Summary The incumbent serves as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of the General Counsel in Kansas City, Missouri, and will provide legal advice, research, analyze and interpret federal, state and local laws, and provide oral and written opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs and support for all USDA's programs and litigation. This is an open-continuous announcement with an initial cut-off date of 06/25/2026 and then every month thereafter. Please see the "How to Apply " section. Responsibilities Attorneys provide practical, solution-oriented legal counsel on a broad range of transactional and commercial matters, balancing objectives, statutory and regulatory compliance and legal risk. You will: Draft and review documents for commercial and transactional work: e.g., debtor, creditor and bankruptcy, contracts, Federal Tort Claims Act, property law claims, crop insurance, loan and grant transactions, corporate structure, trusts and estates. Provide legal advice and counsel to USDA agencies in furtherance of the Secretary's programs and policies. Research and advise on compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, organizational documents, loan security documents and other statutory requirements. Resolve contract disputes, subpoena responses, regulatory inquiries, and complaints. Serve as liaison between USDA agencies and the Department of Justice in litigation concerning USDA programs. Coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop litigation responses and strategy. Represent USDA agencies in formal administrative adjudication and subsequent District Court review of administrative decisions. Draft and review legal documents, including briefs, contracts, legal opinions, and agency documents. Perform other projects, duties, and tasks as assigned, please see full performance level duties below. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. For consideration, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for attorney positions: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (J.D. or equivalent degree) (Law School transcript required); and Currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Applicants should have demonstrated specialized experience in legal research, excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong employment and academic record. This experience should be clearly documented in the cover letter and resume. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In addition to the basic requirements, the following additional experience is required. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. GS-11: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the (GS-09) level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform as an Attorney Advisor (General)possessing excellent written and communication skills, strong writing and research ability, a strong academic record, problem-solving ability and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; Providing legal advice, research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and local laws; Assisting in writing opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and legal support of agency/organization programs and litigation; Performing legal services as assigned; Preparing various kinds of legal documents, both for specific case use and for general use under guidance; Ability to conduct legal research to handle cases; Ability to apply legal analysis and make sound legal judgment to find appropriate precedent or distinguish applicable law or facts to support or justify position. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume/supporting documents. 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 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: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (J.D. or equivalent degree) (law school transcript required). Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above requirements (education and bar membership). Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified." 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. Bar Membership: Applicant must currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Written Narrative: You must submit a written narrative (not to exceed 1,200 words) explaining your interest in working for USDA's Office of the General Counsel and its commercial and transactional work. (Note: This position does not include any environmental work). The narrative should note any specific relevant course work, training, or experience that you believe should be considered in evaluating your application, as well as showing you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies listed in this announcement. 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. Additional Information This is a bargaining unit designated position. This position is represented by AFGE, Local 1106. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Incentives may be authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. The duties listed below are described at the FPL for GS-14. The GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 are developmental leading to such performance. Mastery of statutes, regulations, and legal precedents related to major USDA program areas or relevant subject matter expertise to provide expert legal advice in regard to the assigned program area, develop or recommend litigation strategies and procedures, assist the Department of Justice in the trial of important or precedent-setting cases, negotiate or participate in negotiating settlements on behalf of the Department. Mastery of a large and complex body of law in which precedents are frequently conflicting or non-existent to make determinations and reach conclusions which guide the Department or the Agency in resolving subsequent, similar problems; provide legal advice to heads of programs and Agencies on complex and difficult legal questions or factual issues; and write opinions and case assessment memoranda after conducting detailed factual and legal research. Mastery of the principles and techniques of legal analysis and practice in order to prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents in connection with suits by and against the Government and determine the nature of action or defense, the legal issues involved, the most effective course of action and optimal strategies and tactics to be employed. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of missions and functions of the USDA and its agencies or relevant subject matter expertise, as appropriate to provide legal services in support of USDA programs and activities that are consistent with the strategic goals of USDA and the priorities of the Secretary of Agriculture. Mastery of the principles and techniques of written and oral communication to speak and write with clarity and tact to provide guidance on issues of varying complexity, secure acceptance of recommendations, prepare complex legal opinions, and represent the Department in a variety of external and internal interactions.
