Duties
We are seeking to fill multiple vacancies and, in particular, are looking to hire attorneys to practice in one or more of the following areas:
- Representing the agency in important and sensitive litigation, including in administrative proceedings before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) and supporting the Department of Justice in Federal district court. For these positions, litigation experience is strongly desired.
- Providing legal advice and assistance on the agency's regulatory work, including drafting and reviewing regulations and advising as to regulatory process.
- Providing legal advice and assistance on internal and governmentwide labor relations matters, including advising the human resources office and agency management in collective bargaining.
- Providing legal advice and assistance regarding oversight of the agency and its programs by entities including Congress, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office.
- Supporting the Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) and Alternate DAEO in the full range of agency ethics program operations, including advising employees, reviewing financial disclosure reports, and training.
- Providing legal advice and assistance to FOIA staff and reviewing FOIA appeals.
- Other duties as assigned.
Attorneys at OPM have a diverse and interesting portfolio of work, providing legal advice and representation in support and defense of a diverse array of both OPM's internal operations as well as its governmentwide leadership and direction in the strategic management of the Federal workforce.
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
- This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit
- Appointments made from this announcement are exempt from the competitive service
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
At the GS-12 level and above: Applicants with one or more years of post J.D. legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:
- 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 year of experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; at least two years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; and at least three years of progressively responsible experience, preferably including supervisory experience, to qualify at the GS-14 level.
At the GS-11 level: Applicants with less than one year of post J.D. legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:
- 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;
- Academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class (to the extent an applicant's law school has class rank); and
- Advanced educational attainment that indicates the ability to independently perform legal work, such as work or achievement of significance on a law school's official law review or journals; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif or winning a moot court competition); full-time or continuous participation in a legal clinic program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation; significant summer clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.
Preferred Qualifications
- If applying for a litigation position, experience "first chairing" MSPB and/or EEO litigation;
- The ability to provide excellent customer service and to exercise sound judgment and decision making in challenging situations;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- High competence in legal research and analysis, including the ability to effectively integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, including in compressed timeframes;
- The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment;
- Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances;
- Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently; and
- Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships, both within and outside OGC.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement.
If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated, official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials must be submitted before your application will be considered complete.
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. Learn 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.
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How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJobs@opm.gov. Please include in the subject line your last name, the job announcement number, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Smith, 23-123-ABC-OPM, GS12 and 13.
You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application.
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.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.