As an Attorney-Advisor (General), you will provide legal services to the General Services Administration service and staff offices in the Central Office.
Location of position: General Services Administration, Office of General Counsel, Washington, DC
The Office of General Counsel carries out all of GSA's legal activities with the exception of counsel to the Office of Inspector General and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Summary
As an Attorney-Advisor (General), you will provide legal services to the General Services Administration service and staff offices in the Central Office.
Location of position: General Services Administration, Office of General Counsel, Washington, DC
The Office of General Counsel carries out all of GSA's legal activities with the exception of counsel to the Office of Inspector General and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Serve as the senior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) counsel at GSA providing legal advice to the FOIA and Privacy Act program offices. Also serve as the primary legal advisor to GSA’s Committee Management Secretariat in its oversight of the Federal Advisory Committee Act program.
Major duties include:
Provide written and oral advice and reviewing regulations and other issuances for legal sufficiency,
Interpret statutes and regulations relating to each program.
Prepare documents related to litigation including answers, briefs, and declarations, and otherwise assisting DOJ in defending GSA in litigation brought under the FOIA/PA.
Determine whether the records located during the processing of a FOIA/PA request can be released in full, in part, or withheld.
Stay abreast of any changes in FOIA/PA/FACA law.
Ensure that searches and processing are conducted in accordance with applicable policies, law, regulations and procedures.
Provide training to staff in the FOIA, Privacy and Committee Management Secretariat program offices on applicable laws and regulations.
US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
Meet all eligibility requirements as of the closing date.
Register with Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES political appointee
Undergo and pass a background investigation: Nonsensitive, Level, T2,
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.
Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
Serve a one year supervisory or managerial probationary period, if required.
Serve a two year trial period if new to the federal government, if required.
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.
For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here.
The GS-15 salary range starts at $142,701 per year in the Washington, DC area
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.
To qualify, you must:
Have a professional law degree (J.D., LL.M, or S.J.D.) from an accredited law school;
Be a current member of the bar, in good standing, of a State, a Territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
Have five years of broad, professional legal experience in matters that demonstrates a thorough and wide knowledge of basic principles in the legal profession and (a) outstanding technical competence in the original successful solution of unusual and complex problems or (b) ability in the planning, direction, or coordination of a legal problem. At least one year of this experience must be specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service.
Experience serving as the lead attorney responsible for an agency’s FOIA program.
Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
We are currently filling 1 vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement, as needed; through other means; or not at all.
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service. It is excluded from provisions of the career transition assistance program.
Before being hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application if you have not done this. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subjected to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be rated according to qualifications, general experience, specialized experience, demonstrated ability and willingness to meet requirements of position, and demonstrated interest in the practice area. Eligible candidates are evaluated on your resume to assess your overall possession of the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:
Knowledge of the laws of the states comprising the Central Office, which include the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia as they relate to the conduct of providing complete legal services and advice in connection with the activities of the FOIA program and the Privacy Officer. Skill in oral and written communications.
Knowledge of legal concepts and technical skills in the areas of FOIA, the Privacy Act, and administrative law.
Ability to use judgment in dealing with sensitive issues. Must possess skill in oral communication to present sensitive recommendations to higher authority to obtain compliance with policies for activities nationwide, to articulate positions/policy of vast and technical complexity and to represent the agency on task forces.
We will verify your resume possesses the above competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities listed.
Additional assessments may be used, and, if so, you will be provided with further instructions.
If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
If you are claiming veterans’ preference:
Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows the dates of your active duty service. If selected, a DD-214 showing your type of discharge (member 4 copy) will be required prior to appointment.
If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (a spouse, widow or widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (a) completed SF-15 form; and (b) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
If you are active duty military - Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
College/Law School Transcripts: You must submit a photocopy of your law school transcript(s). If selected, an official/sealed 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. See Application of Qualification Standards at OPM's General Schedule Qualification Policies website for information on crediting education.
Bar Membership: Submit proof of active membership in good standing (Copy of Certification) of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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.
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.
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); USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process) or FAX (read the “Fax instructions” provided prior to printing the Fax Cover Sheet and faxing your information).
Need Assistance in Applying? Contact the HR representative listed on the announcement prior to the application deadline. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday during normal business hours. 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.
GSA, Office of General Counsel
General Services Administration
OHRM, Washington Area Service Center
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
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 status by logging into USAJOBS. Go to My USAJOBS and then to Applications.
Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
If you are claiming veterans’ preference:
Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows the dates of your active duty service. If selected, a DD-214 showing your type of discharge (member 4 copy) will be required prior to appointment.
If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (a spouse, widow or widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (a) completed SF-15 form; and (b) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
If you are active duty military - Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
College/Law School Transcripts: You must submit a photocopy of your law school transcript(s). If selected, an official/sealed 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. See Application of Qualification Standards at OPM's General Schedule Qualification Policies website for information on crediting education.
Bar Membership: Submit proof of active membership in good standing (Copy of Certification) of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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.
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.
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); USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process) or FAX (read the “Fax instructions” provided prior to printing the Fax Cover Sheet and faxing your information).
Need Assistance in Applying? Contact the HR representative listed on the announcement prior to the application deadline. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday during normal business hours. 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.
GSA, Office of General Counsel
General Services Administration
OHRM, Washington Area Service Center
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
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 status by logging into USAJOBS. Go to My USAJOBS and then to Applications.
Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
