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Attorney-Advisor (General)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Nov 14, 2019
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), General Law Division (GLD).
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a legal advisor and will provide advice, counsel and litigation support in the areas of labor and employment law for the Federal Protective Service (FPS). This will require in depth knowledge and understanding of FPS' structure and functions.

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 consultations and provide litigation support and advice and counsel to the senior leadership of FPS and its parent organization, the Management Directorate, on the full spectrum of federal employment-related issues.
  • Represent the Department before various administrative tribunals to include the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the Federal Service Impasses Panel, and the Office of Special Counsel.
  • Assist Department of Justice Attorneys in litigation involving labor and employment law matters in the Federal district and circuit courts.
  • Prepare briefs, memoranda and opinions related to various labor and employment law issues as they pertain to FPS.
    Maintain continuing liaison with FPS clients and other Headquarters counsel.
  • Work with Human Capital personnel on disciplinary and adverse action proposals and decisions and other personnel related matters.


  • 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
    • Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period


    Qualifications

    Basic Requirements:
    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 assess 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.

    To qualify for this position, you must possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level to qualify for the GS-14 grade level or GS-14 level to qualify for the GS-15 grade level in the Federal government.
    For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience providing legal advice and support on labor and employment law matters in the Federal Government or Private Sector

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

    NOTE: The following examples must be tailored to the applicable qualification standard, some notes are provided for assistance.

    In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position:

    Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service.

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

    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.

    Qualifications Must Be Met
    All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

    Education

    Applicants must be a graduate of a school of law school 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."

    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 SECRETclearance as a condition of placement in this NON CRITICAL SENSITIVE 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.

    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.

    This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 90 calendar days of the initial issue date of the referral list. Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

    By applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for other similar positions.

    You may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and is subject to random drug testing for the duration of service with DHS.

    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:

    1. Ability to conduct and direct complex legal research, engage in sound legal analysis, and present the results in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner, both in writing and verbally.

    2. Ability to work collaboratively with legal and policy professionals and staff from other backgrounds to clarify agency policy objectives and program goals.

    3. Ability to assist the Department of Justice with employment law litigation in the Federal courts. Knowledge of the law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations impacting Federal employment.

    4. Ability to engage with senior level officials, whether within the Executive Branch, the Congress, or the private sector.

    You will then be placed within one of three categories based on your responses: Qualified, Well Qualified, or Best Qualified. If you are placed in the Best Qualified category, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

    Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10622367

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Secret

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

    Trust determination process
    Suitability/Fitness

    Required Documents

  • Your résumé.
  • Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10622367
  • 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.


  • 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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