Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Summary The Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) for the Advanced Research Projects Agency- Energy (ARPA-E) is seeking a highly motivated Attorney Adviser. ARPA-E funds research, development and commercialization of advanced energy technologies to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States. Responsibilities In this position, you will provide legal services required to support ARPA-E programs, projects, and functions including research, development, prototype and pilot-scale tests, and technology commercialization and outreach efforts. You will serve as legal advisor to Contracting Officers, Program Directors, Selection Officials and Merit Review Boards, including providing advice and guidance on such matters as Merit Review Plan, Merit Review Reports, Conflicts of Interest questions, and other matters affecting process and fairness of competitive and non-competitive selection for awards of financial assistance consistent with the legal, fiscal, and financial assistance policies of the government. You will provide research, analysis, and assistance to ARPA-E under the guidance and supervision of the ARPA-E Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel in the areas of general law, financial assistance and procurement law, environmental law, and ethics. The incumbent performs detail-oriented work requiring research, writing, and analytical skills, and the use of discretion and independent judgment in the application of specialized knowledge to provide services to the legal office. The incumbent is expected to be knowledgeable about the applicable statutes, regulations, Departmental Orders, Directives, and other source materials relating to the activities of the Office of Chief Counsel, including any which pertain to the various ARPA-E Programs, such as the Ethics in Government Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, FOIA and Privacy Act, Federal Acquisition Regulations, National Environmental Policy Act, the Energy Policy Act, and the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. Incumbent must be familiar with office procedures and policies which affect general law issues. The incumbent is expected to be knowledgeable about ethical obligations of federal employees and assist in gathering ARPA-E data or information that may be relevant to answer questions from the DOE Ethics Office related to ARPA-E employee annual financial disclosure forms, new entrant and exit briefing packets or ethics waivers and authorizations issued to ARPA-E employees by the Ethics Official. The incumbent researches case reports, statutes, regulations, and legislation that have a bearing on legal issues relating to DOE and ARPA-E activities. In supporting the attorneys in the office, the incumbent performs research on a wide variety of legal issues, compiles and organizes necessary materials, participates in and coordinates meetings, and develops presentations and memoranda. The incumbent must be able to conduct legal research through the use of an assortment of reference materials such as the U.S. Code, U.S. Reports, the Federal Register, and computer databases Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis. The incumbent must also be able to analyze materials and present recommendations, findings, and conclusions both orally and in writing to attorneys. The incumbent performs initial review of Contracting Officer determination letters, NEPA clauses on awards, Environmental Impact Questionnaires and Categorical Exclusions, Determinations of Noncompetitive Financial Assistance, Requests for Information, Funding Opportunity Announcements, and any other policy, financial, or environmental instruments reviewed by Agency counsel. The incumbent establishes and maintains legal reference files, including a comprehensive system of internal guidelines and information, consisting of statutes, regulations, cases and other precedents and procedures concerning the work of the office and administrative filings systems. Develops methods and establishes procedures on own initiative and through knowledge of legal activities to assure ready access to and maintenance of information contained in files. The incumbent conducts searches and reviews documents sought in discovery or under the Freedom of Information Act, and drafts responses. The incumbent assists the attorney in reviewing and evaluating for legal sufficiency, information proposed to be withheld from disclosure in responses to requests for information submitted to the agency pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Incumbent presents recommendations, findings and conclusions both orally and by written memoranda to the attorney. The incumbent screens and analyzes incoming legal correspondence, GAO audit coordination requests, or legal matters and materials related to other duties described above; determines a need for inquiries to offices within DOE or ARPA-E and coordinates with legal staff on requests for additional information. The Incumbent drafts and edits memoranda, reports, correspondence, and responses to questions received from applicants regarding pending Funding Opportunity Announcements. The Incumbent proofreads documents for legal staff; assists with preparing notebooks, labels, and filings; creates and revises PDF's, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations; and attends meetings when requested. Requirements Conditions of Employment CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: CITIZENSHIP: Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12): A selectee's appointment is contingent upon compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (OGE 450): If you are selected for this position, you will be subject to the U.S. Department of Energy mandatory requirements and will be required to file a confidential financial disclosure report (OGE-450) within 30 days of entry on duty, and annually thereafter. TRIAL PERIOD: New appointees must successfully complete a 2 year trial period. SELECTIVE SERVICE: All males born after December 31, 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government. eVERIFY: New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify." This is an Excepted Service position. This appointment will not confer Competitive Service career-conditional or career tenure status. This means that if you are selected, you would have to compete with other applicants in open competition to meet requirements for another Federal position, unless you meet the requirements for reinstatement. Applicants who voluntarily convert from the competitive service, Senior Executive Service, or other pay systems to a non-time limited appointment under this excepted service authority are not afforded "fallback rights" to the pay system assigned prior to conversion. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications U.S. Citizenship required 3+ years legal experience required Education Professional law degree (LLB or JD) required Education Additional Information Pay will be determined based on the grade level of the position. The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation. Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ Attorney Advisers typically have a 2-3 year excepted service term at ARPA-E (with additional term extensions possible) Attorney Advisers work at ARPA-E headquarters in Washington, DC with telework 1-2 days per week Attorney Advisers are full-time federal employees, are paid a competitive salary dependent on experience/capabilities, and receive full federal benefits