General Attorney
Position Overview
Attorneys at DOI may focus on legal issues related to employment and labor, Indian law including trust litigation and water rights, natural resources, environmental protection, realty and contracts, energy, or procurement and acquisitions. They work to prevent or resolve legal problems by providing sound advice and ensuring that DOI’s business is transacted legally.
This position is represented at the following bureaus
Candidate Description
The ideal candidate will have excellent skills in oral and written communication, research and analysis, complex problem solving and critical thinking, and can work effectively with others.
Specialty Areas
Trial Attorney; Attorney-Adviser; Attorney-Examiner; General Attorney
Work Environment
Work is performed in an office setting
Minimum Education Requirements
Candidates must have a J.D. or L.L.B. degree and must be, at the time of appointment, a current, active member in good standing of a State, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.
Career Level Requirements
Responsibilities by Level
Mid:
- Conducting legal research
- Assisting with interviewing, preparing, and examining witnesses
- Drafting legal opinions and other legal documents
- Interpreting regulations and laws in response to questions
Journey:
- Preparing and negotiating transactional documents on behalf of the Department
- Advising agency officials during negotiations
- Providing consultation on complex legal matters
- Preparing and presenting legal education and training on specialty areas
Senior:
- Mentoring staff attorneys
- Overseeing legal programs
- Advising top officials and program managers in the Department on the most complex and sensitive legal issues
Strengths by Level
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AccountabilityHolds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Attention to DetailIs thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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ComplianceKnowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Decision MakingMakes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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External AwarenessIdentifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Influencing/NegotiatingPersuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Legal, Government, and JurisprudenceKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, Government regulations, Executive orders, agency rules, Government organization and functions, and the democratic political process.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Oral CommunicationExpresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Organizational AwarenessKnows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Problem SolvingIdentifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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ReasoningIdentifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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Technical CompetenceUses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
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WritingRecognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.Show Tool TipMid 9-11Journey 12-13Senior 14-15
Common Pathways
Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...
Program Management
Where We Are
DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."