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Posted July 26, 2023

Attorney-Advisor (Open Continuous)

DHS Headquarters
Washington, D.C. Full Time
Reference: DHSHeadquarters731933800

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Operations and Enforcement Law Division (OELD).

The primary purpose of this position is to provide support to the Federal Protective Service (FPS). This position will review actions, proposals, and issues regarding execution and oversight of FPS's law enforcement and security mission.

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 an Attorney-Advisor (Open Continuous), GS-0905-14/15, your typical work assignments will be to provide legal support for FPS leadership, staff and law enforcement personnel related to:
  • FPS law enforcement and security operations involving the protection of federal property and persons thereon.
  • Review FPS programs and policies for compliance with applicable statutes, regulations and Executive Orders.
  • Address legal issues on a day-to-day basis on general operational and enforcement matters including issues involving federal facility security.
  • Conduct legal instruction to FPS law enforcement personnel throughout the United States on a variety of legal issues.
  • Provide legal advice, as required, regarding other operational and/or enforcement matters.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Basic Requirements:

GS-14 and 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-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal government. You qualify for the GS-15 grade level is you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the federal government. For this position, specialized experience includes experience in federal criminal litigation at the trial or appellant level and/or providing legal advice to federal law enforcement officers/agencies.

*Applicants must have five or more years of relevant post-JD experience.

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.

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