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Attorney Advisor (Veterans)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Feb 24, 2021
Duties

Summary

You will serve as an Attorney-Adviser (Veterans), for the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The jurisdiction of the Board extends to all questions of law and fact under laws that affect the provision of benefits by the Secretary to Veterans or their dependents or survivors. You will be required to draft decisions in all types of appeals, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The principal duty of the attorney is to work directly with a Veterans Law Judge to draft tentative decisions in Veterans' appeals. It is an entry level position with promotion opportunities to GS-14.

You will be responsible for:
      • Drafting decisions in all types of appeals, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge;
      • Consulting on laws and regulations pertaining to Veterans benefits, as set forth in Title 38 of the United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations; the precedent decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), and the United States Supreme Court; and the precedent decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) General Counsel;
      • Reviewing and evaluating the credibility and probative value of medical and lay evidence in claims files;
      • Drafting a high volume of tentative appellate decisions based on that review; and
      • Conducting research on questions encountered in case review or as requested by the Veterans Law Judge.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. The principal duty of the attorney is to work directly with a Veterans Law Judge to draft tentative decisions in Veterans' appeals. It is an entry level position with promotion opportunities to GS-14.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Consistent with VA Policy
Telework: Consistent with VA Policy
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Attorney Advisor (Veterans)/03141A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2021.

BAR MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

CITIZENSHIP: Be citizens of, or owe allegiance to, the United States.

EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full course of study (JD) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

EXPERIENCE: In one or any combination of the following types in the amounts indicated for each grade following:
a. Practice of law.
b. Other legal experience of a responsible nature in any or a combination of the following: As a law clerk; in legal research; in analysis of statutes; or in examination, investigation, or adjustment of claims arising under law, contract, or governmental order.
c. In the military, naval, or other Federal service in the disposition of legal problems, as a reviewing officer, as a member of courts or boards, or investigation activities.

For the Grade of GS-11:

a. One year of experience as described above, OR

b. Graduation in the upper one-third of his/her law class or one of the six alternate options of the Superior Law Student Program:
(1) Work or achievement of significance on his/her school's Official Law Review;
(2) Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
(3) Winning a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team which represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
(4) Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program as opposed to one-shot, intermittent or casual participation;
(5) Significant summer law-office clerk experience; or
(6) Other equivalent evidence of superior achievement. Candidates applying under this option will be required to furnish certification from the registrar of ranking and other attainments in law school; OR

c. Possession of the LL.M. or JD degree.

Specialized Experience: Providing legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters; conducting legal research and citing to relevant legal authority; and drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by agency officials.

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; religions; 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is basically sedentary, but involves some lifting and carrying of documents and other light items. Regular and recurring work is performed sitting at a desk except for occasional brief visits to worksites and tenant activities. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ .

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Transcripts- Please ensure your law transcripts indicate the type of degree awarded and the date it was awarded and the date it was awarded.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

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

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

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

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  • License
  • Resume
  • Transcript


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

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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