Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board. The Board has jurisdiction to consider and decide appeals from decisions of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) and the Branch of Hearings and Review in the OWCP with respect to claims of employees under FECA. The incumbent works on cases or legal issues of a moderate to complex nature where the factual situation is often complicated and clear precedents are not readily available or apparent.

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Responsibilities

GS 12- Performed under closer supervision and with closer review.

The selected applicant will work under the general supervision of a Supervisory Attorney and perform a variety of legal duties relative to cases or legal issues which are often factually complex or of such a novel nature that no clear precedents apply. Works on cases or legal issues that involve directly or indirectly very large sums of money.

Typically, the incumbent conducts legal research regarding appeal, determines, what legal issues are relevant, determines what factor or legal issues are relevant, determines the legal conclusion based upon the facts and the relevant legal authorities, and then prepares an appropriate draft decision setting forth the Board's findings and reasoning.

Performs a thorough and intensive legal review and examination of the case record and the issues presented on appeal. Researches statutes, regulations, decisions, opinions, legislative history, and other legal authorities on the point of law involved and analysis and application of such findings to the case at hand.

Studies pleadings, testimony, medical evidence and other exhibits, to determine the factual merits of each case. Reviews the arguments by the parties in conjunction with the law and facts of the case.

Prepares a written draft decision or order, summarizing the jurisdiction, relevant facts, legal issues, analysis and recommended conclusion by the Board. May be required to make an oral presentation to the Board's panel on factual or legal issues.

In cases involving oral argument, as directed by the Supervisor, the incumbent shall prepare a briefing packet for the Board members prior to the oral argument. Following the hearing and the Board Members' consideration consultation and vote, incumbent prepares a written decision, in final form, for approval and signature.

As directed by the Supervisor, participates in special studies regarding questions of law, policy and procedures that arise in effectuating decisions under the Act, and formulates recommendations, under the guidance of senior staff attorneys, for consideration by the Board.

Duties for the GS-13

The selected applicant will work under the general supervision of a Supervisory Attorney and performs a variety of legal duties relative to cases or legal issues which are often factually complex or of such a novel nature that no clear precedents apply. Works on cases or legal issues that involves directly or indirectly very large sums of money.

Typically, the incumbent conducts legal research regarding appeal, determines, what legal issues are relevant, determines what factor or legal issues are relevant, determines the legal conclusion based upon the facts and the relevant legal authorities, and then prepares an appropriate draft decision setting forth the Board's findings and reasoning.

Performs a thorough and intensive legal review and examination of the case record and the issues presented on appeal. Researches statutes, regulations, decisions, opinions, legislative history, and other legal authorities on the point of law involved and the analysis and application of such findings to the case at hand.

Studies pleadings, testimony, medical evidence and other exhibits, to determine the factual merits of each case. Reviews the arguments by the parties in conjunction with the law and facts of the case

Prepares a written draft decision or order, summarizing the jurisdiction, relevant facts, legal issues, analysis and recommended conclusion by the Board. May be required to make an oral presentation to the Board's panel on factual or legal issues.

In cases involving oral argument, as directed by the Supervisor, the incumbent shall prepare a briefing packet for the Board members prior to the oral argument. Following the hearing and the Board Members' consideration consultation and vote, incumbent prepares a written decision, in final form, for approval and signature.

As directed by the Supervisor, participates in special studies regarding questions of law, policy and procedures that arise in effectuating decisions under the Act, and formulates recommendations, under the guidance of senior staff attorneys, for consideration by the Board.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - 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 probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• You must submit an (official or unofficial) copy of your transcripts.
• You must submit a writing sample

This is an Excepted Service position and is open as well to Non-Citizens as allowed by law. This position will be filled through an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

Qualifications

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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.

The ECAB will rate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. ECAB 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 applications.

For GS-12: In addition to the basic education requirement, candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 level in federal service. Superior academic achievement or honors may substitute for one year of specialized experience.

For GS-13: In addition to the basic education requirement, candidates must possess at least two years of specialized experience and at least one year must be equivalent to the GS-12 level in federal service. Superior academic achievement or honors may substitute for one year of specialized experience.

Specialized Experience: Is providing legal advice and support with regard to the areas of practice within the jurisdiction of the Board. Superior research and writing skills and knowledge of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) are essential.

Prior experience as a law clerk or staff attorney to an appellate body, service on law review, publication of an article or note in a legal periodical, and honors/awards for academic or professional performance are also desirable. Competitive candidates will have demonstrated good judgment, sound reasoning, and critical thinking.

Note: An LL.M may be substituted for a maximum of one year experience.

Education

To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.).

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.

To be eligible for a DOL Pathways internship, you must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis at a qualifying educational institution , for the purpose of obtaining a diploma, degree, or certificate. Current students must have a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Interns must maintain such grade point average throughout the duration of the internship. You must submit with your application a current academic transcript and/or other official documentation from your academic institution demonstrating your eligibility for appointment. See the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. In addition, if you wish to use your education as a basis for meeting the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must submit academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements. If specific course work is required to fulfill the minimum qualification requirements, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit for that course work. See the "Qualifications and Evaluations" section of this announcement for more details. If you do not submit sufficient academic 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.

Additional information

Position Telework eligibility is determined by management based on position duties during the recruitment process. Employee participation in telework on a routine or situational basis is determined by management primarily based on business needs. Employees participating in telework are subject to the terms and conditions of the Department of Labor's Telework Program.

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. Graduated with academic honors and/or high academic achievement (g., GPA of 3.5 or higher; graduated in top 25% of class), and/or Law journal or other relevant writing experience, and/or Judicial Law Clerk experience, and/or significant summer law office clerk experience.

2. Demonstrated skill in researching and preparing well-written, organized and persuasive legal documents.

3. Possess the ability to write succinct decisions based upon an accurate summary of the relevant facts of a case.

4. Possess the ability to manage a case load within an established quota and within defined time limitations.

5. Ability to make effective oral presentations in a clear and concise manner.

6. Ability to establish and maintain effective liaison with high level departmental officials, regional program officials, supervisors, agency staff and the general public.

7. 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
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

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.

- Resume: Applicants are required to provide a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of your choosing. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list month, year, and the number of work hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to the vacancy questionnaire.

- 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.

- 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.