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Attorney-Advisor (General)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
May 31, 2019
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) in the General Law Division, Labor and Employment Law Branch), which is physically located in Northwest, D.C.

The primary purpose of this position is to work on a wide range of labor and employment matters, independently representing the Department in high-profile matters, providing drafting assistance on legislation and regulations, and advising on matters of legal interpretation and Department-wide policies.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As an Attorney-Advisor (General) GS 0905 14/15 your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

As an Attorney Advisor you will:
  • Perform legal analysis and research, conduct necessary conferences and consultation to provide litigation support and legal counsel to the Department's senior leadership on the full spectrum of Federal sector labor and employment law issues.
  • Negotiate complex and unique issues, often with high-level personnel, individuals from various parts of the Department, and individuals from the other Federal agencies, to obtain the necessary balance between conflicting interests, factual issues, and policy considerations. Maintain continuing liaison with clients and component counsel.
  • Represent the Department before various administrative tribunals to include the Merit System Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and the Office of Special Counsel.
  • Assist the Department of Justice in litigation involving labor and/or employment matters in U.S. Federal district and appellate courts.
  • Work with the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer on disciplinary and adverse action proposals and decisions, workforce policies, and other personnel-related matters.
  • Ensure that labor and employment law issues are properly considered in Departmental planning and policy development.
  • Conduct complex legal research and analysis and develop memoranda or present results to senior officials in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner while keeping supervisors fully informed.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U. S. Citizenship Required
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation
  • You must be able to obtain a SECRET Security Clearance
  • You must submit to a pre-employment drug test
  • You must submit a Financial Disclosure Form


Qualifications

You as an applicant must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, and be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

AND, meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated below:

GS-14 or GS-15:
1. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD); or
2. The second professional law degree (LL.M.) AND
3. Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.

Specialized Experience:
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will evaluate eligible candidates based on the following criteria:
OGC will rate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. OGC will consider relevant skills and experience, education and training, performance, and awards. The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application.

For this position, specialized experience includes experience applicant must have experience in private industry, public service, or non-profit that is equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is significant experience providing legal advice and representation on matters related to the legal topics listed in the "Responsibilities" section above.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Applicants must be a graduate of a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If qualifying based on your education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html .

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage.

Additional information

For Alternate Application Information please go to: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Employee Benefits."

This position may be filled at the GS-14 or GS-15 level. If selection is made at the GS-14 level, promotion to the GS-15 level may occur without further competition.

Selectee will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.
Permanent Change of Duty Station Expenses will not be paid.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for SECRET SECURITY LEVEL clearance as a condition of placement in this NONCRITICAL SENSITIVITY LEVEL position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job:
  • Ability to research, analyze, and communicate applicable laws and regulations, provide interpretations of those laws and regulations to the DHS General Counsel and other DHS Officials.
  • Ability to analyze and communicate complex legal issues, including issues relating to labor laws and employment laws.
  • Ability to effectively represent the federal government in administrative litigation and to provide significant litigation support for matters pending in federal court.


  • Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Secret

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Required Documents

  • Your résumé.
  • Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10473770
  • Submit a copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable). Applicants must be graduates of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
  • A legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages
  • Submit proof that you are a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • Are you a current or former Federal employee? You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s.
  • Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience. If you are determined to be best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Please provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.
  • Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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