Job Description
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 General Law matters.
Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
This job is open to
The public
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties
As an Attorney Advisor (General), GS-0905-13/14/15, you will perform some of the following duties. The duties assigned will be determined by the needs of the Department and the specific experience of the successful applicant:
- Provide legal advice and counsel on administrative law issues, including real property acquisition, disposal and management for the Department; environmental law and historic preservation; personal property management; facilities, construction, repairs, and operations; ground fleet, vessel, and aviation oversight; inter- and intra-Departmental agreements; home-to-work authorization; and tribal consultation matters.
- Provide advice and counsel on the legal authority of Department and Component officers; the organizational structure of the Department; delegations and designations of authority; directives and instructions of the Department; orders of succession; constitutional matters related to the authority of Department officers, executive branch authority, separation of powers matters, and Appointments Clause matters; the Homeland Security Act; the Federal Vacancies Reform Act; and manage litigation matters related to these areas.
- Provide legal advice on appropriations, fiscal, and grants law issues within the Department, to include legal advice on the proper use and expenditure of funds, federal travel, debt collection, and financial assistance.
- Serve as a legal advisor for labor and employment issues. Oversee complex legal research and the development of written and verbal analysis and advice for senior officials. Represent the Department before various administrative tribunals to include the Merit System Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and the Office of Special Counsel. Assist the Department of Justice in litigation involving labor and employment matters in U.S. federal district and appellate courts.
- Work collaboratively with other attorneys across the Department to reach consensus on legal and doctrinal positions.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation.
- You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
- You must be 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.
- You must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
- Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
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.
- 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.
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 representation on matters related to the legal topics listed in the "Duties" section above. A successful applicant must have experience in some, but not necessarily all, of the legal topics listed in the "Duties" section above.
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.
Additional information
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
This position may be filled at the GS-13, GS-14 or GS-15 level. If selection is made at the GS-13 or 14 level, promotion to the highest level may occur without further competition.
You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Non-Critical Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
This is a permanent appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an Excepted Service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period, unless already completed. Upon successful completion of the required trial period, this position will be permanent. This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our 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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job:
- Skill dealing with complex legal issues and experience providing timely legal advice and guidance.
- Ability to conduct legal research in order to provide oral and written advice on complex legal and factual issues. Research and writing skills will be a significant consideration in the selection process.
- Evidence of the outstanding professional judgment and maturity necessary to brief and advise Department officials on sensitive matters.
- Ability to effectively represent the federal government in administrative litigation and to provide significant litigation support for matters pending in federal court.
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will evaluate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. OGC will consider relevant skills and experience, education and training, performance, and awards.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.
Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Homeland Security considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD form 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.
Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.
Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
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/12768965
- 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," and VA Letter. 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.
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.
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 tra
Qualification
Juris Doctor (JD)
Practice Areas & Specialty
Health Care
Designation
Key Skills Required
Job Overview
Job Function: Legal Services / Legal
Job Type: Full Time
Workplace Type: Not Specified
Experience Level: Not Specified
Salary: $120,579 - $195,200 / Annual Salary
Experience: 0 - 0 yrs
Contact Information
Company Name: US DHS Headquarters
Recruiting People: HR Department
Website: N/A
Location
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