Legal Administrative Specialist (Competition Advisement)

• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Collaborates with Department attorneys in serving as a legal administrative advisor and in-house legal resource person.
• Prepares memoranda or reports outlining the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and justifying recommendations or conclusions.
• Makes recommendations concerning antitrust problems in the livestock, poultry, and meat industries and provides recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints that may be contemplated.
• Makes judgments and offers research-based opinions about the competitive effects of mergers and acquisitions in terms of the long-range impact of both buyers and sellers to maintain competition and exercise initiative in the affected markets.
• Consults and advises on necessary investigations and researches individual firm records, legal periodicals, and public information to suggest methods to correct problems.
• Recommends the issuance of subpoenas and demand letters when necessary and prepares pre-subpoena demand letters and subpoenas.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Reviewing business documents and contracts, researching, and providing recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints.
• Interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, researching, and writing legal memoranda and litigation documents.
• Writing legal memoranda and litigation documents.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Conducting legal research, legal analysis, and technical and investigative assistance on issues related to unfair business practices that are likely to reduce competition and other relevant areas of law.
• Performing discovery; preparing for depositions; conducting or assisting senior attorneys during depositions
• Using investigative techniques, including interviews with hostile or distressed witnesses, ensuring research is usable in court.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.