The FLRA's Office of General Counsel investigates and prosecutes labor violations within the federal government, conducts union elections, and resolves representation disputes. As a Law Clerk you will investigate allegations of unfair labor practices, bring charges to trial, draft appeals, conduct union elections, and serve as a hearing officer. Attorneys also provide training to employees and managers across the federal government and engage in alternative dispute resolution.
Summary
The FLRA's Office of General Counsel investigates and prosecutes labor violations within the federal government, conducts union elections, and resolves representation disputes. As a Law Clerk you will investigate allegations of unfair labor practices, bring charges to trial, draft appeals, conduct union elections, and serve as a hearing officer. Attorneys also provide training to employees and managers across the federal government and engage in alternative dispute resolution.
As a General Attorney Law Clerk, your typical work assignments may include
- Interviewing witnesses and collecting documentary evidence to assess whether unfair labor practices occurred;
- Negotiating settlements of unfair labor practice disputes, including backpay and other remedies;
- Researching and drafting briefs, motions, and other legal documents;
- Preparing witnesses and litigating unfair labor practice complaints before Administrative Law Judges;
- Conducting representation elections and hearings and drafting Decisions and Orders; and
- Provide training on federal labor law to interested parties.
Must be able to pass and maintain a background investigation.
New attorneys to the Federal government will be required to serve a trial period of 2 years.
Must possess the 1st professional law degree from an accredited law school.
Must complete Bar Exam within 14 months of employment.
Qualifications
Law Clerk (Labor), GS-0904-11:
Bar Membership: Applicants must successfully complete the Bar Exam within 14 months of employment and, thereafter, be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a federal court of general jurisdiction.
Applicants must be a graduate of a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association.
Have completed a year of acceptable performance in the same or closely related work at the GS-9 level.
For entry-level hires at the Grade 11 level, superior law student work or activities as demonstrated by one of the following MAY be substituted for the one year of professional legal experience needed to qualify for the GS-11:
Academic standing in the upper third of the law school graduating class;
Work or achievement of significance on law school's official law review;
Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
Winning of a moot court competition or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
Full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program, as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation;
Significant law-office-clerk experience in labor relations or a related field; or
Other equivalent evidence of clearly superior achievement.
Education
Professional legal education beyond the first professional law degree may be substituted for professional legal experience as follows:
The second professional law degree (LL.M.) which requires one full year of graduate study may be substituted for one year of professional legal experience.
The third professional law degree (S.J.D.) may be substituted for one additional year of professional legal experience.
Additional information
Promotion Potential: This position is graded at a GS-11 level with promotion potential to the GS-14 level. Employees are eligible to be promoted to the next grade level following one year at the lower grade. If beginning at the GS-11 level, fully successful employees may reach the GS-14 level after three years. Future promotions are not guaranteed and are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. To see the current salary for each grade for the Chicago Region: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ salary-tables/ pdf/2023/CHI.pdf
Appointments for Law Clerks are for 14-months pending bar association admission. Participants may be converted to an entry-level attorney position after admittance to a state bar association.
Equal Opportunity Employer - FLRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, union affiliation or non-affiliation, marital status, or any other non-merit reason.
Hatch Act - The Hatch Reform Amendments of 1993 (Public Law 103-94) prohibit individuals from requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations (as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 2202) in effecting personnel actions.
Reasonable Accommodation - FLRA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the FLRA's Human Resources Division. Decisions on reasonable accommodation requests will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Transportation and Relocation ExpensesAre Not Authorized - FLRA will not pay any travel, transportation, or relocation expenses. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty are the responsibility of the selected candidate.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well your education and experience demonstrate the ability to perform the duties described above.
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.
Resume: A resume that includes announcement number, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Transcript: You must submit a copy of your transcript and grade-point average or class ranking, to prove that you possess a Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar (ABA)-accredited law school if you graduated within the past five years. If you have five years or more practicing law, your transcript is not required.
Writing Sample: A writing sample must be submitted as part of your application package. Samples of persuasive writing are preferred, and should not exceed ten (10) double-spaced pages. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
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.
You must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Chicago Regional Office
224 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 445
Chicago, IL 60604-2505
US
Next steps
If you meet the qualification requirements included in the announcement, your application will be rated based on your supporting documents. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume: A resume that includes announcement number, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
Transcript: You must submit a copy of your transcript and grade-point average or class ranking, to prove that you possess a Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar (ABA)-accredited law school if you graduated within the past five years. If you have five years or more practicing law, your transcript is not required.
Writing Sample: A writing sample must be submitted as part of your application package. Samples of persuasive writing are preferred, and should not exceed ten (10) double-spaced pages. This documentation must be submitted with your application package.
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.
You must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Chicago Regional Office
224 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 445
Chicago, IL 60604-2505
US
Next steps
If you meet the qualification requirements included in the announcement, your application will be rated based on your supporting documents. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
