Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), and in the top 10% of all agency subcomponents across the federal government, 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), and in the top 10% of all agency subcomponents across the federal government, 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). This office 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.
Major duties include:
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. Drafts language for inclusion in reports, reviews reports for legal sufficiency, and edits reports. Recommends legal options and alternative courses of action available to the Department and the OIG.
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.
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.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for the Selective Service.
OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report may be required.
May be subject to initial and random drug testing.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Must have a current Bar License in Good Standing.
This position is in the Excepted Service
May be required to complete a two year trial period.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
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.
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
Desired Qualifications:
While not required, previous experience with the following is highly desired:
Experience providing legal support for criminal and/or civil investigations and/or audits, inspections, or evaluations.
Experience providing legal counsel on government contract law matters, including, but not limited to:
- Reviewing and providing technical assistance on proposed legislation and regulations concerning procurement and/or fiscal law matters;
- Advising on government contract formation, including reviews of solicitation and evaluation documents for source selection, cost accounting issues and contract performance and administration;
- Serving as agency counsel in contract disputes (bid protests) before the Government Accountability Office;
- Advising on procurement integrity and organizational conflict of interest matters
Experience providing legal counsel on government fiscal law matters, including, but not limited to:
- Reviewing and providing technical assistance on proposed legislation and regulations concerning fiscal law matters;
- Advising on questions related to the use of appropriated funds, including, for example, expenditures, obligations, apportionments, reprogramming, and transfers;
- Providing legal support regarding agency consultations with congressional appropriations committees
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
Applicants must meet initial and periodic suitability determinations based on favorable background investigations and updates.
Additional selections may be made from 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.
Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet the qualifications as listed in this announcement. Applicants will be evaluated based on their possession of the following competencies:
Legal Counsel
After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume per Category Rating or Numerical Scoring procedures to ensure that qualification and eligibility requirements are met. If we use the Category Rating procedure, and it is determined that you meet the minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified based on the degree that your application demonstrates possession of:
Skill in applying professional knowledge
Skill in oral and written communication
Skill in litigation
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) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized 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 duties and gained 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 to your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself or any sensitive information.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action(required for current or former Federal employees) - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most recent Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status (box 24 must show "1" or "2" and box 34 must show "1"), title, series, and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also, provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Candidates applying under an interchange agreement must also provide an SF-50 or equivalent document showing interchange eligibility. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
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 before a firm job offer is extended.
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.
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 job opportunity, you must submit a 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 DOI OIG's Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the announcement 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 resume 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/.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
1849 C St.
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
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) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized 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 duties and gained 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 to your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself or any sensitive information.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action(required for current or former Federal employees) - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most recent Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status (box 24 must show "1" or "2" and box 34 must show "1"), title, series, and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also, provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Candidates applying under an interchange agreement must also provide an SF-50 or equivalent document showing interchange eligibility. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
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 before a firm job offer is extended.
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.
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 job opportunity, you must submit a 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 DOI OIG's Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the announcement 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 resume 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/.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
1849 C St.
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
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.
