This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), General Law Division (GLD). The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal advice, counsel, recommendations, and drafting assistance to DHS officials on a variety of Administrative Law matters. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Duties
As an Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-13/14/15, your typical work assignments may include: Ensuring that Administrative Law issues are properly considered in Departmental planning and policy development; conducting complex legal research and analysis and develop memoranda or present results to senior officials in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner while keeping supervisors fully informed. Providing written and oral advice to senior levels of the Department's leadership regarding authorities of the Department including, but not limited to: Federal Vacancies Reform Act compliance, Appointments Clause and Separation of Powers issues, delegations and designations of authority, orders of succession issues; review of the Department's directives and instructions, organization and structure; Administrative Procedures Act compliance; and litigation associated with challenges to the Department's authority. Providing legal counsel, advice, recommendations, and drafting assistance to the Committee Management Office and Components on the application of the laws governing Federal Advisory Committees. Reviewing, investigating, and resolving Headquarters-related Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) administrative claims; resolving requests for Departmental information in third-party litigation; and managing litigation matters related to tort claims and individual capacity claims. Supporting various clients, both at Headquarters and Components, by reviewing and advising in the areas of environmental law compliance, real and personal property management; vehicle and travel issues; home-to-work policy, and Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
Salary
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: GS-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of two (2) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, or two years of judicial clerkship. GS-14 / GS-15: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization. Specialized Experience: 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 application. You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal government. Specialized experience is experience providing legal advice and support to Department leaders on Administrative Law matters including federal agency authorities and organizational structure; federal agency delegations, designations, directives, and instructions; federal advisory committees; claims; environmental, real property and personal property matters, and Memorandums of Agreements/Understanding. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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, religious, 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Education
Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position. 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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
Required Documents
Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12645343 A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. In addition, a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official transcript for both college and law school. A legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages. Proof that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia. Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference. The member 4 copy of your DD214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency Beginning and ending dates of appointment. If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.
How to Apply
To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
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