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Employment Opportunities - Details

Office of the Governor
Position - Legal Counsel

SUMMARY

Location - Pago Pago, American Samoa

Status - Full time (in person)

Salary & Benefits 

  • $65,000/year.

  • $1000 Monthly housing allowance.

  • $500 Monthly utility allowance.

  • $5000 bonus upon satisfactory completion of the first year of a two-year contract.

  • $5000 bonus upon satisfactory completion of the second year of a two-year contract

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Details

About the Job

The Governor of American Samoa seeks an attorney to act as Legal Counsel. The Legal Counsel must be comfortable balancing a fast-paced environment and long-term projects that involve novel areas of the law. Broad experience in government and legislative drafting is especially valued.

 

American Samoa is a territory that consists of tropical islands in the South Pacific. It has a unique political status among U.S. territories, giving rise to interesting legal issues.  The territory will provide transportation for the person selected and their immediate family to the Territory.  Work can begin remotely, but the Legal Counsel must move to American Samoa.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide legal advice to the governor, lieutenant governor, and senior staff in the governor's office

  • Draft correspondences, memoranda, executive orders, and administrative requests for legislation

  • Review and draft various legal documents for the Governor

  • Take preemptive measures to avoid legal risks and conflicts

  • Review, analyze, and advise on numerous, varied, and complex legal issues spanning the full scope of the territorial government’s legal and policy needs

  • This list is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the office and the overall needs of the office. 

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QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be eligible to practice law in American Samoa (liberal rules for admission by motion for lawyers from other U.S. jurisdictions); 

  • Three plus years' of legal work preferred;

  • Ability to complete a 2-year contract on a small, tropical island;

  • Able to interpret territorial and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

 

PREFERENCES

  • Admitted to the bar in American Samoa

  • Experience drafting legislation and or administrative rules

  • Experience acting as  counsel to government agencies.

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CONTRACT

Initial employment will be for a two-year contract.  Further employment may be as a political appointee or a contract-specialist.

 

REPORT

Reports to the Chief Legal Counsel.

 

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for 3 professional references to the Chief Legal Counsel at legal@go.as.gov. Those chosen to advance to an interview will be contacted.

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APPLY NOW

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secretaryofamericansamoa@go.as.gov

(684) 633-OSAS (6727)

Office Hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

©2023 by Secretary of American Samoa.

Funding Provided by the United States Department of the Interior

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