacific Islands Region, see:  http://www.fpir.noaa.gov

Supervisory Position:

No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

No

Travel Required:

Occasional Travel

Position may require overnight domestic or foreign travel.

Duties

The attorney selected for this position will have significant responsibilities advising NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region in its work to conserve and manage living marine resources.  Principal duties include: providing legal analysis and written and oral legal advice to NOAA Fisheries, PIFSC, and the WPFMC regarding requirements and responsibilities for managing fisheries, protecting marine species and habitats, and safeguarding the environment under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, National Historic Preservation Act, South Pacific Tuna Act, and other statutes pertaining to domestic and international fisheries and environmental issues. 

The position involves working closely with experienced managers, scientists, and program analysts in, among other things, developing and reviewing regulations, permits, and policies.  The position requires interaction with other NOAA GC attorneys, policy makers and technical staff, the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Coast Guard, other Federal, State and U.S. Territorial agencies, members of the regulated community, and public interest organizations.  It also involves active participation, in concert with U.S. Department of Justice attorneys, in conducting research and analysis for the development of litigation positions and strategies to defend NOAA Fisheries in cases brought under the above-referenced statutes.  The work involves complex and challenging issues on important matters.  The position reports to the Chief, Pacific Islands Section, of NOAA’s Office of General Counsel. 

Please do not apply to this position through USAJobs.  All documentation must be sent to: GCPacificIslands.vacancy@noaa.gov for further consideration. 

NOTE: Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Honolulu, HI is 12.05% and is not federally taxed. The COLA is not reflected in the locality salary shown in this vacancy announcement. COLAs are exempt from Federal income taxes; post differentials are not.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For more information about the qualifications requirements for this:  http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-position/standards/0900/general-attorney-series-0905/

Key Requirements:

Applicant must successfully complete a background security investigation.

Position is in the excepted service

Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)

Applicant must complete a one-year trial period.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

Education Requirements:

Evaluations:

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 is no numerical rating system through which to apply veteran’s preference; however, the NOAA Office of the General Counsel considers veterans preference eligibility as a positive factor 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 00-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

Qualifications:

NOAA seeks attorneys with knowledge of or experience working with federal environmental statutes and conservation laws, as well as laws and regulations governing Federal agencies, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.  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 graduation in top third of class, graduation with honors, judicial clerking experience, or participation in moot court or law review) or experience practicing environmental law will be favorably considered.  Experience in civil litigation and experience working with Federal, State, and/or Territorial governments on resource conservation programs and issues will also receive favorable consideration. 

Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school, and be an active member of a state bar or the bar of the District of Columbia.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits:

NOAA offers a comprehensive benefits package.  Explore the benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc

Other Information:

Relocation or moving expenses will not be reimbursed.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

In the cover letter, please explain in detail how your experience, education, training, activities or awards relate to the qualifications listed above.  Also, please explain why you are interested in working for the NOAA Office of the General Counsel, Pacific Islands Section.  Please include your email address and your day and evening telephone numbers, and indicate the best time to reach you by telephone.

Application must be made by email.  Send your resume and cover letter to: 

By Email to: GCPacificIslands. vacancy@noaa.gov.   

Failure to follow these instructions will result in your application not being considered.

Required Documents:

Cover Letter and resume. 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.

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. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information.

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 qualification.