Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:
Incumbent performs legal research in final form, on a variety of the most complex and difficult legal problems in all areas of responsibility of the Office of General Counsel. These areas include but are not limited to procurement law, litigation, and legislation, including agency authorities, and administrative law as outlined below

Legal Research and Problem Resolution
Independently researches the legal questions which arise under regulations, lawsuits, executive orders and other administrative actions involving major Federal statutes affecting the Agency's programs.

Legal Advice
Provides legal advice regarding Federal matters common to most Federal agencies. Independently provides answers to clear-cut issues and to questions for which there are several options from which to choose the most appropriate response.

General Legal Advice
Advice is provided to USAGM senior staff regarding general issues common to most Federal agencies, such as labor relations, employment and personnel law, federal government contracting, intellectual property, administrative Law, Freedom of Information and Privacy law.

Litigation Matters
Coordinates litigation in connection with specific matters arising within USAGM. Conducts discovery (including research of precedent, interviewing potential witnesses, determining what further facts are needed, obtaining technical interpretation of factual issues) and prepares memoranda or reports outlining the facts and issues of the case requiring action to be taken. Prepares litigation strategy for discussion with a senior attorney and/or supervisor within the Office of General Counsel. Prepares cases for administrative forums such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals as well as trials to be conducted by U.S. Attorneys or the U.S. Department of Justice.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by closing date of the announcement to be considered.
• Applicants must complete online questionnaire.
• If you are a male applicant, born after 12/31/59, you are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act. The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• This is a public trust. If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-86.
• Suitability Determination: If selected, you will be subject to a background investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The background investigation will include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
• This position is not covered by a Union Agreement
• Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application. If selected, selectee will be required to submit official transcript before entering on duty.
• The full performance grade level for this position is GS-13.
• Proof of current active member in good standing in the bar of a State, District of Columbia, territory of the United States, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Employee must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney
• Applicants must complete a 2 year trial period.
• The Office of General Counsel is at present operating on a 100% Telework Pilot Program and therefore; location may be negotiable after selection anywhere in United States

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
Applicants MUST: Meet the minimum education requirements of successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) with a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); AND Must be a current, active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia.

GS-11 REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J. D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• Advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform legal work.

GS-12 REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J. D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• Attorneys performing duties at the GS-12 or equivalent-level positions are expected to perform independently when working on the complex or difficult matters. Thus, the applicant must have one year of professional (attorney) legal experience and advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform complex legal work.

GS-13 REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J. D.); AND
• Membership in a State or District of Columbia bar; AND
• Graduation from an ABA-Accredited Law School in the top 25% of the class or an advanced law degree such as an LL.M. may substitute for one year of the required professional legal experience.
• Attorneys performing duties at the GS-13 or equivalent-level positions are expected to perform with substantial independence, even when working on the most complex or difficult matters. Thus, the applicant must have 2 year of professional legal experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities as outlined below:

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to employment law; Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act and Ethics;
• Knowledge, skill, and ability to serve as a general attorney, provide advice and litigation representation to senior management officials in a variety of forums, and on a variety of legal issues;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and to provide clear and convincing legal advice and opinions on a wide variety of matters to senior staff, other government members, and contractors and Ability to deal with individuals and groups of varied technical and professional backgrounds.
• Advanced educational attainments that clearly indicate the ability to independently perform legal work.

Education

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION:

Attorney positions do have an education requirement. Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D. For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

In addition you must provide proof of active bar membership .

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page . If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions .

Additional information

If you are an eligible Inter agency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 80 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit a DD-214 (copy # 2 or 4 - member copy); veterans who are claiming disabled veteran preference must also submit a VA disability letter and a SF-15; AND, applicants seeking widow or other special veterans preference must submit a SF-15 and all documents indicated for their specific form of preference.

If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across USAGM.