Duties

Summary

The Office of the Legislative Counsel of the United States Senate (SOLC) is responsible for drafting and editing nearly all legislation considered by the Senate. The SOLC is a nonpartisan and nonpolitical office of the Senate, comprised of approximately 37 attorneys who serve all Members, committees, and staff of the Senate.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

A Staff Attorney in the Office works as part of a team of 5 to 7 other attorneys who specialize in various areas of Federal law, with assistance and mentoring provided by a more senior attorney. The position of Staff Attorney is full-time, with substantial evening and weekend overtime occasionally required to serve the needs of the Senate.
The responsibilities of an SOLC Staff Attorney include:
1. Drafting and editing bills, resolutions, conference reports, and amendments for committees, Members, and staff of the Senate.
2. Analyzing proposed legislation for legal sufficiency and constitutionality.
3. Researching the law and its development in relation to a proposal being analyzed or drafted.
4. Working closely with SOLC attorneys and Senate staff to analyze proposed policy and its implications and produce professional quality legislation.

A Staff Attorney receives a starting salary that is approximately equivalent to a GS-12 for the Washington, D.C. area ($83,398 as of 6/13/2019), with competitive increases in salary similar to those provided under the Attorney Generals Honors Program. The SOLC is committed to furthering the professional development of its employees throughout their careers with the Office and to providing a positive work-life balance. To the extent funding and the needs of the Senate allow, the SOLC currently offers its employees the following:
1. Participation in the Senate Federal student loan tuition repayment benefit program. SOLC employment qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program offered by the Department of Education.
2. Options for telework and flextime (subject to current Office policies) and parking or public transit subsidies.
3. An annual allotment of paid leave (including annual leave, health leave, and Federal holidays) and a paid gender-neutral family and medical leave program.
4. Retirement and insurance programs, including Federal Employees Retirement System coverage, matching funds for contributions under the Thrift Savings Plan, and group life and long-term care insurance coverage.
5. Additional benefits for employees and their families, including coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, access to dental and vision plans, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, an onsite fitness facility for employees offering group exercise classes (subject to membership fees), and priority access for admission to the Senate Employees Child Care Center.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• See "Qualifications".

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

Qualifications

A Staff Attorney applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
1. A record of academic excellence, evidenced by ranking in the top one-third of the applicant's law school class.
2. An ability to write clearly and concisely.
3. No substantial participation with any political party or cause.
4. A commitment to public service.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

See "Qualifications".

Education

EDUCATION:

A Staff Attorney must be enrolled in, or a graduate of, a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Before joining the Office, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school. Not later than 1 year after joining the Office, a Staff Attorney must be a member in good standing of a State bar.

Additional information

You must submit all required information by the closing date. If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

This position is nonpartisan and nonpolitical and is filled on the basis of demonstrated academic achievement, writing ability, and a personal interview.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Please submit the following documents to apply for this position:
- A cover letter.
- A current resume that includes all experience, education, training, outside activities, and other information relative to the position.
- An official or unofficial transcript of your law school grades.
- A legal writing sample of 10 pages or less that is written solely by yourself and not published under the name of any other person.
Your cover letter or resume should clearly provide your law school class rank or estimated class standing, or any information regarding class standing that your law school provides. If your law school does not provide any information on class standing, please state that in your cover letter. If your application does not provide any information on this topic, we will presume that you are not in the top third of your law school class.

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.