In addition to deciding appeals of USDA Administrative Law Judges, the Judicial Officer issues reparation decisions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
Summary
In addition to deciding appeals of USDA Administrative Law Judges, the Judicial Officer issues reparation decisions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
At the GS-14 full performance level, the incumbent will:
Conducts extensive legal research, construes and applies court decisions, statutes, Executive Orders, opinions of the Attorney General, and Comptroller General, regulations and other legal authorities in the solution of legal problems.
Review legislative history of pertinent statutes and relevant Congressional testimony and may draft language to be included in OALJ decisions.
Plan and carry out legal reviews, analyses, presentations, and other work independently.
When serving as a presiding official or hearing officer in assigned cases, function independently without supervision, subject only to appellate rights of the parties.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
You must successfully pass a background investigation
Selective Service registration required
Applicants must provide proof of a law degree from an ABA accredited law school .
Applicants must provide date of admission to the Bar, state and license number.
Teleworking is limited to one day per week per current USDA policy.
Qualifications
Applicants qualify at the GS-12 level by demonstration of the following:
Have in excess of two (2) years of relevant legal experience that includes presenting cases or conducting rulemaking and adjudicatory hearings requiring knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act. Experience includes assessing civil penalties and potential license revocation in cases involving regulated industries, and determining whether conduct constitutes deceptive or unfair trade practices. Applicants applied creative legal analysis and sound legal judgment to find appropriate precedent or distinguish applicable law or facts to support or justify legal positions.
Applicants have demonstrated an ability to work independently under general supervision and deliver drafts of written work for adoption by higher authority that go through a subsequent writing process before it is finalized.
Applicants qualify at the GS-13 level by demonstration of the following:
Have in excess of three (3) years of relevant legal experience that includes presenting cases or conducting rulemaking and adjudicatory hearings requiring knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act. Duties included addressing difficult legal questions and factual issues requiring extensive research, analysis, and evaluation. Work involved a frequent absence of precedent. In assessing civil penalties and potential license revocation in cases involving regulated industries, and determining whether conduct constitutes deceptive or unfair trade practices. The applicant worked independently under general supervision and delivered written work that is assumed to be complete and accurate with respect to facts and law, but may be reviewed for soundness of approach and application of legal principles.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience for the GS-12 and GS-13 level, applicants must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and be licensed to practice law as an attorney under the laws of a state, territory or the District of Columbia. Applicants must present a copy of their diploma or transcripts as proof of law school graduation. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in non-consideration for the position.
AND
Must be a member in good standing of the Bar and admitted to practice in the highest court of State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory or DC. Applicants must provide evidence of their good standing of the bar and admittance to practice. You must provide your date of admission to the Bar, state, and license number. Failure to do so will result in non-consideration for this position.
Education
Applicants must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and be licensed to practice law as an attorney under the laws of a state, territory or the District of Columbia. Transcripts must be provided.
Additional information
OHA offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. OHA is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
E-Verify
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online if at all possible. Applying online, through your USAJOBS account, will expedite the application process and allow you to check your application status as well as verify the documentation submitted with your application. If you utilize the Alternate Application method, your USAJOBS account will not display this application and you will not receive status updates.
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 evaluated on their resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:
Laws, Regulations, and Procedures
Legal Research
Oral Communication
Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on www.fedshirevets.gov.
If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the Assessment Questionnaire,
The application of veterans preference does not apply to attorney positions in the Federal government.
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.
1. Your resume
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire
3. Your law school transcripts,
Applicants applying under a Schedule A, non-competitive appointment, must provide documentation from a doctor, rehabilitation center, or some other source showing proof of your disability.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM EST on 06/24/2019. To begin your online application:
You need to create a login.gov account, if you don't already have one. Your old USAJOBS username and password won't work anymore. You'll need to:
Create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
Enter an email address during the account set up - use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
Create a new password.
Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code.
Finish setting up your login.gov account.
Once you've finished setting up your login.gov account, you'll go back to USAJOBS to finish the process. Double check your USAJOBS Profile to make sure all of your information is accurate.
You need to use your login.gov email address, password and security code every time you want to sign into USAJOBS.
Follow the prompts in USAJOBS to take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more details.Note: We recommend you don't use a .gov, .mil or .edu email address. Instead, you should use a personal (non-government) email address when you create your login.gov account.
You also can't use an email address you share with someone else.
Office of Hearings and Appeals
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
View more information on applying for federal employment.
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Hearings and Appeals, National Appeals Division.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Your resume
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire
3. Your law school transcripts,
Applicants applying under a Schedule A, non-competitive appointment, must provide documentation from a doctor, rehabilitation center, or some other source showing proof of your disability.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM EST on 06/24/2019. To begin your online application:
You need to create a login.gov account, if you don't already have one. Your old USAJOBS username and password won't work anymore. You'll need to:
Create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
Enter an email address during the account set up - use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
Create a new password.
Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code.
Finish setting up your login.gov account.
Once you've finished setting up your login.gov account, you'll go back to USAJOBS to finish the process. Double check your USAJOBS Profile to make sure all of your information is accurate.
You need to use your login.gov email address, password and security code every time you want to sign into USAJOBS.
Follow the prompts in USAJOBS to take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more details.Note: We recommend you don't use a .gov, .mil or .edu email address. Instead, you should use a personal (non-government) email address when you create your login.gov account.
You also can't use an email address you share with someone else.
Office of Hearings and Appeals
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
View more information on applying for federal employment.
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Hearings and Appeals, National Appeals Division.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
