Law Clerk

Clarification from the agency

US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island).

This vacancy is developed for applicants seeking entry level attorney positions but who have not yet been admitted to the bar. Once the Incumbent is admitted to the bar and with satisfactory performance, the position may be converted to a GS -0905 - 11 Attorney Adviser position, as further described below. The position will terminate if the Incumbent fails to be admitted to the bar within 14 months of appointment to the Law Clerk position.

As a Law Clerk, you will perform various duties to support OGC and its mission to deliver legal support to GSA. OGC's practice areas include procurement, real estate, information technology, litigation, etc. The Law Clerk will be expected to perform the following duties: 

• Performs tasks for the Office of the General Counsel requiring legal analysis and judgment.
• Develops information about each assignment through search of documents and/or personal conversations with program officials and others.
• Prepares draft replies to congressional inquiries, correspondence with other agencies, and correspondence with GSA officials.
• Reviews correspondence prepared by program personnel of the services or staff office for legal sufficiency.

One or more positions may be filled using the vacancy announcement.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a two-year trial period.
• Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• 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.
• Trial Period - If selected, you may be required to complete a two-year trial period.
•  Applicants must complete Bar admission (Licensed and Sworn in) within fourteen (14) months of being hired in order to maintain employment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-09 salary range starts at $70,623 per year.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

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-9 applicants must have:

1. Successful completion of a full course of study and possession of a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (at the time of graduation).

Candidates will be assessed either based solely on basic eligibility requirements or may include a qualitative rating of candidates.

Applicants must complete Bar admission (Licensed and Sworn in) within fourteen (14) months of being hired in order to maintain employment.

Upon ADMISSION TO THE BAR and satisfactory performance, the Law Clerk (GS-0904-09) position may be converted to the Attorney Advisor (GS-0905-11) position. This position will terminate if the incumbent fails to be admitted to the bar within 14 months of appointment to the Law Clerk position.

How you will be evaluated

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

Candidates' resumes will be used to evaluate their experience. However, the resume does not constitute the sole source of how you will be evaluated. The candidates’ experience will also be assessed during an interview (if applicable), with particular emphasis on the candidate's comprehension of the requirements pertinent to the specific area. While possession of the competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below is preferred, it is not required:

1. Knowledge of the policies and program functions of an organization to perform legal analysis and judgement.

2. Ability to conduct legal research.

3. Ability to analyze factual and legal issues involved in specific assigned cases.

4. Ability to communicate orally.

5. Ability to communicate in writing to prepare answers to legal problems and questions pertaining to factual situations.

Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your resume. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you may be asked to address them later in the application process.

U.S. citizenship is required.

GSA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility.

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. Your resume must contain the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number, email address;

• Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);

• Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.

• Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.

Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.

Law School transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, an official transcript 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.

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