At the GS-11: Must possess a Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State of the United States or a Territory of the United States, and have at least one year of legal experience. Recent law school graduates and applicants with less than one year of legal experience must demonstrate superior law student work or activities that indicates the ability to independently perform legal work, as demonstrated by graduation in upper third of law school class; work or achievement of significance on the law school's official law reviews or journals; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif, winning moot court competition or membership on the moot court team); full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program; significant summer law office clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.
At the GS-12: Must possess a Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State of the United States or a Territory of the United States, and two years of professional legal experience equivalent to the GS-11 level.
At the GS-13: Must possess a Juris Doctorate (J.D) degree from an ABA accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State of the United States or a Territory of the United States, and have legal experience in excess of 2 years commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of this position.
Upon selections the following documents will be requested:
- An official transcript of the applicant's law school record together with an official statement of his/her relative standing in his/her class. However, if the individual has been a member of the Bar for 5 years or more, the transcript requirement may be waived.
- An official statement that his/her fitness to practice law or his/her conduct as an attorney have never been challenged. If either his/her fitness or conduct has been challenged, an official statement concerning the facts and circumstances together with any explanation that the applicant himself/herself may wish to submit.
- Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period, must have or be able to obtain a Secret Security Clearance, and meet all certification requirements (depending on the position to be filled) prior to appointment. This position may require successful completion of a physical examination, agility test, pre-employment drug test, and/or participation in the Anthrax vaccine immunization program if applying for an emergency essential position.
The selectee is required to meet one or more of these employment conditions before the appointee will receive a tentative offer of employment. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to report to any of the scheduled appointments, fails, the medical/agility/drug tests, lacks the certifications requirements, or is unable to obtain a Secret Security Clearance. Incumbents of drug testing designation positions will be subject to random testing. Drug test results will be provided to the employing activity/command.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID 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. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.