Attorney-Advisor (General)

Summary

With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative advice and counsel, DOI Solicitor's Office performs the legal work for the U.S. Department of the Interior and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than 500 total employees, more than 400 of which are licensed attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission.

Duties

As an Attorney-Advisor with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Division of Employment and Labor Law (DEL), your specific duties will include: Representing the Department before various administrative tribunals in labor and employment law matters, including the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the Federal Service Impasses Panel, and the Office of Special Counsel in all aspects of litigation and labor grievances. Appearing as sole counsel of record in all aspects of employment and labor law litigation, including performing legal analysis and research; conducting witness interviews and evidence-gathering inquiries; drafting litigation pleadings and motions; taking and defending depositions; preparing witnesses for depositions and hearings; appearing as counsel of record in hearings and arbitrations; conducting accurate and effective settlement risk assessments and negotiations with adversaries. Assisting Department of Justice attorneys in litigation involving labor and employment law issues in Federal district and circuit courts. Advising senior Departmental and Bureau officials on federal employment law counseling and policy issues, including Title 5 of the United States Code, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, labor relations pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act, and various executive orders and regulations pertaining to employment actions, including discrimination and labor relations as they relate to federal employment, and relevant civil rights statutes falling under the Department's civil rights programs. Providing policy review, guidance, counseling, and advice to management officials to promote compliance with legal authorities and maximize success in litigation before administrative bodies such as the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Reviewing drafts of management-initiated employment actions and provide written work product under tight deadlines. Researching novel areas of law and providing legal memoranda as requested by clients and SOL leadership. Working closely with and assisting Office of Human Capital, Bureau human resources offices, and senior Departmental management officials with employment related legal concerns. Providing legal review and guidance on management-initiated personnel actions, Department-level policy review and guidance, addressing DEL operational matters, provision of labor law counseling, representing the Department in arbitration, and/or litigation. Salary Range Information (Per Annum): GS-12: $102,415 (Step 01) - $133,142 (Step 10) GS-13: $121,785 (Step 01) - $158,322 (Step 10) GS-14: $143,913 (Step 01) - $187,093 (Step 10) *First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. This position requires occasional weekend work, dependent on workload and supervisory approval.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirements Applicants must be law school graduates with LL.B. or J.D. degrees AND must be an active member in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar. To qualify for a GS-12 applicants must possess at least 2-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; To qualify for a GS-13 applicants must possess at least 3-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; To qualify for a GS-14 applicants must possess at least 4.5-years of professional legal experience following law school graduation; For any of the grades indicated above you can substitute one year of experience with any of the following: have a second professional law degree; OR meet any of the criteria indicated below: academic standing in top one-third of law school graduating class; graduation with academic honors; significant participation on the law school's law review; significant participation in the law school's moot court competition; significant participation in a clinical legal aid program; significant summer law office clerk experience; or other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement. 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. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website:https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements. Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4