As an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you will provide legal advice and representation to OPM leaders on a wide variety of issues relating to both the internal work of OPM, as well as OPM's government-wide policies, oversight, and programs that support more than 8 million Federal employees, retirees, and family members.
Summary
As an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you will provide legal advice and representation to OPM leaders on a wide variety of issues relating to both the internal work of OPM, as well as OPM's government-wide policies, oversight, and programs that support more than 8 million Federal employees, retirees, and family members.
This announcement opens April 14, 2023. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, continuing until all vacancies are filled or August 15, 2023, whichever is later. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM (EST) on APRIL 28, 2023 WILL RECEIVE FIRST CONSIDERATION.
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) seeks attorneys to join its dynamic, high-performing team. We are seeking to fill multiple vacancies and, in particular, are looking to hire attorneys to work in one or more of the following areas:
Representing the Agency in important and sensitive litigation, including in administrative proceedings before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and supporting the Department of Justice in Federal district court. For these positions, litigation experience is strongly desired.
Providing legal counsel on matters related to Government-wide suitability, fitness, and personnel vetting policy.
Providing legal counsel on matters related to Government-wide merit-based and inclusive hiring policy;
Providing legal counsel on one or more of a wide array of Federal employee insurance, compensation, retirement, and other programs that serve more than 8 million Federal employees, retirees, and family members across the country.
Providing legal counsel on fiscal, appropriations, and contract matters, including representing the Agency in bid protests at the General Accountability Office.
Attorneys at OPM have a diverse and interesting portfolio of work, providing legal advice and counsel to OPM leaders responsible for governmentwide leadership and direction in the strategic management of the Federal workforce. In addition, attorneys provide legal advice and representation in support and defense of a diverse array of internal OPM operations, including on sensitive and complex personnel, EEO, and procurement matters. Attorneys also work closely with the Department of Justice on litigation affecting OPM; and review and comment on a wide variety of existing and proposed legislative and regulatory proposals.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a trial period
This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit
Appointments made from this announcement are exempt from the competitive service.
Must be a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
At the GS-12 level and above: Applicants with one or more years of post J.D. legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:
A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;
Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
At least one year of experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; at least two years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; and at least three years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-14 level.
At the GS-11 level: Applicants with less than one year of post J.D. legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:
A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;
Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
Academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class (to the extent an applicant's law school has class rank); and
Advanced educational attainment that indicates the ability to independently perform legal work, such as work or achievement of significance on a law school's official law review or journals; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif or winning a moot court competition); full-time or continuous participation in a legal clinic program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation; significant summer clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.
Preferred Qualifications
For some of the multiple vacancies, experience "first chairing" EEO and/or MSPB litigation is strongly desired.
For other vacancies, experience in any of the following areas is strongly desired: suitability, fitness, and personnel vetting; merit-based and inclusive hiring; Federal employee insurance, compensation, or retirement programs; or fiscal, appropriations, and contract law.
For all vacancies, the following are preferred:
The ability to provide excellent customer service and to exercise sound judgment and decision making in challenging situations;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
High competence in legal research and analysis, including the ability to effectively integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, including in compressed timeframes;
The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment;
Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances;
Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently;
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships, both within and outside OGC.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated, official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials must be submitted before your application will be considered complete.
Additional information
Reloation expenses will not be paid.
Incentive payments may be considered.
Veterans' Preference: If you claim veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming in your cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation.If you are claiming 5-point 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 click here. There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Office of Personnel Management considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
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.
We will review your application package to ensure you meet the job requirements.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume;
A Cover Letter, which includes an identification of the GS level(s) for which you are applying;
Proof of active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
4. Other supporting documents, as applicable:
Transcript: If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you will be required to submit your transcript before your application will be considered complete. If you are applying at the GS-12 level or above, you may be required to submit a transcript if you advance in the selection process.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any other documentation.
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.
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJOBS@opm.gov. Please include in the subject line your last name, the job announcement number, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Smith, 23-RGJ-11928320-ATT, GS12 and 13.
You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application.
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
References and Writing Sample: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to submit: (1) three professional references; and (2) a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length.
Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.
After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume;
A Cover Letter, which includes an identification of the GS level(s) for which you are applying;
Proof of active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
4. Other supporting documents, as applicable:
Transcript: If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you will be required to submit your transcript before your application will be considered complete. If you are applying at the GS-12 level or above, you may be required to submit a transcript if you advance in the selection process.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any other documentation.
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.
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJOBS@opm.gov. Please include in the subject line your last name, the job announcement number, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Smith, 23-RGJ-11928320-ATT, GS12 and 13.
You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application.
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
References and Writing Sample: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to submit: (1) three professional references; and (2) a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length.
Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.
After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
