Posted June 17, 2026
Principal Deputy Regional Attorney
Office of the General Counsel
Davis, CA
Full Time
Compensation: $204,122 to $216,010 Annually
Reference: OfficeoftheGeneralCounsel873203800
This position is designated as SES, General. USDA structures its SES positions into position levels. This is a position level 2 with a salary range of $204,122 - $216,010 per year. Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards. Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/ for additional information and benefits for SES employees. A professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school, Law School transcript required AND active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. DO NOT submit separate Executive Core Qualifications/Technical Qualifications in lieu of a resume.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES using 0.8-inch margins and 11-point font. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must address the ECQs. Your resume must address each ECQ and should describe your experiences and accomplishments/results. Your resume should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions.
NOTE: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs.
1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness)
2. Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology)
3. Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skills, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience)
4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement)
5. Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operation Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking)
For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit SES Executive Core Qualifications.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ):
In addition to the ECQs, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet the following technical qualification(s).
1. Describe demonstrated litigation experience regarding, and experience leading teams that support litigation of the many statutes and regulations that apply generally to all aspects of the management of federally-owned forests and grasslands. These include, but are not limited to, the following: National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act of 1976, Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, Federal Tort Claims Act 3. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and fiscal laws. Describe knowledge of and experience in handling contract and Administrative Procedure Act challenges in coordination with US Department of Justice. The incumbent should have experience in handling multi-million dollar cases with Offices of the United States Attorney and the national headquarters of DOJ.
2. Describe demonstrated knowledge and experience regarding the Indian Self-Determination Act, all aspects of national environmental laws, and the Federal Torts Claim Act.
3. Describe demonstrated experience in providing sound legal advice and counsel to senior executives and management officials in analyzing complex legal problems, in making sound legal decisions, and in supervising and managing highly skilled attorneys and support staff.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES using 0.8-inch margins and 11-point font. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must address the ECQs. Your resume must address each ECQ and should describe your experiences and accomplishments/results. Your resume should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions.
NOTE: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs.
1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness)
2. Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology)
3. Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skills, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience)
4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement)
5. Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operation Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking)
For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit SES Executive Core Qualifications.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ):
In addition to the ECQs, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet the following technical qualification(s).
1. Describe demonstrated litigation experience regarding, and experience leading teams that support litigation of the many statutes and regulations that apply generally to all aspects of the management of federally-owned forests and grasslands. These include, but are not limited to, the following: National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act of 1976, Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, Federal Tort Claims Act 3. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and fiscal laws. Describe knowledge of and experience in handling contract and Administrative Procedure Act challenges in coordination with US Department of Justice. The incumbent should have experience in handling multi-million dollar cases with Offices of the United States Attorney and the national headquarters of DOJ.
2. Describe demonstrated knowledge and experience regarding the Indian Self-Determination Act, all aspects of national environmental laws, and the Federal Torts Claim Act.
3. Describe demonstrated experience in providing sound legal advice and counsel to senior executives and management officials in analyzing complex legal problems, in making sound legal decisions, and in supervising and managing highly skilled attorneys and support staff.
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