Summary
Who May Be Considered:
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.
This is a Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
If interested, please email your resume and a legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) to: CISAOCCStaffing@cisa.dhs.gov & reference "CISA OCC Counsel for Litigation and Investigations - Labor and Employment Law - [Last Name]"
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens
Duties
Applicants who live within the local commuting area (i.e., a 50-mile or less radius from Glebe Road, Arlington VA (not driving distance)) are ineligible for local remote work and are expected to perform work onsite and may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy.
CISA Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) provides legal advice on a wide range of issues to all agency divisions and offices at headquarters and across the regional field offices. OCC works closely with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of the General Counsel Headquarters and other DHS component counsel and directly interacts with other federal agencies, state/local governments, international governments and private sector entities, in support of CISA's missions.
The primary purpose of the position is to serve as an Attorney Advisor in the CISA OCC's Litigation & Investigations Division. The incumbent is responsible for working on a wide range of labor and employment matters, representing the Agency in litigation matters, and advising on matters of legal interpretation and Agency-wide policies. The position also may provide support to the Litigation and Investigations Division's other portfolios, including non-employment related federal court litigation, legislative affairs and congressional oversight, as needed.
Typical work assignments include:
- The incumbent will serve as Counsel or Senior Counsel for labor and employment law.
- Represent CISA before various administrative tribunals to include the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and the Office of Special Counsel.
- Conduct necessary conferences and consultations to provide litigation support and legal counsel to CISA's senior leadership on the full spectrum of federal sector labor and employment law issues.
- Negotiate complex and unique issues with senior-level personnel, individuals from various parts of CISA, and individuals from the other federal agencies to obtain the necessary balance between conflicting interests, factual issues, and policy considerations.
- Maintain continuing liaison with clients.
- Assist the U.S. Department of Justice in litigation involving labor and employment and other matters in federal court.
- Work with the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer on disciplinary and adverse action proposals and decisions, workforce policies, and other personnel-related matters.
- Review CISA policies and related documents to ensure that labor and employment law issues are properly considered.
- Conduct 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.
The successful candidate will have skills such as the following:
- Strong research and writing skills
- The desire to understand technology and its growing impact on the law and society
- Outstanding collaborator
- Entrepreneurial
- Ability to look over the horizon
- Strong experience in briefing senior leaders of an organization
- Familiarity with interagency initiatives and the interagency process
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- Selective Service - Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service see http://www.sss.gov/
- All Federal employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
- DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
- This position has been identified as a drug testing designated position (TDP) for purposes of the CISA's Drug-Free Workplace Program. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illicit/illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment. A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
- You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
- Two-year probationary period may be required.
- This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
- You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position, as well as annually.
Qualifications
To qualify for the GS-0905 Attorney series, you must meet the following basic requirement:
Be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or District of Columbia, and a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, you must also meet minimum qualifications for this position. To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required education and experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying as defined below, in the absence of a qualifying exception to the standard.
You qualify for the GS-12 grade level, if you have:
EDUCATION:
A. A first professional law degree - Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
OR
B. A second professional law degree - Master of Laws (LL.M.).
AND
EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized professional legal experience or judicial clerkship at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent).
You qualify for the GS-13 grade level, if you have:
EDUCATION:
A. A first professional law degree - Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
OR
B. A second professional law degree - Master of Laws (LL.M.).
AND
EXPERIENCE:
At least two (2) years of specialized professional legal experience or judicial clerkship at the GS-12 grade level (or equivalent).
You qualify for the GS-14 grade level, if you have:
EDUCATION:
A. A first professional law degree - Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
OR
B. A second professional law degree - Master of Laws (LL.M.).
AND
EXPERIENCE:
At least three (3) years of specialized professional legal experience or judicial clerkship at the GS-13 grade level (or equivalent).
Note: Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in any of the following specializations: federal labor and employment matters, federal court litigation, legislative affairs, or congressional oversight.
Note: Your experience must be commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of your background may be evidenced by the relatedness of your specialization.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
NOTE: All applicants must provide a copy of their education transcripts & proof of bar membership upon request but prior to being provided a firm job offer. Please DO NOT submit transcripts or proof of bar membership in response to this announcement. They will be requested at a later date if the applicant is selected for further consideration. Failure to provide this information when requested will result in disqualification.
When requested, unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
Education must be from an accredited 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.
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or above.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and based upon how well you meet the qualifications above.
Traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply to attorney positions.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
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 a cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
NOTE: Please DO NOT submit transcripts or proof of bar membership in response to this announcement. They will be requested at a later date if the applicant is selected for further consideration. Failure to provide this information when requested will result in disqualification.
1. RESUME: At time of application,your resume MUST show a detailed description of your job-related qualifications to include start/end dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for all jobs listed. For all Federal civilian service, include your pay plan/band, series, and grade (e.g., GS-0201-09). Be clear and specific when describing your work history as human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Do NOT include photographs, links to social media (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation. If included your resume will not be considered. Please view Resume & Application Tips.
2. COVER LETTER (OPTIONAL): Your cover letter will not be used to determine your qualifications but will be included with your resume if you are referred.
3. TRANSCRIPTS: Prior to receiving a tentative job offer, you will be asked to submit a copy of your law school transcript accredited by the American Bar Association. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, name of the educational institution, declared degree program, course title(s), credits completed, grade, date of completion, Grade Point Average (GPA), and date of degree conferral. If selected, an official transcript will be required.
4. BAR MEMBERSHIP: Prior to receiving a tentative job offer, you will be asked to submit proof of Bar Membership of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. Territory, or District of Columbia.
5. WRITING SAMPLE: At time of application, please submit a legal writing sample (such as a brief, motion, or legal memorandum) not to exceed ten (10) pages in length, that reflects your own work.
6. OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Prior to receiving a tentative job offer, ( only submit if applicable):
- CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows the grade, step, tenure code "1" (Career) or "2" (Career-Conditional), and type of position occupied. Provide proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an Interchange Agreement. If applying for a higher grade, provide a SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade or promotion potential held (examples of appropriate SF-50s include appointment/conversion, with-in grade/range increases and promotion actions). NOTE: Pay adjustments and awards are NOT acceptable.
- VETERAN DOCUMENTATION: Submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).
- ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: If applying based on eligibility under the 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 active service, rank/grade, expected character of service (i.e., honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e., separation or retirement). NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If selected, a DD-214 must be provided prior to appointment.
- 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you will need to submit a SF-15 and provide an official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating (NOTE: Your overall percentage must be clearly shown), and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
- 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; AND
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
If you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, your application will be determined incomplete, and you will not be considered for a position.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you submit an application.
To apply for this position, please indicate your interest in this position, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section to CISAOCCStaffing@cisa.dhs.gov by 11:59 PM EST on 05/01/2024 to receive consideration.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.
You may update your application documents at any time during the announcement open period. As such, please do not apply more than once during this period of time unless there has been a substantial change in your qualifications.
Next steps
Within approximately 3 business days of submitting a resume, applicants may expect a positive acknowledgement via e-mail that their resume was received. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your resume within 5 business days, please send a follow-up e-mail to: CISAOCCStaffing@cisa.dhs.gov
Upon receipt, resumes will be reviewed to identify individuals for further consideration and possible interviews, which may occur anytime up to 240 days after this advertisement closes. Following interviews, the hiring organization will contact candidates with whom potential offers are being considered with instructions regarding submission of additional documentation (e.g., education transcripts, proof of bar membership, etc.), which must be reviewed by the Office of the Human Captial Office to verify qualifications prior to any tentative job offers.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Notice to Applicants - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is subject to the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019. Unless excluded by law, all CISA hiring officials and agency representatives are statutorily prohibited from asking applicants to disclose their criminal history record information prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment. Applicants may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the CISA Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer Human Capital Policy and Programs Subdivision at email cisa.ochco.hcp@cisa.dhs.gov within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance by a CISA hiring manager or agency representative.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency!
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