Attorney-Advisor (Labor)

Major Duties

• Independently performs a complete intensive legal review and examination of complex case records and the issues presented on appeal; reviews and analyzes the parties' arguments regarding the law and the facts of each case. Drafts and submits recommended decisions or memoranda for assigned appeals; in some cases, may present a recommended disposition through an oral presentation.
• Researches statutes, regulations, decisions, opinions, legislative history, and other legal authorities on the points of law involved and analyzes their application to the case at hand.
• On certain complex cases assigned, the incumbent will be involved in the formal conferencing of cases, with the full Board and supervisory attorneys. Similarly, attends and provides support to formal oral arguments, where the parties appear before the Board to address cases involving a novel issue, or where clarification is essential to case disposition.
• Following Board Members' consideration, consultation, when appropriate, and vote, prepares a written decision and order for each case, for approval and signature in line with instructions from Members. As directed, prepares drafts of dissenting or concurring opinions for Board Members, usually in particularly difficult cases, or cases involving new issues. As instructed, redrafts memoranda or decisions and orders, following review by supervisory attorneys or Board members.
• When further consultation or justification is required, confers with and advises the Board Members on cases assigned that involves new law and establishes new precedent. Such advice often requires extended discussions of the legal issues involved, formulation of legal theory, presentation of facts out of which the legal issues arose, evaluation of conflicting testimony and the weighing of evidence, consideration of the inferences to be drawn, and examination of the effect of a particular proposed decision upon general interpretation of the Act, in the light of Congressional intent.

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Requires a trial period if the requirement has not been met.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• You will be required to submit to Suitability/Fitness for the Trust Determination Process.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Position titles alone cannot be used to determine if you are qualified. Please list dates in MM/DD/YY format. This is imperative in determining if whether you have at least one year of creditable specialized experience. Dates will not be assumed.

To qualify for an attorney position, applicants must possess a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.); be a member in good standing of the bar of a court of general jurisdiction of a state, territory or possession of the U.S.; and have acquired the amount of experience indicated below.

For the GS-13 grade level: Applicants must have two (2) years of post-law school legal experience of a professional nature which demonstrates the ability to perform the work at this level. At least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying experience must be specialized experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the job.

Prior experience as a law clerk or staff attorney to an appellate body, service on law review, publication of an article or note in a legal periodical, and honors or awards for academic or professional performance are also desirable. Competitive candidates will have demonstrated good judgment, sound reasoning, and critical thinking.

NOTE: An LL.M. may be substituted for a maximum of one year of experience.