Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. OIG offers exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.
Summary
Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. OIG offers exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.
This position is with the Office of Inspector General, Office of General Counsel (OGC). The OGC is responsible for providing legal advice and services to the Inspector General (IG) with respect to audits, evaluations, inspections, and investigations of the DOI's programs, operations, and employee conduct; investigation of employee complaints; reports to Congress; and the government ethics program.
As an Attorney-Adviser you will be responsible for advising on legal matters pertaining to the oversight of the DOI's programs and operations:
Provides expert legal advice and services to all levels of OIG management on legal matters impacting OIG work. Advises on substantive legal issues encountered in audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations.
Works with OIG attorneys in planning litigation strategies and tactics and developing options, particularly for cases involving sensitive, highly visible issues, facts that are difficult to develop and prove and matters of a precedent-setting nature. Provides representation of the OIG before administrative bodies.
Advises on substantive and legal matters of concern to the OIG regarding the formulation and implementation of policy and handling of sensitive problems requiring discretion and an understanding of the OIG's viewpoint as communicated through the General Counsel, Deputy Inspector General, and/or Inspector General.
Briefs senior management and DOI officials concerning OIG activities and findings. Briefings are presented in a clear, logical and understandable fashion to enable objective and timely decisions. Prepares for and provides testimony in administrative hearings and trials as required.
Prepares and delivers presentations and briefings on legal issues at meetings with other OIGs and other agencies. Prepares Congressional testimony. Prepares and presents cases before Administrative Law Judges, Administrative Judges, or other hearing officials, which includes preparation of legal documents and presentation of witnesses and other evidence.
Drafts legislation or prepares reports on changes in legislation. Drafts or receives proposed legislation and identifies organizations having jurisdiction over programs affected by such proposed changes in law. Evaluates proposed legislation in terms of its foreseeable effects on existing legislation and OIG programs, policies, and operations.
Successful completion of a background investigation.
Subject to initial and random drug testing.
May be required to complete a one year trial period.
OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report is required.
Must have a current Bar License in Good Standing
This position is in the Excepted Service
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Minimum Requirement for the GS-15:
To qualify, applicants MUST fully demonstrate ALL the following minimum requirements to be considered:
Five (5) years of professional legal experience after being admitted to the Bar in a State or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Must be an active member of the bar in good standing of a U.S. state or territory and have a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
Must have experience in federal employment law, including federal employee relations (Title V) and EEO (Title VII), and
Must have experience in federal administrative or federal court litigation
Desired Qualifications:
While not required, previous experience with the following is highly desired:
Experienced attorney with strong written and oral communications skills with a diverse general law background and demonstrated ability to analyze complex, novel legal issues, work collaboratively and manage multiple projects, activities, and issues across multiple practice areas.
Experience practicing before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Experience leading all phases of trial preparation and case presentation (e.g., case investigation, witness preparation, written discovery, document review, deposition practice, development of litigation strategy, motion practice, conducting direct and cross examination, etc.)
Experience providing legal counsel in any of the following practice areas: fiscal law, procurement law, appropriations, government contracts, or federal grants.
Experience providing legal support to auditors or investigators, including assisting with review and preparation of investigative and audit reports
Education
You must have earned a J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member of and be in good standing in the Bar in a State or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Additional information
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
Applicants must meet initial and periodic suitability determinations based on favorable background investigations and updates.
Additional selections may be made within 90 days from the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
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.
Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. We will review your resume against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to place you in one of the following pre-defined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified based on your possession of the minimum qualifications and desired qualifications.
Veterans' Preference:There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the OIG considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and other supporting documentation) to their application submission documentation.
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 documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (REQUIRED at time of application) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the minimum experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.
Proof of Bar Membership (REQUIRED at time of application) - Documentation of active bar membership in good standing of a state or territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar is required.
Transcripts - While not required at the time of application, if you are tentatively selected for the position, official or unofficial transcripts reflecting completion of a Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited school will be required. Official transcripts will be required upon your entrance on duty date.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current Federal employee, please provide a copy of a recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other equivalent document that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please remove your social security number and date of birth.
Veteran's Preference Documentation -There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the OIG considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and other supporting documentation) to verify claimed veteran's preference.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit complete application package including a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the Department of Interior's OIG Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 01/20/2023 to complete the following application process:
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application, which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact HR Assistant at doioig_vacancies@doioig.gov or 703-487-5408 to obtain an alternative application. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
1849 C St.
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
Note: If a determination is made that qualifications and/or experience have been inflated, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified by email of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (REQUIRED at time of application) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the minimum experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.
Proof of Bar Membership (REQUIRED at time of application) - Documentation of active bar membership in good standing of a state or territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar is required.
Transcripts - While not required at the time of application, if you are tentatively selected for the position, official or unofficial transcripts reflecting completion of a Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited school will be required. Official transcripts will be required upon your entrance on duty date.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current Federal employee, please provide a copy of a recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other equivalent document that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please remove your social security number and date of birth.
Veteran's Preference Documentation -There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the OIG considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and other supporting documentation) to verify claimed veteran's preference.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit complete application package including a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the Department of Interior's OIG Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 01/20/2023 to complete the following application process:
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application, which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact HR Assistant at doioig_vacancies@doioig.gov or 703-487-5408 to obtain an alternative application. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
1849 C St.
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
Note: If a determination is made that qualifications and/or experience have been inflated, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified by email of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
