Summary With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative advice and counsel, DOI Solicitor's Office performs the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than five hundred employees, more than four hundred of which are attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission. Responsibilities This position is located in the Division of Water Resources Office and will work closely with the National Park Service (NPS) Water Resources Division water rights program. The position will 1) evaluate vulnerabilities of NPS water rights, 2) develop legal strategies for acquiring and protecting water rights to enhance the resilience of NPS water resources in addressing climate change concerns and development pressures, 3) collaborate with NPS Water Resources Division to apply select legal strategies on behalf of parks, and 4) document preferred methods for quantifying, securing, and protecting ecosystem water rights and methods This is a temporary position for a four-year term. At the full performance level of GS-14 the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Provides advice on and legal services for water resource-related matters pertaining to National Park Service operations and water resource protection (especially throughout the western United States), including interpretation and analysis of federal and state laws and policies related to both federal reserved and state appropriative water rights. Providing legal evaluation of the vulnerability of National Park Service water supplies, water resources and dependent ecosystems, and water rights to effects of climate change, increasing National Park Service and external water demands, curtailment, and other legal challenges. Develops and, in collaboration with the National Park Service, applies legal strategies (e.g., defending and modifying existing water rights and acquiring new water rights) for enhancing water supply and water resource resilience in response to climate change and increasing demand for water supplies. Documenting proven or new strategies for quantifying, securing, and protecting non-consumptive water rights (i.e., in-stream or in-situ water rights for natural or ecological purposes) during state water right hearings and adjudication processes. Providing advice and legal services on the topics of federal and state water law relating to laws and regulations of general applicability to Federal agencies, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and other relevant federal laws. Analyzing and interpreting federal statutes, rules and regulations, and other guidance, including program authorities, relating to the authority of contracting and program officials to meet departmental and program goals. Starting Salary Range Information: Denver and Fort Collins, CO: GS-13: $114,970 - $149,465 GS-14: $135,860-$ 176,620 NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. Requirements Conditions of Employment Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Must be an active member of the bar. Selectee may be subject to serving a 2-year trial period. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification of compliance upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system. Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued. Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties. Qualifications Basic Qualification Requirements Applicants must be law school graduates with LL.B. or J.D. degrees AND applicants must be an active member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar. Applicants must also meet one of the following:--possess at least 1-year of professional legal experience following law school graduation; OR--have a second professional law degree; OR--meet any of the criteria indicated below:(a) academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class;(b) graduation with academic honors;(c) significant participation on the law school's law review;(d) significant participation in the law school's moot court competition;(e) significant participation in a clinical legal aid program;(f) significant summer law office clerk experience; or(g) other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement. GS-13/14: In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements described above, applicants must also have the following additional years of professional legal experience for the grade level indicated: --GS-13 = 2 years --GS-14 = 3 ½ years 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. In order to better assess your qualifications for this position, when preparing your cover letter please address your experience and familiarity with the following area of the law: State water right statutes, regulations, and policies (especially for states in the western United States), administrative and judicial procedures for permitting, adjudicating, and administering state water right claims, state water right records and electronic databases, NEPA, and ESA. Additionally, please highlight your experience in providing legal analysis, evaluation, and guidance on water resource-related matters. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website:https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education Education: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements. Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 Additional Information Other Information: The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. If selected for this position, you may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification of compliance upon reporting and annually, some of which may be subject to public disclosure. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Agency Benefits: Working for the DOI, Office of the Solicitor offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. SOL has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on telework you may access the Department of Interior's Telework Handbook at https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.