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Attorney Adviser (Employment Counsel)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
District of Columbia, D.C
Closing date
Oct 29, 2020
Duties

Summary

Incumbent serves as Employment Counsel, reporting to the Chief Legal Advisor, and is responsible for providing legal counsel on employee, human resources, and labor relations matters, and for providing advice and guidance on federal employment law and general legal issues, and other programmatic, operational, and administrative matters.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As Attorney Adviser, responsibilities include:
  • Formulating and coordinating legal policies, plans, and objectives relative to employment law.
  • Providing legal advice to the Chief Legal Advisor, Executive Officer, the Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAGs), and the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) on matters involving highly confidential and sensitive information related to employee, human resources, and labor relations matters, as well as other programmatic, operational, administrative, and general legal issues requiring ability to provide forthright employment advice in a timely manner.
  • Assisting DOJ in federal court, handling cases before the EEOC, MSPB, and/or the FLRA.
  • Performing advisory/consultant and trial duties that encompass all legal issues pertaining to human resources, labor relations, and equal employment, including matters such as those arising relative to the civil service system, employment discrimination, disability compensation, and labor issues.
  • Advising and training ATR supervisors on labor and employment law issues; drafting disciplinary and performance improvement plan letters.
Decisions in employment law matters are often made in the context of largely unprecedented issues, ambiguous and complex conditions, and uncertainty resulting from gaps in laws, regulations, or policies. In addition, these matters frequently involve highly confidential and sensitive information of ATR personnel. The attorney hired can expect a collegial and stimulating environment working with highly experienced attorneys and administrative professionals, as well as the satisfaction of serving the public interest.

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 is required to be considered for this position.
  • Background Investigation and drug testing required if selected.
  • DIRECT DEPOSIT: All federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • All male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must have registered for the selective service (see http://www.sss.gov/ ). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.


Qualifications

Applicants must:
  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Possess a J.D. or equivalent degree, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least five years of post-J.D. experience;
  • Have a minimum of 1.5 years' post-J.D. legal experience for GS-13; and a minimum of 2.5 years' post-J.D. legal experience for GS-14;
  • Possess skill in developing policy guidance pertaining to highly sensitive and confidential human resources, labor relations, and equal employment matters; and
  • Possess strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, and ability to work cooperatively and closely with employees of varying levels.


  • Education

    A J.D.

    Please Note: All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or preaccreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/ .

    Additional information

    Relocation expenses WILL NOT be authorized.

    The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys' Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by- case basis.

    The Antitrust Division participates in the E-Verify program.

    This is a non-supervisory, excepted service position outside of the bargaining unit.

    This appointment is in the Excepted Service, and is subject to a one-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR 316.304.

    Applicants must submit a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience and a description of significant federal employment law cases litigated, and your role in them), a resume, and a writing sample/brief (not to exceed 15 pages). If you are a current or recent Federal employee, you must submit a performance appraisal issued within the last 12 months, or if none exists, a statement to that effect and a copy of your latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.

    If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Personnel Section at ATR.personnel@usdoj.gov or 202-514-2469 to obtain an alternative application.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the position qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this position, your resume and supporting documentation will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration.

    There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

    To apply for this position, you must submit your complete application package on or before the closing date of this announcement.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package, which includes:
  • Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience and a description of significant federal cases litigated, to include your role in them).
  • Your Résumé - applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
  • Writing Sample/Brief (not to exceed 15 pages).
  • Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable):
    • If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.
    • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
    • If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ or call 1-800-827-1000.
  • Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples include: Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc.


  • 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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