Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Division of Fair Labor Standards within the Office of the Solicitor. The Division is responsible for appellate litigation and the preparation of regulations, interpretations, and opinions to assist the Wage and Hour Division with the administration and enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act and other labor standards laws. The Division also provides legal services to assist with the administration and enforcement of numerous whistleblower protection laws.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Division of Fair Labor Standards is responsible for the overall planning and direction of the Department's administration and enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act (including child labor), Family and Medical Leave Act, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act, various contract labor standards statutes (including the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and the Service Contract Act), various worker protection provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), numerous whistleblower protection laws, and other laws. The incumbent is assigned work in these program areas that typically involves novel, complex and sensitive matters. The complexity of the work and the degree of independence expected of the incumbent increase from GS 12-to the GS-14 level.

Appellate Litigation : The incumbent handles appellate cases before U.S. Courts of Appeals and an administrative appellate court arising under the above-reference statutes. For all assigned cases, which include those in which the Department is a party and those in which the Department has determined that participation as amicus curiae is appropriate, the incumbent drafts the brief(s) and any motions or other appropriate filings and presents oral argument. The incumbent also works on cases in U.S. District Courts in which actions of the Wage and Hour Division are challenged.

Regulatory Projects : The incumbent works with the Wage and Hour Division to draft proposed and final regulations to be issued under the above-referenced laws for publication in the Federal Register. In addition, the incumbent drafts and/or reviews related compliance assistance materials, as well as sub-regulatory guidance where appropriate, before they are disseminated to the public.

Client Advice : The incumbent reviews interpretations, opinions, rulings, and other materials prepared by the Wage and Hour Division and Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs. The incumbent analyzes legislative materials and correspondence received by the Department to determine whether they raise issues under the statutes administered by the Division and prepare comments expressing the Department's interests.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be needed, but travel is not often.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor's recommendation to the next grade.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a trial period if the requirement has not been met.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); be a member in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the U.S.; and have acquired the amount of experience indicated below for each grade level.

GS-12, one (1) years of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level.

GS-13, two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level.

GS-14, three (3) years of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year of qualifying experience, at this level, must be specialized experience as defined below.

Specialized experience is defined as experience in performing legal work, such as researching and analyzing issues, drafting briefs or legal memoranda, and advising clients, that is performed with a higher degree of independence. Experience with legal work involving the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or other laws assigned to the division would be an advantage but is not necessary.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position will be further evaluated against the following evaluation factors. Current and/or past supervisors may be contacted unless specified otherwise. A panel and/or the selecting official or his/her designee may interview applicants.

Evaluation Factors:

1. Demonstrated skill in researching and preparing well-written, organized, and persuasive legal documents.
2. Ability to make effective oral presentations in a clear and concise manner.
3. Ability to represent the Department in litigation. Litigation experience, especially appellate experience, a plus.
4. Ability to establish and maintain effective liaison with high level departmental officials, regional program officials, supervisors, agency staff, and the general public.
5. Ability to multi-task in a complex and fast-paced inter-disciplinary legal environment, entailing timely collections of facts, identification and resolution of issues, enumeration of options, and formulation of recommendations.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply sufficient information to provide a basis for rating each of the evaluation factors listed above.

Individuals who meet eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility/Core Questions #24 and 27 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview).

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you.

- Cover Letter: are a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position is required.

- Bar Certification: Should you be selected for this position, you will be required to submit documentation verifying that you are an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution. This letter and/or certificate should be dated within the last six months of the closing date of this job announcement.

- Transcripts: Should you be selected for this position, you will be required to submit documentation verifying that you have completed your first professional law degree. Applicants who claim substitution of education for experience with an LL.M must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.

- Veterans Documents (if applicable):
Attorney appointments within the Department of Labor are positions in the excepted service, not the competitive service. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference in attorney appointments; however, the Department of Labor considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. In order to receive positive consideration, you must indicate your eligibility, in response to the appropriate item on the vacancy questionnaire. Additionally, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD214 showing the type of discharge and dates of active duty and, if applicable, a VA letter certifying the present existence of the service-connected disability which indicates the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting to be honorably discharged or released within 120 days, click Active Duty ) Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's consideration. Additional information is available in the Vet's Guide .

You may also find more information on positive consideration for attorney hiring .

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents: These documents are only required if you are requesting priority consideration under ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility. Applicants with disabilities (SCHEDULE A) applying under the area of consideration must submit proof of certification by counselors, State vocational rehabilitation agencies or the Veterans Administration.

Applicants selected for employment that are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, or non-citizenship as allowable in Excepted Service hiring through P.L. 112-10, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

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.