Attorney Advisor

Summary

Serves as an Attorney Advisor concerning highly complex legal issues involving interpretations of criminal, civil, and administrative law as they relate to the programs of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the General Services Administration (GSA). Location of position: Office of Inspector General (OIG) Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (JC) 1800 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20405 We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is seeking a highly qualified attorney for the Office of Counsel whose responsibilities will include advising OIG managers, auditors and investigators on legal issues relating to nationwide OIG operations. Applicants will provide legal advice on a range of matters, including: Advising on and representing the agency in Federal employment law matters. Government contract law, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the GSA Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) program, cost principles for construction claims, the requirements of the Trade Agreements and Buy American Acts, and other issues. OIG Attorneys work with the Department of Justice, other OIGs, and OIG components on False Claims Act litigation related to GSA contracts and programs. OIG Attorneys also participate in processing mandatory FAR disclosures, including review of and advice on legal issues, coordination with company counsel, and determination of appropriate resolution. The Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. Administrative and statutory law, government ethics, constitutional and criminal law, federal whistleblower laws, rights, and remedies, fiscal and appropriations law, procurement and fraud law, suspension and debarment, and federal tort law. Familiarity and experience with the Inspector General Act and federal whistleblower laws, rights, and remedies is desirable. Additionally, OIG attorneys periodically support special projects, including investigations, evaluations and the preparation of substantive responses to Legislative or other requestors. OIG Attorneys consult with all levels of OIG managers and employees and represent the OIG in discussions with other OIG Counsel offices, the GSA, and other Federal agencies including the Department of Justice. Attorneys in the Office of Counsel additionally provide training to OIG employees on legal issues

Qualifications

The GS-15 salary range starts at $169,279 per year. The GS-14 salary range starts at $143,913 per year (includes locality pay). Locality pay will be determined once the duty location has been established. 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-14, you must possess ALL of the following: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and possession of at least the initial professional law degree (J.D.); Bar Membership: You must be an active member of the bar; in good standing of a State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and Experience: You must have at least 2 years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, with demonstrated skill in preparing for litigation and specialized experience applying Federal Government personnel law, the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal procurement and appropriations law, and/or Government ethics rules. To qualify for the GS-15, you must possess ALL of the following: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and possession of at least the initial professional law degree (J.D.); Bar Membership: You must be an active member of the bar; in good standing of a State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and Experience: You must have at least 5 years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, with demonstrated skill in preparing for litigation and specialized experience applying Federal Government personnel law, the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal procurement and appropriations law, and/or Government ethics rules.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered. A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the resumes of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the four required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses. Ability to demonstrate Advance Legal Analysis, Interpretation, and Advisory Expertise. Experience preparing for and representing a party in litigation. Experience providing legal advice related to federal program areas. Ability to conduct and direct complex legal research, engage in sound legal analysis, and present the results in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner, both in writing and verbally. Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your resume. If you are the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. The Office of Counsel will evaluate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. The Office of Counsel will consider relevant skills and experience, education and training, performance, and awards. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

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. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Your resume must contain the following information: Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Postion title Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic, general, or specialized experience requirements for each grade level you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible. "There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the GSA OIG considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions. College transcripts: You must submit a copy of your law school transcripts. Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, official transcript(s) 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. Proof of bar membership: Applicants who are extended a tentative offer must provide a current certificate of good standing from their state licensing authority. If the required document is not submitted, you will be deemed not eligible for the position. Writing sample: Applicants are required to submit a writing sample not exceeding ten pages as part of their application.

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job. If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details. Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). Need Assistance? Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

What to Expect Next

After the closing date/deadline: ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes. FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard. Thank you for your interest in working for the GSA Office of Inspector General!

Additional Information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage. Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility. Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

The GS-15 salary range starts at $169,279 per year. The GS-14 salary range starts at $143,913 per year (includes locality pay). Locality pay will be determined once the duty location has been established. 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-14, you must possess ALL of the following: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and possession of at least the initial professional law degree (J.D.); Bar Membership: You must be an active member of the bar; in good standing of a State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and Experience: You must have at least 2 years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, with demonstrated skill in preparing for litigation and specialized experience applying Federal Government personnel law, the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal procurement and appropriations law, and/or Government ethics rules. To qualify for the GS-15, you must possess ALL of the following: Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and possession of at least the initial professional law degree (J.D.); Bar Membership: You must be an active member of the bar; in good standing of a State, a Territory of the United States, District of Columbia or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and Experience: You must have at least 5 years of relevant legal experience as a practicing attorney, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position, with demonstrated skill in preparing for litigation and specialized experience applying Federal Government personnel law, the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal procurement and appropriations law, and/or Government ethics rules.