About the Position: As an Attorney-Adviser, you are responsible for researching, analyzing and providing legal advice during various stages of the real estate acquisition process. The duty location may be negotiated after selection. The actual salary will be based on the geographic location of the individual(s) selected for this position.
Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Attorney-Adviser (Real Property): A. Degree: full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LL.B or JD). (must provide a copy) In addition to meeting the education basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: Two or more years of professional legal experience which includes 1) providing legal advice during various stages of the real estate acquisition process.; 2) reviewing legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies. 3) drafting documents associated with real estate acquisitions; 4) Preparing attorney title opinions consistent with statutory and constitutional requirements; 5) Reviewing all legal instruments and/or documents with potential legal ramifications. (Experience must be documented in your resume.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position: must possess either an advance law degree such as an LLM (masters of law) or graduated with a distinguished record from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class which may be substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience after being admitted to the bar. Examples of this experience are: 1) providing legal advice during various stages of the real estate acquisition process.; 2) reviewing legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies. 3) drafting documents associated with real estate acquisitions; 4) Preparing attorney title opinions consistent with statutory and constitutional requirements; 5) Reviewing all legal instruments and/or documents with potential legal ramifications. (Experience must be documented in your resume.) Bar Membership: An applicant must currently be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (must provide a copy) Fitness to Practice Law: An applicant must currently be fit to practice law. If your fitness to practice law, or your conduct has ever been challenged you must submit a sworn statement giving the facts and circumstances, together with any explanations you consider appropriate. The sworn statement should be notarized and dated within 3 months of the date of your application. (If you are currently employed as an attorney with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this requirement does not apply to you). Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).
Review proposed government acquisition of land, interests in land and acquisition packages covering direct purchase, leases, easements, or donation of real property.
Research, analyze and provide legal advice during various stages of the real estate acquisition process.
Conduct public records research and reviews conveyance and mortgage records in order to ascertain title ownership data and to identify encumbrances and liens on property.
Determine whether there are any encumbrances or title deficiencies and, if so, develops and recommends curative actions to be taken.
Identify and draft legal instruments, such as releases, disclaimers, and subordination documents or reviews documents prepared by paralegals.
Serve as a qualified Closing Agent, responsible for the preparation, review and clearance of all necessary documents for acquisitions and/or relocations.
Prepare and coordinate the Condemnation Assembly, to include drafting the Opinion of Title for Condemnation.
Review Contracts, Affidavits, Permits, Rights of Entry, Releases, Mortgages, Assignments, and other legal instruments prepared by paralegals, attorneys, and/or real estate professionals.