Duties

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is currently seeking several Legislative Attorneys for its American Law Division (ALD). The Legislative Attorneys will analyze legal questions related to constitutional law, administrative law, or courts and civil procedure in particular and American public law in general. This is a non-litigating position emphasizing legal research, analysis, writing, and consultation in a public service legislative context.

The Legislative Attorney will work within ALD, one of CRS's five research divisions. ALD's areas of research, analysis, and consultative support include all facets of law in the United States, including administrative, business, civil rights, constitutional, energy, environmental, health, immigration, intellectual property, international, labor, military, national security, procurement, tax, and trade law.

The Legislative Attorney prepares objective, non-partisan analytical studies, descriptive and background memoranda, and reports on legal issues of national significance; provides personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on legal issues throughout the legislative process; and participates in or leads team research projects and seminars. The incumbent is expected to develop the skills necessary to provide legal analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels.

Candidates with analytical experience in and broad general knowledge of legal issues regarding constitutional law, administrative law, or courts and civil procedure in particular and American public law in general AND strong research, writing, and oral communication skills AND who possess a portfolio of high-quality legal analytical writing are encouraged to apply. Experience as a judicial clerk would be particularly beneficial.

The position's foundational focus is the broad area of constitutional law, administrative law, or courts and civil procedure. However, given ALD's relatively small staff and the breadth of issues ALD covers for Congress, candidates must be capable of working in a number of different areas of the law and have the intellectual curiosity to seek out and maintain a broad portfolio of legal issues.

Legislative Attorney duties include:

Preparing authoritative reports on legal issues of legislative interest, including surveys and explanations of existing law, comparisons of laws and bills, the activities and legal positions of government and private entities, the progress and implications of significant litigation, and analysis of the legal framework that applies to topics of current legislative focus.

Preparing probing and innovative legal memoranda in response to inquiries from congressional offices and committees. These memoranda often address complex legal questions within the attorney's field of law and relate to the development, interpretation, or implementation of important public policies.

Responding to congressional office and committee requests for oral briefings and consultations. In such consultations, CRS legislative attorneys educate congressional personnel about existing law, clarify legal questions, identify and discuss legal options, and assist them in understanding the legal framework necessary to develop and implement their legislative purposes.

Making full use of the Library of Congress's research capabilities to locate, organize, summarize, and interpret legal information in support of service to Congress, and drawing on information available from other institutions, research materials, or professionals in the field.

Ensuring that the Constitution Annotated of the United States , the official record of the U.S. Constitution, remains accurate and timely through historical research, analysis and memorialization of current developments in constitutional law, and review and assimilation of practice materials and academic discourse.

Advising and assisting other legislative attorneys, analysts, and specialists through provision of legal analysis and information in support of their service to Congress.

Preparing and delivering oral presentations at CRS seminars and other outreach programs.

The position description number for this position is 004712. While there is promotion potential to a GS 15, the selectee may not be hired at a level above GS 13, regardless of current salary or position at the time of application.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position may work a flexitime work schedule.

The tour of duty for this position is full-time.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of constitutional law, administrative law, or courts and civil procedure in particular and American public law in general**

Ability to analyze legal issues**

Ability to write in a legal context**

Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure environment.

Ability to work collaboratively with others.

Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion.

Education

Basic Requirements

Applicants must possess an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Appointees must maintain active membership in good standing of the bar throughout their employment.

The following documents MUST BE ATTACHED to your online application:

Legible copies of transcripts demonstrating that applicant is a graduate from an LL.B. or J.D., or higher degree program in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law must be attached to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of the application. Official documents will be required if selected.

Proof of bar membership demonstrating that applicant is an active (or equivalent) member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Finalists for these positions may be required to submit a writing sample and/or participate in a presentation exercise.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.