The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has exclusive jurisdiction over decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board or BVA). The Court reviews Board decisions appealed by claimants who believe the Board erred in its decision. The Court's review of Board decisions is based on the record before the agency and arguments of the parties, which are presented in a written brief, with oral argument generally held only in cases presenting new legal issues.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has exclusive jurisdiction over decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board or BVA). The Court reviews Board decisions appealed by claimants who believe the Board erred in its decision. The Court's review of Board decisions is based on the record before the agency and arguments of the parties, which are presented in a written brief, with oral argument generally held only in cases presenting new legal issues.
CS 12/13/14 (equivalate to GS 12/13/14). CS-12 ($99,200 to 128,956); CS-13 (117,962 to 153,354) CS-14 (139,395 to 181,216).
The staff attorney-advisor position is in the Court's Central Legal Staff, which is located in the Office of the Clerk of the Court. The duties and responsibilities of the position are performed under the general supervision of the Chief Staff Attorney-Advisor or a Judge and include, but are not limited to:
Background security investigation is required for all new hires. Appointment is subject to successful completion of fingerprinting and background security investigation with favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
This appointment is made without regard to Title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service. All appointments are excepted service.
Applicants applying for a 5 or 10 point preference must submit proof of their eligibility, along with their application, for the preference to be considered.
Note: Selectee will be subject to a one-year probationary period. Telework eligible, as determined by Court policy.
Qualifying Requirements: Applicants must possess a professional law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools, and be a member of the bar of the highest court of any state, the District of Columbia, or a territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States. In addition, applicants must have two years of post-J.D./LL.B. legal work experience to qualify for grade 12, three years of post-J.D./LL.B. legal work experience to qualify for grade 13, or four years of post-J.D./LL.B. legal work experience to qualify for grade 14. One year must be at, or equivalent to, the next lower grade in the federal service.
Legal Work Experience: Progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school.
Experience in Veterans' Benefits Law required. Mediation experience and judicial law clerk experience would be beneficial.
Educational Substitutions: An LL.M. degree is equivalent to one year of legal work experience.
Please read the "Qualifications" section.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.
Instructions for Applying: Applications must include the following: Cover letter, resume, completed Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), a self-edited legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages, and two professional references (non-family members) with the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. A copy of the OF-306 can be found on the Court's website https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/ under Employment. Submit application packet to: Human Resources Office at employment@uscourts.cavc.gov. Please include the vacancy announcement number in the subject line. Please submit all electronic documents in one file. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials may result in your not being considered for employment.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Please submit your application packet to: employment@uscourts.cavc.gov
Once your completed application package is received, we will conduct an evaluation and the selected candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for future consideration and possible interview.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
