The selectee will serve as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of the Chief Counsel. Typical work assignments include:

• Performing legal research and providing oral and written advice and, counsel related to legal issues involving or impacting Secret Service protective, investigative, and administrative responsibilities.
• Representing the Secret Service in administrative forums such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and Government Accountability Office.
• Providing litigation support to the U.S. Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Offices, to include support regarding discovery matters in federal civil litigation.
• Conducting training in various areas of the law that impact the Secret Service’s mission.
• Providing legal services and advice in the areas of fiscal law, personnel law, procurement, ethics, Federal Tort Claims Act claims, garnishments, Equal Employment Opportunity issues, employee disciplinary matters, Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act appeals, electronic surveillance laws, investigative and protective technologies, computer searches and seizures, and privacy and constitutional laws that pertain to criminal and protection related investigations.

This Attorney Advisor position starts at a salary of $72,750 (GS-11 step 1), with potential to $159,286 (GS-14 step 10). 

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22, 2021.  We will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation will be accepted to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement.

Due to COVID-19, U.S. Secret Service is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 30 days.  At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

• Obtain and maintain a Top Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
• Males born prior to December 31, 1959 must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• The person selected for this position may be subject to a one-year trial period.

Qualifications

Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.

Applicant must have demonstrated superior writing, editing, and oral communication skills.

Experience as a practicing attorney or as a judicial law clerk is preferred.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

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.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This announcement is being filled using the Schedule A Hiring Authority 5 CFR 213.3102 (D) under Excepted Service procedures.  Applicants who meet the qualifications for the position and submit a cover letter, resume and law school transcript will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.  Veterans’ preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to the announcement. Upon review, your resume and supporting documents must show evidence that you have the required qualifications.

Interview Requirement:  Interviews are required for this position.  Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

As part of the interview process, you may be required to provide a legal writing sample and references, and a second interview may be conducted.  These additional assessments will be considered in the selection process.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.