Law Clerk/Attorney-Advisor (General)

Attorney Honors Program

Individuals selected will participate in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of the General Counsel's Attorney Honors Program. Those selected for the Law Clerk position cannot be promoted above the GS-11 level without meeting eligibility and qualification criteria for the Attorney position. Promotion Potential Explanation: Attorneys are considered for promotion on each annual anniversary date based on successful performance and management recommendation. There is no promotion potential for Law Clerks until being admitted to a bar and conversion to an Attorney position.

As an Attorney with the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of General Counsel, your specific duties will include:

As a Law Clerk / Attorney Advisor in the Attorney Honors Program, you will work closely with experienced National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists and other program specialists on a variety of cutting-edge issues relating to the management and conservation of natural resources. NOAA General Counsel attorneys and law clerks perform a variety of legal duties, including conducting legal research, presenting to agency decisionmakers, reviewing applications for governmental approval or protection, and working in adversarial proceedings. This position requires interaction with other NOAA General Counsel Office attorneys, NOAA scientists, policy makers and technical staff, Department of Commerce officials, other Federal and state agency officials, members of the regulated community, and representatives of public interest organizations. It also involves active participation, in concert with U.S. Department of Justice attorneys, in prosecuting and defending NOAA cases brought under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Oil Pollution Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and other similar laws. The work involves complex and challenging legal issues on important matters.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of the General Counsel employs numerous attorneys at headquarters in the Silver Spring, MD/Washington, DC area and six regional offices. 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. NOTE: All positions are developmental, leading to the Full Performance Level (FPL) GS-15. NOAA is a premier environmental agency located within the U.S. Department of Commerce and employs over 12,000 individuals nationwide. NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it. NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation's first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters. NOAA's mission touches the lives of every American and we are proud of our role in protecting life and property and conserving and protecting natural resource.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other equivalent positions throughout the Federal government. The position must be alike (e.g.: within the same geographic locations, equivalent grade/band and requires the same qualifications and specialized experience as indicated in this vacancy announcement).