Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Labor (DOL), Administrative Review Board (ARB).

This position is outside of the bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Advises and participates with the ARB's Chief Judge/Chair and Administrative Appeals Judges/Members in all areas of responsibility including planning, coordination, and direction of final agency decisions, production goals for the functioning of the legal staff and other legal activities.

Performs or directs the performance of long-term and short-term planning to implement policy and goals. Evaluates and acts on proposals of subordinates for adjustment in operations to meet ARB's changing requirements. Recommends and carries out major changes in work policies methods, and procedures to facilitate increased production and economy of operations.

Serves as expert legal advisor to the ARB Chief Judge/Chair and Administrative Appeals Judges/Members. Performs a key and lead role in advising the ARB Chief Judge/Chair and Administrative Appeals Judges/Members in recommending resolution of novel legal issues and the most sensitive or significant matters before the ARB.

Applies knowledge of applicable law, Court and ARB decisions, as well as the ARB's precedential history, to provide expert advice on issues and cases.The incumbent is responsible for the oversight and direction of approximately seven senior level Attorney-Advisors (Labor), each of whom exercises independent judgment and discretion in reviewing decisions of ALJs or certain DOL officials.

Responsible for explaining, interpreting, applying and/or assuring application of ARB policy and requirements. Establishes objectives, time frames, priorities, and standards to meet these requirements and makes major adjustments to achieve objectives. Provides guidance and direction in resolving major problems that may arise.

Reviews ARB orders and final decisions prior to issuance to assure that they are consistent with ARB precedent, are legally sound, and comply with ARB style and legal citation requirements. Incumbent ensures that the technical portion of the work is accurate, legal, and acceptable.

Oversees the use of ARB personnel; monitors the allocation of staff resources among various programs and functions that ARB administers. Resolves conflicts among staff attorneys, technical and support personnel, and other staff in the allocation of resources between program areas that ARB administers.

Prepares program planning documents, proposals, and reports for the Chief Judge/Chair on policy and program matters, as well as position or staff papers for the Chief Judge/Chair's use in meeting with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Labor and their immediate staff, other Federal executives, etc.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15 - The position is at the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Requires a trial period if the requirement has not been met.
• You must submit an (official or unofficial) copy of your transcripts.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
• Position requires a Public Trust-Moderate Risk background investigation.
• Requires a supervisory probationary period if not previously met.

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

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: This position has a positive education requirement. Applicants must meet the basic requirements of this position in order to qualify for appointment to an Attorney position.

To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (J. D.) or LL.M.; be a member in good standing (active or inactive) 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 for the grade level below.

AND

Four (4) 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: Evaluation of applicants for attorney positions shall be made based on the skills, background, knowledge, and relevant experience of the applicants with the sole objective of obtaining the highest caliber and most qualified candidates. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, applicants must meet minimum qualifications by meeting the specialized experience requirements below.

GS-15: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform. Specialized experience is described as providing legal advice and support that includes more than one of the following practice areas: whistleblower statutes, H-1B immigration provisions, child labor, employment discrimination, job training, seasonal and migrant workers, and federal construction and service contracts.

Please Note the Following:

**This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your law school transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty.**

**Copy or other evidence of bar membership must be submitted.**

For the purpose of this schedule, service in the Armed Forces shall be counted as a continuation of any legal position held immediately prior to such service. In any case, the experience of the applicant must be recently sufficient to indicate that he/she is capable of performing the duties of the position.

Education

If you do not submit sufficient documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

Note: The Department of Labor does not recognize academic degrees from unauthorized secondary schools or post-secondary institutions that are not accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Department of 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.

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. Thorough knowledge of administrative law, including applicable provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and the Code of Federal Regulations.

2. Knowledge of procedures governing hearings, appeals, and rules of procedure and evidence.

3. Ability to analyze cases, to evaluate the evidence and the importance of questions of law or policy, and to make decisions and recommendations relative thereto, with due consideration for the overall effect on past and future cases.

4. Skill in leading subordinate staff, developing performance standards, evaluating work and determining training needs.

5. Knowledge of labor and industrial practices and procedures.

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

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
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Follow the instructions: click How To Submit Supplemental Documentation Document . 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.

- Bar Certification: You must submit documentation verifying that you are an active or inactive member of the bar in good standing of any State, territory, or possession of the United States. Copies or unofficial statements from State Bar websites are acceptable.

- Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - You must submit your transcripts verifying your law degree to qualify for this position. You are required to submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, PHD, etc). If specific course work is required to qualify, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.

- 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 - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but are encouraged.

- OPTIONAL - Applicants may submit a writing sample consisting of a maximum of 10 pages.

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , 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.