Attorney Advisor

Job Duties

This a federal grant-funded position and, by law, applicants must be age 55 or older to be considered.

The enrollee will begin working 100% on‑site at the agency. After the initial period, and pending agency needs and approval, the enrollee may become eligible for a hybrid or remote schedule.

The Department of the Interior Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) exercises the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to conduct hearings and decide appeals from decisions of the bureaus and offices of the Department of the Interior. The OHA handles the probating of Indian trust estates, ensuring that individual Indian interests in allotted lands, their proceeds, and other trust assets are conveyed to the decedents’ rightful heirs and beneficiaries.

This position will support the Probate Hearings Division Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) and Indian Probate Judges (IPJ) for in-person or virtual hearings. Enrollees will apply the specialized rules of practice of the Department and the OHA in the conduct of hearings; follow processes for case docket management; and utilize a control system to monitor the status of cases.

Duty*

Act as duly appointed master under the supervision of ALJs and IPJs in Indian Probate cases. Administer oaths and affirmations. Conduct on the record evidentiary hearings under the supervision of ALJs and IPJs.

Percentage* 40%

Duty*

Address motions pertaining to the propriety or adequacy of the pleadings involved. Consider testimony and the admissibility of evidence. Address motions involving questions of law and procedure.

Percentage* 20%

Duty*

Regulate the conduct of witnesses, attorneys, and the course of hearings, including examination and cross-examination of witnesses, as necessary for the full development of the record. Hear the oral arguments of the parties, considering their written briefs, and proposing findings of fact and conclusions of law. Perform factual and legal research on a variety of difficult issues in diverse subject areas, where precedents are sometimes not available, and drafting orders, legal memoranda, and decisions.

Percentage* 20%

Duty*

Implement and provide support for modernization efforts including fully implementing the use of electronic filing and case docket management system.

Percentage* 10%

Duty*

While independently conducting hearings of a less complex nature, and ensuring an orderly process which includes eliciting and analyzing testimony, evidence, and pertinent records from the parties, the Attorney-Advisors will make reviewable determinations with respect to whether evidence is material or admissible, witness credibility, or any other rulings or interpretations that are finally binding upon the OHA or the parties. For every recommended hearing outcome, an ALJ or IPJ will be able to review the complete record of decisions leading to that recommendation, which will also be transparent to the parties. The parties will be told that the Attorney-Advisors are not federal government employees and are acting in an advisory and assistive role. The Attorney-Advisors will apply clearly stated procedural and substantive rules within a limited range of discretion under supervision of an ALJ or IPJ.

Percentage* 10%

Minimum Education Required

JD degree (LLB also acceptable)

Minimum Experience Required

Minimum 15 years of experience in attorney roles

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

2

Veterans Encouraged to Apply

Yes

Physical Required

No

Drug Test Required

No

Compensation

$44.00 - $44.00 / Hourly

Postal Code

55437

Job Type

Part Time

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

PMBOHA-001-003

Job Benefits

Accrued sick time.