Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Labor, Region III, Arlington Associate Solicitor's Office, a branch office of the Philadelphia Regional Solicitor's Office. The Arlington Solicitor's Office is primarily responsible for providing litigation and legal advisory services to DOL regional and field offices located in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Arlington Solicitor's Office has responsibility for the trial in U.S. District Courts and before administrative law judges of all civil litigation under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Mine Safety and Health Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Black Lung Benefits Act, Employment Retirement Income Security Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Public Contracts Act, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and over 180 diverse federal laws enforced by the Department of Labor's agencies. Legal advisory services are also furnished in connection with many of these statutes and Executive Orders. Legal advice and assistance is also given to the Office of the United States Attorney in regard to the criminal prosecution of cases and defensive actions under such statutes as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, Mine Safety and Health Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act and other federal statutes and Executive Orders. This office is responsible for legal advice and litigation under various whistleblower statutes. This office also represents the various agencies within the Department in internal matters before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in the Federal District Courts and before Arbitrators.

This position is outside the bargaining unit.
Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

DUTIES:

As a Trial Attorney (Labor), the incumbent is responsible for the analysis, preparation, and litigation of factually, technically, and legally complex cases brought in the Region by the Secretary of Labor under statutes and executive orders administered by the Department's various enforcement agencies.

The incumbent is responsible for cases assigned at all stages of litigation, including writing analyses to determine whether a matter should be pursued. Based on knowledge of all assigned program areas as well as an understanding of relevant DOL programs, the incumbent analyzes cases and, with increasing independence, identifies, evaluates and resolves all factual, legal, and policy issues; considers and discusses options; draws sound conclusions; and makes appropriate recommendations. The incumbent researches more complex and significant matters, using specialized research tools. The incumbent writes original legal documents, conveying in writing relevant facts, law, and policy in complex and significant matters.

The incumbent plans and handles all phases of trial preparation, including preparing complaints and answers to complaints (in defensive actions); as appropriate, participating in or coordinating client agencies' investigations; preparing discovery requests and responses; representing the Department at depositions; preparing pleadings, legal memoranda, and briefs; and representing the Department at pre-trial hearings.

The incumbent may direct all phases of the Department's case during the trial, developing a pre-trial plan, entering into appropriate stipulations; examining and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses; using evidentiary and procedural rules at trial; and responding to judicial concerns.

The incumbent may also serve as a liaison with the United States Attorneys and other federal agencies where appropriate. In certain cases, the incumbent may be sworn in as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and conduct all or a portion of a criminal trial.

The incumbent independently identifies appropriate matters for settlement and negotiates settlement terms consistent with the facts and the law in the case and with DOL policies and guidelines.

The duties describe above are at the full performance level (GS 14). If selected at the lower level (GS 12 and GS 13), selectee will perform similar duties with varying levels of supervision.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Less than 20%

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

• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Requires a trial period if the requirement has not been met.
• Relocation expenses will not be covered
• This position is outside the bargaining unit
• Must be at least 16 years old and an U.S. Citizenship.

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: At least one (1) year of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability perform work at this level.

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

GS-14: At least two (3) years of progressively responsible legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform work at this level. At least one year of the one (1) year of qualifying experience, at this level must be specialized experience as defined below.

Specialized experience is defined as experience conducting federal court or administrative litigation (involving federal laws), which includes developing case strategy; drafting initial pleadings and motions; conducting written discovery and deposition practice; preparing for trial; and trial.

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 experience and ability in conducting litigation, particularly in the area of labor and employment law, including drafting organized and persuasive pleadings for filing in court; drafting and responding to written discovery; taking and defending depositions; preparing for trial and drafting post-trial briefs; and engaging in settlement negotiations.

2. Demonstrated experience and ability in preparing well-written legal analyses addressing factually, legally, or technically complex issues in a timely manner.

3. Demonstrated experience and ability in making effective oral presentations in a clear and concise manner.

4. Demonstrated experience and ability in providing legal advice and guidance to clients.

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. 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: 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. VA bar is preferred, but not required.

- 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.

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

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.