Diné Development Corporation—RFP for Outside Legal Counsel Services

Diné Development Corporation (“DDC”), a corporation wholly owned by the Navajo Nation, is seeking proposals for outside counsel services to serve as general and special counsel to DDC and its subsidiaries. DDC’s headquarters are located in Scottsdale, Arizona.  DDC owns several subsidiaries that conduct federal contracting business in the areas of information technology and environmental services. DDC is soliciting responses for some or all of scope of legal services described in the “Scope of Legal Services” section of the Request for Proposals (RFP). A copy of the RFP can be obtained by emailing Kyla.Dubberstein@KutakRock.com.   The deadline for proposals is 12:00pm on June 1, 2021.  

RFOLD currently has one open position and is seeking applications by COB Monday May 17, 2021. Interested applicants should send a resume and a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position and why you believe you should be selected to Keith Weiner at Keith.Weiner@fema.dhs.gov with a copy to Cynthia Morrison at Cynthia.Morrison@fema.dhs.gov. The duty station for this position is Washington, D.C., however, due to the unique nature of RFOLD, other FEMA fixed facilities may be considered. The DACC for FO-Central will report to Mr. Keith Weiner, Associate Chief Counsel for RFOLD.

(1) IC-15 CORE Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, Field Operations (Central)

The Regional and Field Operations Legal Division (RFOLD) is seeking an extremely organized, competent, personable, and collaborative person to be the next Deputy Associate Chief Counsel for Field Operations – Central (DACC for FO-Central). The DACC for FO-Central will be the first level supervisor to approximately eight Deployable Field Counsel (DFC) attorneys and act as primary POC for the provision of field legal services to about a third of FEMA’s regions. Along with the other DACCs-FO and the OCC Cadre Coordinator, the DACC-FO Central will manage the deployment of our 95-strong cadre to disasters throughout the Nation and its territories.

FEMA’s Deployable Field Counsel team serve as the on-scene, attorneys who deploy to the Joint Field Offices across the Nation from Guam to the United States Virgin Islands. The DFC serve as the principal legal advisors to the Federal Coordinating Officers (FCOs) and field staff. Issues frequently involve complex Public Assistance projects, Individual Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation issues; reviewing documents and correspondence related to major and emergency disaster declarations; reviewing procurement/contracting matters; collaborating with headquarters counsel with respect to personnel law issues; working with headquarters litigators regarding litigation; and serving as an ethics official. The legal issues faced by the DFCs in the field are broad, and include nearly every agency program and operational function. As one of the leaders of this team, the DACC for FO-Central position is faced with unique challenges that are not faced by most OCC supervisors. You must lead and help your team to succeed in an often high stress environment and, yet, rarely have in-person contact.

Candidates must have at least five years of legal experience including at least four years of specialized experience that is directly related to the position being filled.  At least two of the four years of specialized experience must be at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the GS-14 level.  This is a CORE position.

The Mission Support Legal Division (MSLD) is seeking two Attorneys for detail to the Personnel Law Branch (PLB). Both details are located at FEMA HQ, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC, although full-time telework is authorized at least through August 31, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Detail #1 is at the GS/IC-14 level and requires favorable adjudication of a Tier 5 background investigation for a Top Secret clearance (critical-sensitive), which must be initiated as soon as possible. Therefore, the detail will not start until approximately the end of July to allow time for adjudication of the background investigation prior to the commencement of the detail. A temporary promotion is not authorized. The detailee will primarily provide legal support to the Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO), providing legal advice on all matters related to security (e.g., policy review, legal issues associated with personnel and physical security, as well as issues arising from the Security Compliance Division, and Fraud Investigations and Inspections Division) in disaster and steady-state contexts. The incumbent may also be assigned work supporting the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer (OCCHCO) and other program offices in reviewing disciplinary actions and policy review, as well as assisting with personnel litigation. The detailee will report to the PLB Principal Deputy. The detail will be a minimum of 90 days (CORE) or 120 days (PFT).

Detail #2 is at the GS/IC-13, or 14 level. The incumbent will primarily support the Office of the Chief Component Human Capital Officer (OCCHCO), as well as serving all FEMA programs from which personnel litigation arises, will perform some disciplinary and adverse actions and policy review and may be assigned or assist with litigation before administrative forums (labor arbitrations, MSPB, EEOC, state unemployment and FLRA). The incumbent reports to the PLB-West Branch Chief. The detail will be 120 days, but an extension of 60 days will be requested. The detail will begin as soon as practicable after the announcement closes and a selection is made.

Candidates must have strong writing and communication skills and the ability to work independently, and represent the agency at a high level both internally and externally. Candidates must possess at least three years of professional legal experience, at least one of which includes advising clients and reviewing policies, procedures, technical manuals and other publications for legal sufficiency. For Detail #1, experience with providing advice to a federal security office will receive positive consideration. For Detail #2, experience with oral advocacy before courts or administrative tribunals, drafting memoranda of fact and law, motions, pleadings, litigation reports, and specific labor and employment experience will receive positive consideration. Please note this in your application. Due to the nature of FEMA’s operations, successful candidates should show the ability to work remotely. In addition, as a FEMA employee, the incumbent is subject to being deployed to support FEMA disaster operations.

If you would like to be considered for one of these details, please send a resume, clearly stating for which detail it is to be considered, to:
Detail #1: Leigh Hoburg by COB Wednesday, May 12 via email at Leigh.Hoburg@fema.dhs.gov.
Detail #2: Ashley Darbo by COB Monday, May 17 via email at Ashley.Darbo@fema.dhs.gov.
If applying for both details, applicant must submit a resume for each.

Personnel Law Branch (PLB)

Closing dates:
COB May 3, 2020

Work schedule:
Full-time

Location:
Washington, D.C.

Summary:
PLB is responsible for providing advice on personnel issues and policies and defending FEMA’s personnel actions and decisions in administrative hearings.

Duties may include:
• Supporting the Department of Justice in developing and presenting litigation in the federal courts, or state and municipal courts.
• Litigating cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Merit Systems Protection Board, other administrative forums and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Represent the Agency before the FLRA and in Union arbitrations.
• Reviewing proposals, participating in negotiations and determinations of settlement of litigation, and recommending settlement of matters in accordance with agency, DHS, or OCC directives or policies.
• Preparing documentary evidence and witness testimony in support of dispositive motions or trial; preparing declarations and affidavits and directing investigations for the purpose of developing additional evidence in pending litigation.
• Preparing and providing trainings on various employment matters.
• Reviewing and making recommendations on proposed employment actions.
• Reviewing and making recommendations on legislation, regulations, or changes in existing policies, practices, and agency issuances to cure or eliminate problems

To qualify for this position at the IC-14 level, you must demonstrate:
At least three years of full-time professional legal experience gained after being admitted to the bar. The minimum three-year work experience requirement includes at least two years of specialized experience that is directly related to the position being filled. At least one of the two years of specialized experience must be at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the IC-13 level. Specialized experience for this position includes:

1. Independently managing and litigating a heavy caseload of administrative cases;
2. Independently producing well-articulated legal opinions, memoranda, and briefs regarding complex legal issues; and
3. Evaluating proposed legislation and regulations and its effects on existing policies, programs and operations.

Interested applicants must send resumes to Ashley Darbo, Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, at ashley.darbo@fema.dhs.gov by COB May 3, 2020. Please ensure your resume or cover letter identify the relevant professional experience you believe qualifies you for the 14 grade.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Customs and Border Protection
Office of the General Counsel

Open & closing dates
04/19/2021 to 05/10/2021

Work schedule
Full-time

Location:
Edinburg, TX 2 vacancies

Summary:
As our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is committed to delivering our mission to safeguard America’s borders and enable legitimate trade and travel. Staffing mission critical positions remains a high priority. Be reassured that CBP is still hiring, despite potential hiring process step delays due to restrictions to in-person activities.

Responsibilities
In this position, you will become a key member of the legal team for The Office of The Chief Counsel. Typical work assignments include:
o Providing legal advice to, and legal representation of, CBP officers in matters relating to the activities and functions of Customs and Border Protection (CBP);
o Performing legal research into laws, regulations, decisions, and other precedents bearing on legal issues involving CBP to included Customs and Immigration laws;
Etc. …

Basic Requirements:
Applicant must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

To See full job description:
USAJOBS – Job Announcement

How to Apply:
Submit your application electronically to:
rgv-occ@cbp.dhs.gov

Agency Contact info:
CBP Hiring Center
Phone: 952-857-2932
Email: CBPhiring-applicantinquiry@cbp.dhs.gov

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
DHS Headquarters
Office of the General Counsel

Open & closing dates
04/20/2021 to 04/19/2022

Work schedule
Full-time

Location:
Washington, DC

Summary:
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel, Operations and Enforcement Law Division (OELD).
The primary purpose of this position is to serve the Office of the General Counsel as a legal advisor. The individual will provide legal advice and litigation support in the areas of data privacy, biometrics, screening and vetting issues.

Responsibilities
As an Attorney-Advisor (Open Continuous) GS 0905 13/14, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:
o DHS operations pertaining to data privacy, biometrics, screening and vetting issues.
o Litigation support to federal, state, and international governments attorneys regarding data privacy, biometrics and screening and vetting issues.
o Provide legal advice, as required, regarding other DHS operational and/or enforcement matters.

Basic Requirements:
You as an applicant must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND…

How to Apply:
USAJOBS – Job Announcement

Agency Contact info:
Lori Pollacci
Phone: 2023578668
Email: lori.pollacci@hq.dhs.gov
Address:
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528

Closing Date:
Open until filled

Location:
Ignacio, CO

Summary:
Under the supervision of the Legal Department Director, attorney will serve as a member of the Tribe’s Legal Department, with principal responsibility for representing the Tribe on water matters. Where time allows, the attorney will represent the Tribe in other matters that require the Legal Department’s attention, including code review and drafting, litigation, contract review,
and employment matters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Evaluates potential opportunities and threats associated with the Tribe’s water rights
   portfolio.
2. Stays abreast of State and Federal water law changes, informing necessary legal and
   Tribal staff and recommending action when needed.
3. Advocates and lobbies, individually and with the Tribe’s lobbyists, on State and Federal
   water policy and legislation that impacts tribal water.
   Etc.…

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Must have graduated from an accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in one or more state jurisdictions.
• Must have at least 5 years of experience practicing water law as an attorney.
• Must have working knowledge of federal Indian water rights and how they interact with
State rights.
• Must have working knowledge of Colorado water law and Law of the Colorado River.
Etc.

How to Apply:
https://careers.southernute.com/pfund