Attorney Advisor (Development Law)
The Office of Development Law supports national goals of infrastructure modernization and network expansion by counseling FRA's Office of Railroad Development on legal requirements for project delivery and infrastructure investment. Staff attorneys manage complex portfolios including federal financial assistance, environmental compliance (National Environmental Policy Act/National Historic Preservation Act), and the agency's comprehensive legal relationship with Amtrak.
As an Attorney Advisor (Development Law), you will advise on: Financial Assistance and Project Delivery: Draft and negotiate grant agreements and advise on legal requirements for federal funding, including 2 CFR Part 200 and Buy America provisions and fiscal law matters. Liaise with the Build America Bureau on federal loans. Environmental & Historic Preservation: Provide counsel on NEPA, NHPA, and related regulations for infrastructure projects. Amtrak Portfolio Support: Advise on FRA's interests in Amtrak, including lien holdings, and grants for operating and capital needs throughout the country. Legislative Support: Provide technical assistance regarding intercity passenger rail legislation and railroad development grant programs. Litigation: Represent the agency in litigation and administrative matters related to the Development Law portfolio. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of and experience in a wide range of legal practice areas affecting the transportation industry, including specifically: administrative law; financial assistance programs, including grants; legislation and regulations; and environmental and historic preservation laws, regulations, and guidance. *PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (1 year) vacancy announcement. Given our continuing need for top professionals in this field, we will review applications after the first 21 days of the vacancy opening for early consideration. Then after, applications will be reviewed on an as needed basis.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. TRIAL PERIOD: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period. ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: All employees are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 2635, including restrictions on owning financial interests that may conflict with performance of their duties. Some employees, like those involved in contracting or regulating non-Federal entities, are subject to Executive Branch Financial Disclosure requirements set out in Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 263. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.