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The Office of the Law Revision Counsel—a small, nonpartisan office within the U.S. House of Representatives—seeks an attorney to assist in the drafting of codification bills to restate existing law as positive law titles of the United States Code.
Duties
Duties
The Office of the Law Revision Counsel has two main functions: (1) to maintain the United States Code and (2) to draft legislation to enact individual titles of the Code as positive law. This position is geared toward the second function.
The codification work of the Office involves a number of tasks, including:
- Drafting codification bills to restate existing law as positive law titles of the United States Code.
- Drafting conforming amendments and technical amendments to existing law to update the United States Code.
- Drafting an explanation document that accompanies a codification bill, which includes creating table entries explaining disposition of provisions affected by the codification bill, drafting detailed revision notes to explain word changes, etc.
- Reviewing draft codification and follow-up bills and explanation documents, including proofreading and substantive review, to ensure that no change in meaning or effect of the law is made by any such bill.
- Researching legal sources such as legislative histories, court cases, regulations, etc., to ensure proposed restatement conforms to the understood policy and intent of Congress.
- Adhering to codification style in drafting bills and consulting other style manuals.
- Requesting comments from congressional committees, government agencies, and interested private parties and considering those comments in drafting codification bills.
- Consulting with attorney editors on matters relating to non-positive law titles of the U.S. Code.
- Assisting other codification attorneys in updating style manual and developing codification guidelines.
- Adapting to a changing drafting editor environment that is currently part of the modernization of Office technologies.
In addition to the basic tasks required to enact individual titles of the Code as positive law, other duties may be required, such as assisting Code editors in editorial reclassification of non-positive law titles and in other editorial-related work.
Salary- $81,625 - $152,352/year
- USAJobs Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
- J.D. degree and attorney license in any U.S. jurisdiction or intention to obtain license within one year.
- Meticulous attention to detail and dedication to accuracy.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Absolute proficiency in grammar, spelling, and usage.
- Ability to analyze complex legal issues.
- Ability to build consensus among team members.
Other conditions to note:
- Please be aware that this is a long-term career position with the Office, not a steppingstone to another position within Congress or the Federal Government.
- Familiarity with Federal or State statutory law (including statutory construction principles) is highly desirable.
- This position is better suited to someone able to engage in extended periods of solitary and independent work.
- The work requires patience and a high tolerance for long-term projects.
- The ability to adhere to, and function comfortably within, established styles and practices is essential, but input on improving practices is valued.
Benefits
A variety of insurance plans to choose from: options for medical, vision, dental, life, and long-term care; Federal Employee Retirement System participation; Thrift Savings Plan participation with a federal matching program; Student Loan Repayment program; and public transit subsidy, among others
Required DocumentsApplicants should submit a resumé and cover letter with salary requirements to uscodeapplicant@mail.house.gov.
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.
Applicants should submit a resumé and cover letter with salary requirements to uscodeapplicant@mail.house.gov.
BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
