Duties

Summary

The Board performs the adjudicatory functions of its executive branch counterparts, such as the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA); Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB); Office of Special Counsel (OSC); and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The variety of cases handled by the PAB offers a unique opportunity for Board Members to preside over complex legal and personnel issues covering a wide range of federal employment and labor law. For more information visit: PAB

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The PAB is composed of five members appointed as administrative judges by the Comptroller General, to hear and make final decisions on complaints filed by GAO employees or applicants for employment with GAO. The Board considers and orders corrective or disciplinary action in cases involving:

- an appeal from a removal;

- suspensions of more than 14 days;

- reductions in grade or pay;

- furlough of not more than 30 days;

- a prohibited personnel practice;

- a decision on the appropriateness of an unit of employees for collective bargaining;

- an election or certification of a collective bargaining representative;

- certain labor-management relations issues;

- an action involving discrimination; and

- personnel-related issues that the Comptroller General by regulation decides are for PAB resolution.

The Personnel Appeals Board also is charged by statute with oversight of equal employment opportunity at GAO.

Board members work an intermittent schedule, rarely exceeding 480 hours per year.

For more information regarding the job's requirements please contact Sue Farley, Solicitor, at (202) 642-0659 or email Farleys@gao.gov.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
NA

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
• Financial disclosure may be required.
• See "Additional Information" for other Conditions of Employment.

Applicants must possess both the education and specialized experience required by the position, as stated.

Qualifications

To be considered for this position, applicants must be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and shall not be a current or former employee of the Government Accountability Office, Architect of the Capitol, Botanic Gardens or Senate Restaurants. In addition, applicants must have at least seven years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney which demonstrates the ability, background, training, and experience necessary to be qualified to serve on the Board, which may be satisfied by one of the following, or any other related experience that demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of a Board member:

(1) expertise as an attorney in federal personnel law;

(2) demonstrated ability to adjudicate or arbitrate complex legal matters;

(3) experience at a senior legal position in addressing or resolving complex legal matters; or

(4) litigation experience in federal personnel and employment related matters.

Typically, experience of this nature will be gained in a related field, in a position held for at least one year at the GS-15 or comparable pay band or level in the federal government; or comparable position with a state or local government, private sector, or other non-government organization.

In addition, applicants must possess a capacity and willingness to devote sufficient time to serve as a member of the Board in order to enable the Board to dispose of cases in a timely manner.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school, and must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any state or territory of the United States or of the District of Columbia.

Additional information

Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. If selected, at the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.

Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Selectee may be required to file a financial disclosure statement. If a Board Member works more than 60 days a year, the financial disclosure report is subject to public inspection in accordance with the rules of the U.S. Senate.

Selectee must be able to meet and maintain suitability requirements.

GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodation@gao.gov.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System. Visit SSS .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

GAO's Human Capital Office will determine if an applicant meets the minimum qualifications listed below. Once it has been determined that an applicant meets the minimum qualification requirements, a further review of the applicant's work experience, accomplishments and responses to vacancy questions will be conducted. The applicant will be evaluated by a screening panel to determine if he or she has appropriate knowledge of federal personnel and labor management relations law; demonstrates the ability to conduct hearings in an orderly manner; prepares clear and concise statements of fact, law and decision; and exercises sound judgment and judicial temperament. The following rating factors (vacancy questions) are considered in ranking each applicant:

Knowledge of federal personnel law, including prohibited personnel practices, adverse actions, discrimination, and labor management relations law in the federal sector;

Ability to understand and interpret law and to analyze, synthesize and evaluate evidence, find facts and render independent decisions;

Ability to communicate concisely and clearly and to preside at meetings, conferences and hearings; and

Ability to operate in an objective, fair and balanced manner and with appropriate judicial temperament.

Please note, you will lose consideration if you fail to include a narrative response to any vacancy question, or if your reply is "see resume."

The screening panel will conduct interviews of applicants receiving the highest ratings and will recommend individuals determined as "best qualified" to the Comptroller General, who makes the final selection. The Comptroller General may also conduct interviews before making his selection.
To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

You must provide a complete application package which includes:

- Resume: Must be created using the USAJOBS resume builder and show relevant work experience.

- Proof of membership in good standing of the Bar of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

- Proof of a professional law degree (e.g., J.D, LL.B.) acquired through graduation from a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association. If selected, an official transcript will be required.

Applicants who fail to submit all of the required documentation will not receive consideration for the position.

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.