GENERAL ATTORNEY

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens, including veterans eligible under the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (VOW), and Nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island).

The candidate selected for this position will:

• Provide legal counsel, interpretation, and advice on program matters of the Corporation.
• Conduct litigation in cases of all sizes (including highly complex and significant cases) where attorneys conduct discovery, draft complaints, briefs, motions, pleadings, and other legal documents, and represent the agency in court.
• Advocate agency positions.
• Investigate complex facts, extensive research and review of statutes, policies, procedures, regulations, and directives using computerized research methods, pertinent laws, legal opinions, and precedents.
• Negotiate with plan administrators and attorneys on agreements and other legal documents and draft a variety of complex documents, such as agreements for termination, trusteeship, security and claims settlements.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You may undergo a personnel security background investigation.
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
• 1-year probationary period required unless met during prior Federal service.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

As a General Attorney in the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Bankruptcy, Transactions and Terminations Department (BTTD) at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), you will have to demonstrate the following:

GS-14:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the private sector with litigation experience and prior experience in at least one of the following areas: EmployeeRetirement Income Security Act (ERISA); Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law; Administrative Law; Corporate Transactional Law, or Complex Civil Litigation.

Examples include: serving as an authoritative attorney within an organization; serving on and directing task forces, case teams, or committees; participating in training entry-level attorneys; analyzing and applying laws related to complex regulatory schemes; drafting complex transactional documents; representing clients in bankruptcy or federal district court; and providing advice regarding ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be assessed against the minimum qualification requirements for this position (education, bar membership, and specialized experience).

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13026412

RESUME: You must submit a resume. Your resume must include your name and contact information and should clearly show your possession of the specialized experience and KSAs so that we can determine your qualifications for this position. Your resume should be specific to the position you are applying for, relating your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting.

PLEASE DO NOT include photographs, hypertext/hyperlinks, or other inappropriate material or content. This information will not be used to make eligibility or qualification determinations.

COVER LETTER (OPTIONAL): Your cover letter should state your interest in this position and the strengths that you feel will make you an asset to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. We will not use your cover letter to determine your qualifications; however, your cover letter will go to the Selecting Official along with your resume if you are referred.

LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT(S) (REQUIRED): You must submit transcripts to verify that you meet the educational requirement for this position. Information on the specific education requirement can be found under Education in the vacancy announcement. Your transcripts should include course titles, school name/location, date completed, grades, and number of credits earned. Applicants who obtained their qualifying education outside of the U.S. and its territories must provide proof that their degrees have been validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a college or university in the U.S. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application; however, you must bring official transcripts with your first day if you are hired. Please see the Education section of this announcement for additional information.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

PROOF OF BAR MEMBERSHIP (REQUIRED): This position requires you to be an active member of the bar (of any jurisdiction) and in good standing. You must submit proof of your membership to verify that you meet this requirement. In the event that you do not have a valid certificate of bar membership or good standing available at the time of application, please submit other evidence of bar membership (e.g., proof of payment of bar dues, a printout from a website indicating active bar membership) with your application; however, you must bring an official, valid certificate with you on your first day if you are hired.

Failure to submit the required documents will result in an incomplete application.

Next steps