This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Office of Judge Advocate General (CG-094), Office of General Law (CG-LGL), Washington, DC.
Summary
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Office of Judge Advocate General (CG-094), Office of General Law (CG-LGL), Washington, DC.
You will serve as Senior Attorney primarily responsible for litigation with respect to civilian personnel; civil rights; and labor and employment law. Specific areas of expertise are civilian personnel law; merit systems; Equal Employment Opportunity law; labor law; civil rights; and litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Office of Special Counsel, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority. You may occasionally take on legal counseling duties or serve on interagency teams in the same substantive areas.
Being a Coast Guard (CG) civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team. Typical work assignments include:
Provide high quality legal representation in all civilian employment litigation across the Coast Guard. Acts as trial attorney before examiners and Administrative Law Judges representing the Government, DHS, and USCG activities before the Office of Personnel Management, MSPB, EEOC on mediations, employee grievances, appeals, adverse actions, and EEO complaints and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) on issues concerning unit representation petitions and unfair labor practices (ULP) under Title VII, Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), as amended.
Oversee and assist in the preparation and presentation of all cases to ensure that issues involving major policy questions are adequately presented before these tribunals.
Act as the reviewing authority for grievances and appeals made by civilian employees to the Secretary of DHS, OPM, and MSPB and prepares USCG's position when cases are appealed to the EEOC, the MSPB, and the FLRA
Provide professional legal advice and related services to a range of individuals in the agency; provide authoritative advice and assistance on the effects of laws, executive orders, and DHS policies on existing and proposed CG civilian personnel and civil rights practices.
Prepare written opinions and responses to proposed legislation, regulations, executive orders, and policies affecting the civilian personnel and civil rights programs. Prepares complex proposals, responses to policy inquiries, letters, legal memoranda, and testimony.
Advocate on behalf of agency before courts, boards, commissions and other fora charged with the adjudication of civilian personnel; civil rights; and labor and employment law; conduct opening statements and closing arguments; direct examination; cross examination; and makes on the spot objections supported by law and Federal/Court Rules.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Key Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship is required.
This position requires membership in the State Bar.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
All Candidates must possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from an accredited law school;
AND
Must be a member in good standing of the appropriate licensing authority of any state, territory of the United States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or District of Columbia bar.
AND
To qualify for the GS-14 level position, must: have successfully completed at least one full year of professional legal experience as a practicing attorney equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service, as reflected in the nature and complexity of case work and legal issues for which responsible, the level of responsibility exercised, and the degree to which such experience equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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
Education
Education Requirements:
This position has a positive education requirement.
All Candidates must possess a J.D. or LL.B degree from an accredited law school; AND, must be a member in good standing of the appropriate licensing authority of any state, territory of the United States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or District of Columbia bar.
If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at click here
NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here
Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-795-6328. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation
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.
Qualified candidates will be rated by comparing each candidate's qualifications to the skills and experience pertinent to the position to be filled. Experience, education, training, awards, and performance will be considered. The following factors are of particular importance to the position to be filled, and applicants should provide specific detailed information in these areas as part of their application. These areas must be addressed in a document separate from the resume and submitted as part of the application package. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
Oral Communication
Written Communication
NOTE: Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview. Final selection will be made on the basis of relevant experience, education, training, performance appraisal, job-related awards, interview, and the skills and experience identified 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.
In order to receive full consideration, you must submit:
1. A resume or any other written format of your choice which clearly identifies the following information:
Job Information-Announcement number, title and grade.
Personal Information- Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address if available, day and evening phone numbers (with area code), country of citizenship, veterans' preference, highest Federal civilian series and grade held, if applicable.
Education- College or University name, city and state, major(s)and type and year of any degrees received.
Work Experience- job title, duties and accomplishments, current and former (within the last 10 years) employers' names and addresses, current and former supervisors' names and phone numbers where available, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary, and indicate whether your current supervisor may be contacted.
Qualifications- job-related training courses (title and year), skills, certificates and licenses, honors, awards, and special accomplishments.
2. A copy of your J.D. or LL.B. transcript.
3. A legal writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages.
4. You will be required to submit proof of current membership, in good standing, with the appropriate licensing authority of any state, territory of the United States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or District of Columbia bar.
5. Information related to the skills and experience listed under the Evaluations section above, may be done on a separate document, or incorporate it within your resume.
You may find general application information and other forms at the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, www.usajobs.opm.gov.None of the application documents will be returned.
In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard offers Career Transition Assistance Placement (CTAP) coverage to Attorneys within the Department of Homeland Security. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under CTAP provisions must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. If you are eligible under CTAP, you must submit a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or your specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP, a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, series, grade level and duty location. You must clearly indicate the grade from which you separated or declared surplus.
All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
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 begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on 05/08/2025.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your 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 Mona L. Johnson at Mona.L.Johnson@uscg.mil to obtain an alternative application.
Once the announcement is closed, we will conduct an evaluation of your application and qualifications to determine your ranking. The most qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. To check the status of your application, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." You may also opt to receive email notifications of application status changes by logging into your USAJOBS account and enabling notifications.
For more information on applying for federal employment click here
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In order to receive full consideration, you must submit:
1. A resume or any other written format of your choice which clearly identifies the following information:
Job Information-Announcement number, title and grade.
Personal Information- Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address if available, day and evening phone numbers (with area code), country of citizenship, veterans' preference, highest Federal civilian series and grade held, if applicable.
Education- College or University name, city and state, major(s)and type and year of any degrees received.
Work Experience- job title, duties and accomplishments, current and former (within the last 10 years) employers' names and addresses, current and former supervisors' names and phone numbers where available, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary, and indicate whether your current supervisor may be contacted.
Qualifications- job-related training courses (title and year), skills, certificates and licenses, honors, awards, and special accomplishments.
2. A copy of your J.D. or LL.B. transcript.
3. A legal writing sample, not to exceed 10 pages.
4. You will be required to submit proof of current membership, in good standing, with the appropriate licensing authority of any state, territory of the United States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or District of Columbia bar.
5. Information related to the skills and experience listed under the Evaluations section above, may be done on a separate document, or incorporate it within your resume.
You may find general application information and other forms at the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, www.usajobs.opm.gov.None of the application documents will be returned.
In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard offers Career Transition Assistance Placement (CTAP) coverage to Attorneys within the Department of Homeland Security. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under CTAP provisions must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. If you are eligible under CTAP, you must submit a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or your specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP, a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, series, grade level and duty location. You must clearly indicate the grade from which you separated or declared surplus.
All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
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 begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. We encourage you to apply online.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on 05/08/2025.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your 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 Mona L. Johnson at Mona.L.Johnson@uscg.mil to obtain an alternative application.
Once the announcement is closed, we will conduct an evaluation of your application and qualifications to determine your ranking. The most qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. To check the status of your application, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." You may also opt to receive email notifications of application status changes by logging into your USAJOBS account and enabling notifications.
For more information on applying for federal employment click here
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
