Attorney-Advisor (General)

Office of Personnel Management

Office of the Inspector General

Summary

As a Attorney-Advisor (General) at the GS-0905-14, you will be part of the Office of the Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management. If selected, will provide legal advice and policy guidance supporting Inspector General programs, represent the OIG in litigation and administrative matters, advise on legislative and regulatory issues, and coordinate with Federal agencies, Congress, and the Department of Justice.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

Provide legal advice and policy guidance supporting Inspector General audits, investigations, evaluations, and agency operations.
Review, analyze, and draft legal opinions, legislative proposals, regulations, and policy documents affecting OIG programs and operations.
Advise on subpoena issuance, enforcement, civil recovery matters, and referrals to the Department of Justice.
Support and represent the OIG in litigation and administrative proceedings before federal courts and adjudicative bodies.
Coordinate with Congress, the Department of Justice, OPM officials, and other Offices of Inspector General on legal and legislative matters.
Develop and deliver legal training and provide guidance to OIG staff on legal authorities, procedures, and emerging issues.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit

Qualifications

Qualifications

A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;

Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and

At least one full year of experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service.

Preferred Qualifications

Providing legal advice and written opinions on matters involving Federal programs, administrative law, litigation, investigations, or agency operations.
Researching, analyzing, and interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, or legislative proposals and preparing legal recommendations, policy documents, or regulatory comments;
Supporting or representing an organization in litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, or matters involving subpoenas, enforcement actions, or referrals to another legal authority;
Advising management officials and coordinating with internal or external stakeholders, including attorneys or government officials, on legal, legislative, regulatory, or policy matters;
Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-demand environment;
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills;
Demonstrated excellence in written and oral advocacy, including the ability to produce high-quality work under demanding time constraints;
Proven ability to analyze and resolve complex legal issues and provide practical, well-reasoned legal advice;
Strong customer service orientation and sound judgment in handling sensitive or challenging matters;
Superior legal research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, including the capacity to synthesize facts and law and reach legally supportable conclusions within compressed timeframes;
Openness to diverse viewpoints and adaptability in responding to evolving priorities and circumstances

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Education

This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement.

Additional information

Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.
Incentive payments may be considered.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Your Resume that includes your bar number and issuing state.
Other supporting documents, as applicable:
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, OPM considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
- Performance Appraisals: Current Federal employees must submit their last three performance appraisals or explain why three are not available (e.g. employed in the government for fewer than three years).
- Responses to four Merit Hiring essay questions described below (optional)

Merit Hiring Questions: Applicants may choose to submit responses to the four essay questions below. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with these responses is not permitted. By submitting responses, you certify that the essays are your own work and were completed without the use of AI.

How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

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

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and the required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST)on 08/24/2026 to receive consideration.The application process is as follows:

Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however most applicants complete the assessment in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically used.

For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the use of USA Hire assessments, review the following resources:https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_AssessmentsTo update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application and click Edit My Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.To view the announcement status or application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ . Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13026592

Agency contact information

Christina Dingle

Phone: 202-936-1648
Email: Christina.Dingle@opm.gov

Address: OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US

Next steps

References, Writing Sample, and Other Supporting Documents: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to: (1) submit three professional references; (2) submit a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length; and/or (3) complete one or more assessments. Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/

Attorney-Advisor (General) Job in Washington, DC