Attorney Advisor Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OIG-12643967-25-SL-EOIG Department Office of the Inspector General
Salary $147,649.00 to $204,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/16/2024 Close Date 1/5/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Executive Office of the Inspector General (EOIG) and reports directly to the Chief of Staff (CofS). The Strategic Advisor serves as a senior advisor and subject matter expert to the agency's leadership on matters concerning congressional engagement and relations, strategy, legislative proposals, legislative priorities, including appropriations.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is an Excepted-Service position, and this appointment will not confer Competitive-Service status (i.e., career or career-conditional).

Duties

Before applying for this position, please read the entire announcement and follow the instructions in the How to Apply section.

As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below.
Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory technical qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant.

As the OIG Strategic Advisor, you will be required to perform the following major duties:

  • Represent the agency's positions in discussions with key congressional committees, caucuses, and government entities. Identify strategic legislative opportunities and challenges, advise senior leadership on appropriate courses of action, and lead cross-OIG efforts to review legislative drafts in alignment with the agency's objectives.
  • Provide technical drafting assistance for legislative proposals. Analyze, evaluate, and interpret current and proposed legislation that impacts the agency's mission, goals, and operations.
  • Develop and maintain long-term legislative strategies that align with the agency's policy goals and mission priorities. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including congressional members and staff, to ensure that the agency has the necessary support and is aligned with broader government goals.
  • Ensure that the agency's legislative strategy is effectively linked to resourcing and budgeting priorities and, in coordination with the OIG Office of Management, ensure that the agency's appropriations requests reflect legislative priorities and strategic goals.
  • Monitor appropriations processes and provide advice on strategy to ensure the agency secures necessary funding to meet its mission goals. The incumbent of this position performs a broad variety of professional legal work, which includes rendering legal advice and services with respect to highly complex or consequential questions, regulations, practices, or other matters within the purview of the DHS/OIG.
  • Lead education efforts to ensure congressional understanding of the agency's budgetary priorities and the impact of legislation. Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with congressional members/staff, committees, GAO, and other legislative bodies.
  • Author and review testimony and talking points for the Inspector General and other OIG officials appearing before Congress. Reviews and provides expert advice on Congressional reports, briefings by OIG staff. Ensure the agency complies with legislative mandates and appropriations requirements, preparing regular reports for Congress and other oversight bodies.
  • Oversee the coordination of responses to congressional inquiries, hearings, and briefings, ensuring that the agency's positions are clearly articulated. Draft correspondence to Congress in support of the Inspector General on matters addressing OIG audits, investigations, inspections and evaluations, and other matters critical to OIG operations, including resources.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or
    Random Drug Testing required.
  • In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Secret security clearance.
  • Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 01/05/2025.
  • The individual selected will be required to file an Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with
    the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
  • You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
  • A J.D. or LL.B Degree is required.
  • Bar membership: Active and in good standing is required.
  • Applicants must separately address the Mandatory Qualifications (No more than two pages per technical qualification and must include your name).

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. Applicants should have excellent technical expertise, analytical skills, and exhibit good judgment. Applicants must have significant expertise concerning congressional engagement and relations, strategy, legislative proposals, legislative priorities, including appropriations.

We recommend that your application emphasize your level of experience, expertise, and accomplishments (including the results of your actions) in formulating, directing, and overseeing legislative strategy. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the position.

Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Qualifications below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other qualifications, if applicable, listed below.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. You must address each technical qualification separately. You are required to respond to all of the technical qualifications. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statements to no more than two pages per technical qualification and must include your name.

1. Expert knowledge and experience in in the legislative process, including working directly with members of Congress, congressional committees, or federal agencies on legislative and appropriations matters.

2. Strong analytical and technical skills in drafting and reviewing legislative language, with the ability to provide expert-level assistance on legislative texts, evaluate complex legislation, and propose innovative solutions.

3. Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders in the Legislative and Executive Branches and effectively communicate policies and mission priorities using excellent written and oral communication.

Applicants who meet all the Mandatory Qualifications may be evaluated by a panel of experts to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statement for the Mandatory Qualifications described above.

Note regarding application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service. However, the Office of Inspector General considers veterans' preference eligibility in attorney hiring. Applicants claiming veterans' preference must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and any other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Additional information on veterans' preference is available in the Vet Guide,
(http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx).

Time in grade is not required for Senior Level (SL) position.

All qualifications and education must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

Applicants must possess a LL.B., J.D., or LL.M. degree.
AND
Licensure:
Applicants must be an active member of the bar and in good standing, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia.

Additional information

Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 01/05/2025.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application. Please view the following link for information on how to obtain an alternative application https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?%20title=Alternate_Application_Information

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. 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.

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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Your responses to the MTQs should be submitted in one document that includes separate narrative statements addressing each of the 2 Mandatory Technical Qualifications (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES PER MTQ).

1. Expert knowledge and experience in in the legislative process, including working directly with members of Congress, congressional committees, or federal agencies on legislative and appropriations matters.

2. Strong analytical and technical skills in drafting and reviewing legislative language, with the ability to provide expert-level assistance on legislative texts, evaluate complex legislation, and propose innovative solutions.

3. Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders in the Legislative and Executive Branches and effectively communicate policies and mission priorities using excellent written and oral communication.

Applications without MTQ narrative statements will not be considered.

Applicants who meet all the mandatory technical qualifications will be evaluated by a panel to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards,

self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statements for the technical qualifications described in this vacancy.

If your resume does not include these basic qualifications, you will not be determined qualified for this position.

We highly recommend that your resume includes examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize their level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.

Required Documents

Applicants who fail to submit all information and documents (i.e., resume, Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other documents as applicable) WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS.

You MUST upload the applicable documents with your application package. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Resume: Your resume may be submitted in any format that includes your name and contact information (telephone number and/or email). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you will not be considered for this vacancy. (Not to exceed 5 pages)

Your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment for each position listed on your resume (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete, and you will not receive consideration for this position.

2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): A narrative statement specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification.
Statement should not exceed two pages per MTQ. Each page must contain your full name.

Each Mandatory Technical Qualification must be addressed separately.

3. Vacancy Question Responses: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

4. Education Documentation: For positions with an education requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. See "Education" for more details.

5. Professional Certification: You will be required to submit an original Certificate of Good Standing from your State Bar.

6. Other supporting documents:

  • Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit your last or most recent SF-50 showing grade and tenure. Do not submit SF-50s which do not show tenure (i.e. awards, etc.)
  • Cover Letter, optional

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 apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement (01/05/2025) to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your résumé, MTQs, and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  • To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12643967
  • To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login) all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents is legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please view the "Alternate Application" method listed in the "Other Information" section of this announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

DHS-OIG Executive Resources
Address
Office of Inspector General
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position.

The Executive Evaluation Panel may evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications based on the information provided and will generate a certificate of best qualified candidates for the selecting official. The selecting official may interview the best qualified candidates before making a selection. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Applicant/Application/
ListApplications?

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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