Attorney Advisor

Clarification from the agency

The Public

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is seeking a highly qualified attorney for the Office of Counsel whose responsibilities will include advising OIG managers, auditors and investigators on legal issues relating to nationwide OIG operations. Applicants will provide legal advice on a range of matters, including:

• Advising on and representing the agency in Federal employment law matters.
• Government contract law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the GSA Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) program, cost principles for construction claims, the requirements of the Trade Agreements and Buy American Acts, and other issues.
• OIG Attorneys work with the Department of Justice, other OIGs, and OIG components on False Claims Act litigation related to GSA contracts and programs.
• OIG Attorneys also participate in processing mandatory FAR disclosures, including review of and advice on legal issues, coordination with company counsel, and determination of appropriate resolution.
• The Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.
• Administrative and statutory law, government ethics, constitutional and criminal law, federal whistleblower laws, rights, and remedies, fiscal and appropriations law, procurement and fraud law, suspension and debarment, and federal tort law.
• Familiarity and experience with the Inspector General Act and federal whistleblower laws, rights, and remedies is desirable.
• Additionally, OIG attorneys periodically support special projects, including investigations, evaluations and the preparation of substantive responses to Legislative or other requestors.  
• OIG Attorneys consult with all levels of OIG managers and employees and represent the OIG in discussions with other OIG Counsel offices, the GSA, and other Federal agencies including the Department of Justice. Attorneys in the Office of Counsel additionally provide training to OIG employees on legal issues

Conditions of employment

• Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.
• Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable

 If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 5 investigation level). You must be granted this clearance before you can start the job.
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
• Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
• Serve a two - year probationary period, if required.

Qualifications

The GS-15 salary range starts at $169,279 per year. The GS-14 salary range starts at $143,913 per year (includes locality pay). Locality pay will be determined once the duty location has been established.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their law school transcript(s) by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. 

To qualify for the GS-14, you must possess ALL of the following:

• Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and possession of at least the initial professional law degree (J.D.);
• Bar Membership: You must be an active member of the bar; in good standing of a State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
• Experience: You must have at least 2 years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, with demonstrated skill in preparing for litigation and specialized experience applying Federal Government personnel law, the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal procurement and appropriations law, and/or Government ethics rules.

To qualify for the GS-15, you must possess ALL of the following:

• Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and possession of at least the initial professional law degree (J.D.);
• Bar Membership: You must be an active member of the bar; in good standing of a State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
• Experience: You must have at least 5 years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, with demonstrated skill in preparing for litigation and specialized experience applying Federal Government personnel law, the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal procurement and appropriations law, and/or Government ethics rules.

How you will be evaluated

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

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process.  Your resume must contain the following 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:

• Postion title
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
• Agency
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic, general, or specialized experience requirements for each grade level you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.

"There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the GSA OIG 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., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

College transcripts:  You must submit a copy of your law school transcripts. Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

Proof of bar membership: Applicants who are extended a tentative offer must provide a current certificate of good standing from their state licensing authority. If the required document is not submitted, you will be deemed not eligible for the position.

Writing sample: Applicants are required to submit a writing sample not exceeding ten pages as part of their application.

Next steps