Attorney Advisor (General) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. AT-12639501-25-OCB Department Merit Systems Protection Board
Salary $99,200.00 to $181,216.00 Grade 12 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/16/2024 Close Date 12/20/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

MSPB is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that serves as the guardian of the Federal merit systems. MSPB is seeking an attorney to serve in the Office of the Clerk of the Board and perform a range of duties related to the Board's petition for review and adjudication processes. The incumbent reports directly to the Legal Counsel for the Clerk and works with other attorneys and professionals to provide legal information, support, and review to internal and external stakeholders.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assists the Legal Counsel to the Clerk of the Board in making a final review of orders and decisions of the Board before they are released to the parties and the public.
  • Provides legal advice to the Clerk of the Board regarding important procedural and operational initiatives with sensitivity and skill.
  • Assists with sensitive and special projects related to outreach, and other matters that require sophisticated judgment and an ability to carry out assignments independently.
  • Assists the Legal Counsel to the Clerk of the Board in reviewing and acting on various pleadings filed by parties on petition for review.
  • Handles complex inquiries from the public and case parties about specific cases or MSPB generally received by email, telephone, or in person.
  • May assist with a range of initiatives and processes related to the Board's adjudicatory mission, such as reviewing Federal Register notices, troubleshooting e-Appeal issues, and adjudication data inquiries.
  • Responds to various inquiries from the MSPB's headquarters and regional offices about case-specific or general issues related to the Board's policies.
  • Performs additional duties, as assigned at the direction of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk of the Board in support of other programmatic responsibilities of the Office of the Clerk of the Board.
Is this the job for me?
This Attorney-Advisor position may be the job for you if you:
  • are very detail and process-oriented;
  • enjoy editing and have an appreciation for plain language;
  • enjoy solving problems and making recommended solutions;
  • are comfortable reviewing the work product of others and spotting issues and raising questions, as appropriate;
  • can work both independently and with colleagues to complete assignments and improve processes;
  • are comfortable speaking to and answering questions from case parties, members of the public, and/or representatives from courts or other agencies;
  • are content to operate and communicate in a deferential role to other offices and entities; and
  • are willing to work on a range of assignments and are comfortable shifting focus as office needs and agency priorities dictate.
This may not be the job for you if you:
  • prefer to mostly research and write your own work product; and/or
  • do not like to review or edit written work drafted by others.
Although experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies is highly preferred, it is not required.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • May be subject to satisfactory completion of a trial period.
  • Direct Deposit : Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • This position is designated a public trust position and is subject to satisfactory completion and favorable adjudication of initial background investigation as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state, Territory, or the District of Columbia and meet the following requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

GS-905-12: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) plus one of the following: a. Superior law student work plus one years of professional legal experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies, one of which must be at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-11; or b. Two years of professional legal experience, one of which must be at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-11; or c. Second professional law degree (LL.M.) plus two years of professional legal experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies, one of which must be at the level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-11.

GS-905-13: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) plus one of the following: a. Superior law student work plus two years of professional legal experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies, one of which must be at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-12; or b. Three years of professional legal experience, one of which must be at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-12; or c. Second professional law degree (LL.M.) plus two years of professional legal experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies, one of which must be at the level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-12.

GS-905-14: The first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) plus one of the following: a. Superior law student work plus three years of professional legal experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies, one of which must be at a level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-13; or b. Four years of professional legal experience, one of which must be at level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-13; or c. Second professional law degree (LL.M.) plus three years of professional legal experience in employment law applicable to federal employees and agencies, one of which must be at the level of difficulty comparable to the GS-905-13.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in employment or labor law applicable to federal employees and agencies or other experience writing or editing the work of an independent multi-member board/commission or a neutral.

***If you are found qualified for this position, you will ONLY be considered at the grade level(s) for which you apply.***

Education

Please see educational qualification requirement information above.

Transcripts are required.

Additional information

  • Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: 1-800-877-8339.
  • MSPB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER and employment decisions are based on merit factors only. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in an employment decision by this agency, you have the right to seek counseling to resolve your complaint. You must do so within 45 days of the alleged discrimination action. If you desire to seek counseling, call the MSPB Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202 653-6772, Ext 4405.
  • Worksite Information: This position may be eligible to telework and may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Additional information regarding ad hoc, occasional, or reoccurring telework may be obtained at a later time from the hiring manager or program during the hiring process.

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.

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.

Your resume must support the following:

  1. You are proficient in the areas described in the Major Duties section above.
  2. Your resume must include dates of employment and a detailed description of each position you held. Failure to do so may impact your eligibility and may remove you from consideration.

Applications will be reviewed and eligibility determined based on the qualifications listed above. Applicants who fail to provide the required information will be determined ineligible. All eligible applications will be referred for further evaluation by subject-matter experts. The selecting official may select any eligible applicant with consideration of an individual's veteran's preference status as a positive factor. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12639501

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

  • Resume that includes: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 5) supervisors phone number and e-mail address for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and, 6) other qualifications.
  • Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing from the jurisdiction in which the applicant is admitted to practice is required at the time of application.
  • Law School Transcripts or List of Coursework: An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if selected, an official law school transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. All education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • Writing Sample: A legal writing sample no more than 10 pages long, such as all or a portion(s) of a brief, memorandum of law, decision letter, or other material demonstrating proficiency in written legal analysis. Please indicate the extent to which the sample represents your unedited work.
  • Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications is preferred but not required.
  • DD-214 (Member 4 Copy): If you are an honorably discharged veteran who wishes to claim veteran's preference as a positive factor in your application. Please also submit an SF-15 with any other documentation required on the form, if applicable.
  • Current/Former Career/Career-Conditional: MUST submit a copy of an SF-50, non-award Notification of Personnel Action, which preferably shows your current grade/position. If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade. AND current Federal employees must also submit your most recently completed annual performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) which identifies the employee's official rating of record, signed by the supervisor, or a statement advising why the performance appraisal is unavailable (e.g., length of time in current position, personnel system outage, etc.).

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).

Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

Thomas Schoessler
Address
MSPB Human Resources
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, your will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to pervis.lee@mspb.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.


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


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements