Supervisory Attorney-Advisor (General)

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), General Law Division (GLD), Labor and Employment Law Branch (LEL).

The primary purpose of this position is to lead a team of attorneys and paralegals providing representation and advice on labor and employment matters; advise senior leadership on personnel management issues, initiatives and policies, and matters of legal interpretation.

Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. As a Supervisory Attorney-Advisor (General), GS-0905-15, your typical work assignments may include:

• Serving as a first line or second line supervisor for approximately fifteen attorneys and two paralegals who provide legal advice and guidance to DHS management on all personnel related issues.
• Serving as the Assistant General Counsel and principal legal advisor for labor and employment issues. Overseeing complex legal research and the development of written and verbal analysis and advice for senior officials. Conducting necessary conferences and consultation to provide legal counsel to the Department's senior leadership on the full spectrum of federal sector labor and employment law issues.
• Negotiating complex and unique issues, often with high-level personnel, individuals from various parts of the Department, and individuals from the other federal agencies, to obtain the necessary balance between conflicting interests, factual issues, and policy considerations. Maintaining continuing liaison with clients and other subject matters within the Department, including by consulting with component legal offices regarding difficult legal issues. Providing leadership on Department-wide initiatives that implicate labor and employment law issues, including policy development.
• Overseeing the representation of the Department before various administrative tribunals to include the Merit System Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and the Office of Special Counsel. Assisting the Department of Justice in litigation involving labor and/or employment matters in U.S. federal district and appellate courts.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Basic Requirements:

GS-15:

1. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD) or the second professional law degree (LL.M.); AND
2. Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that is commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual's background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.

Specialized Experience:
The skills and experience listed immediately below are of particular importance to the position, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas, where applicable, as part of their application.

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal government. Specialized experience is experience providing legal advice and representation on matters related to the legal topics listed in the "Duties" section above.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.