Attachment 2 Dated April 27, 1998

**APPENDIX TO PERSONNEL LETTER NO. 511-7**

**GS-905 ATTORNEY OCCUPATIONAL SERIES**

# SUBJECT

TECHNICAL CAREER PATH (TCP) DEVELOPMENT AND STAFFING PROGRAM FOR
ATTORNEYS

# I. PURPOSE

To implement a Technical Career Path (TCP) Development and Staffing
program that identifies and provides developmental opportunities for
potential career advancement to the GS-15 grade level for all
professional employees in the GS-905 Attorney Series in the event that
business needs justify technical (non-managerial) positions at the GS-15
level. This appendix establishes program criteria where current or
anticipated new business requirements warrant in-house expertise at the
higher grade level [and]{.underline} where individual employees either
have, or have high potential to develop, the exceptional knowledge,
skill, ability and competency to perform at that level.

Opportunities for advanced grade level status provide incentive for
attorneys to develop the unique skills and technical expertise needed in
a highly sophisticated and complex business. These unique positions will
provide BPA with appropriate in-house skills for significant impact and
a competitive advantage in the utility marketplace.

## II. COVERAGE

This appendix covers all professional employees in the GS-905 Attorney
Series. Guidance provided is intended to assure consistent application
of the TCP within the flexibility described in this program.

# III. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. [Human Resources (HR)]{.underline}: Provides guidance and advice for
implementing a consistent, equitable Technical Career Path for all
employees in professional GS-905 Attorney positions at BPA. Human
Resources will provide HR technical direction and assistance to the
General Counsel and Assistant General Counsels, and will effect
resulting personnel actions, consistent with regulatory criteria and the
provisions of this program.

B. [The General Counsel]{.underline}:

1\. Assesses, based on current and emerging business opportunities,
needs for in-house specialized attorney skills at the highest level.
Identifies areas of law that present opportunities for attorneys to
advance their education and capabilities where those skills are
essential to business success. As a result, establishes Technical Career
Path positions at the GS-15 level, consistent with BPA's business needs.

2\. Determines the appropriate means for creating such GS-15 level
positions, including the area of consideration for applicants. For
example, this could be done either in anticipation of or at the time BPA
has a need for such expertise. Additionally, if such a position is
encumbered, this could be done when the position is vacated or could be
done in advance by, among other means, creating an understudy position.

3\. To the extent feasible, the General Counsel will seek to obtain
funding required for business related developmental training (travel,
registration, tuition, and related expenses) and participation in
external professional organizations.

C. [Assistant General Counsels]{.underline}:

1\. Discuss with the incumbents of each TCP position the developmental
expectations and methods for that position, including promotion
potential.

2\. Consider opportunities to enhance their skills and grow
professionally through work assignments, training, and career mentoring,
in needed specialized areas of law consistent with business needs.

D. [Attorneys]{.underline}:

Consistent with any development plan approved by the supervisors under
this program:

1\. Initiate personal growth, with the aid of training and other
developmental opportunities, into identified needed specialized areas of
the law that are of high value to BPA's business success. This includes
identifying steps that would increase their expertise in the identified
area of law and associated technical areas that could, after the steps
are taken, result in additional development and/or promotion. It also
addresses specific actions that could enhance possession of the criteria
identified under paragraph IV.B.

2\. Apply themselves to such growth and development with appropriate
personal commitment to increase knowledge and experience by seeking,
developing, and accepting assignments.

3\. Attorneys at advanced grade levels are accountable for results that
improve BPA's competitive advantage, which includes sharing their
knowledge with others within BPA.

**IV. GUIDANCE**

A. [Establishing Advanced Grade Level Attorney Positions]{.underline}

1\. [Position Justification]{.underline} -- Any advanced Grade Level
attorney positions at the GS-15 level will be justified based on
critical current or emerging business requirements as determined by the
General Counsel. The amount of workload in each area of law will be
assessed and Business Line executives will be consulted regarding the
business need for each GS-15 position. The requirements should be of
multi-year duration to warrant a GS-15 as a permanent position.

Decisions by the General Counsel on specific program areas, where
in-house legal expertise at the GS-15 level is needed, would be
justified based on criteria such as:

a\. Importance of the area of law, and associated technical expertise,
to meeting BPA's mission;

b\. Importance of the area of law, and associated technical expertise,
to competitive advantage or success;

c\. Relatively large amounts of money are involved;

d\. Critical or controversial program decisions must be made by BPA;

e\. Strategic objectives or business line targets that require having a
leadership role in the particular legal area, taking into account
associated technical expertise.

2\. [Qualifying Factors]{.underline} -- Specialized legal expertise and
associated technical expertise, exceeding that required of GS-14
attorneys, within the broad GS-905 Attorney Series, is required where
creation of a GS-15 position will satisfy at least one of the following
factors:

a\. Minimize substantial risks and/or deliver solutions of significant
benefit to the agency mission;

b\. Contribute to formulating and implementing significant BPA strategic
and policy objectives;

c\. Secure BPA's business interests and concerns in the region and the
industry.

B. [Illustrative Evaluation Criteria for
Development/Selection/Promotion]{.underline}

The knowledge, skills, and responsibility levels for the GS-15 level are
described in the GS-15 classification standards. Verbal, analytical,
writing, and advocacy skills are considered critical to BPA. The
specific criteria required for a position will be determined by the
General Counsel. The following list of criteria are illustrative and
could be considered typical of the type and level of experience needed
to advance to a GS-15 position.

1\. Advanced knowledge and recognized expertise in the specialty area
are relevant to the GS-15 position, which may be evidenced by continuing
experience in: (a) writing briefs, memos, contracts, requests for
litigation, or other relevant documents in the relevant subject matter
area; (b) carrying out and reporting on individual investigations in the
relevant subject matter area; and/or (c) serving as an advisor on
projects of others in the relevant subject matter area with direct
application to the business needs of the organization.

2\. Substantial experience as an advisor or authority to the highest
level of management in resolving legal problems of a critical or
controversial nature in the specialty area relevant to the GS-15
position.

3\. Demonstrated expertise through national and international
communications, advanced training and educational experience, and
specialized work assignments.

4\. Experience in preparing subject matter guidelines and standards used
by programs in BPA.

5\. Substantial experience in formulating, determining, and
substantially influencing legal policies and standards for the agency in
essential program areas.

6\. Substantial experience in undertaking legal projects and program
activities and effectively presenting results to executive management.

7\. Experience in representing BPA on interagency groups or on
committees of bar associations or other pertinent organizations of
national importance as a recognized authority in the specialty area, and
effectively conveying BPA's position to the legal community in the
specialty area.

8\. Experience in articulating the long term vision and focus of legal
issues in the relevant subject matter area.

9\. Demonstrated expertise in recommending improvement in methods and
practices to incorporate latest developments in law in the area of
specialization.

The criteria determined by the General Counsel for a GS-15 position will
be evaluated in the context of, and as they relate to, the program area
requiring the GS-15 position. As such, both legal and technical
expertise will be evaluated.

**V. PROGRAM REVIEW**

The General Counsel will review this program's effectiveness biennially,
including determining the need for continuing existing positions or for
adding new positions.

Veronica L. Williams

Manager, Human Resources