"The mission of FLETC, is to train and support the training of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and international partners that are responsible for enforcing laws, treaties, and regulations within the United States and abroad. We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more.
An incentive may be authorized. See additional information.
Summary
"The mission of FLETC, is to train and support the training of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and international partners that are responsible for enforcing laws, treaties, and regulations within the United States and abroad. We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more.
An incentive may be authorized. See additional information.
As an Attorney - Advisor (Labor), GS-0905-13/14, your typical work assignments may include:
Advising clients at the Assistant Director (AD) level and responding directly to the ADs/Deputy Assistant Directors (DADs) and their staffs with immediate assistance.
Recognizing issues with national and/or international importance and providing relevant information directly to the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel, the ADs and/or other senior staff.
Providing written and oral counsel, legal reviews, opinions, regulations or decisions in the application of the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, legislation, or policies to programs conducted or assisted by DHS components, and to DHS policies.
Serving as an attorney on the staff of the Deputy Chief Counsel to provide legal advice concerning labor and employment law.
Developing legally sound approaches regarding sensitive matters, such as privacy and civil rights and liberties of the staff, and delicate personnel and other matters.
Serves as an attorney on the staff of the Deputy Chief Counsel in order to provide legal advice concerning all aspects of the labor
management relations program; representing the agency in arbitrations and hearings in administrative appeals before the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP).
Providing assistance to Department of Justice attorneys representing the agency in employment and labor law actions.
Providing legal review and advice about employee and student conduct standards, investigations of misconduct, proposed disciplinary actions, and investigations of equal employment discrimination complaints.
Providing advice and training in the legal aspects of personnel, employment and labor law, postemployment conflicts of interest, third party administrative proceedings, equal employment opportunity law, and federal sector labor management relations law.
Providing assistance to Department of Justice attorneys representing the agency in tort, environmental, and real property
legal actions.
Providing legal review and advice concerning employee compliance with federal standards of conduct (5 C.F.R. part 2635). Responsible for the administration of the agency's training of federal employees on the federal standards of conduct, and providing such
training to agency employees.
Serving as legal consultant to the highest levels of FLETC management, including the Chief Counsel, recommending approaches to legal
issues where precedents and prior interpretations must be innovatively adapted.
Developing, or overseeing the development of, legal positions, legislative proposals, regulatory documents, policies and operations that involve significantly broadening or restricting agency activities affecting the agency's security posture and the public interest, and recommending legal approaches regarding novel issues for which the importance of the legal action/position as precedent is highly significant.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
You must successfully pass a background investigation to access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular
basis; must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
You must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy.
Overtime work may be required.
This position participates in FLETC’s Continuity of Operations Program. Responsible for ensuring little or no disruption to FLETC’s Mission
Essential or Primary Mission Essential Functions in the event of an emergency.
Required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure reporting.
Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
Requires a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Must maintain admission to a State Bar, Certificate of Good Standing, and an active license to practice law.
Qualifications
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Selective placement factor (screen-out): To be considered for this position, you must be an active member of a state bar in good standing in a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and in good standing in every jurisdiction in which you are licensed. Provide a copy of your Bar memberships.
Basic Educational Requirements: All applicants must possess one of the following law degrees. Please provide a copy of your transcripts. The first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD); OR the second professional law degree (LL.M)
In addition to the selective placement factors and educational requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-14 level, applicants must possess specialized professional legal experience of at least three years (one year of which must be equivalent to the GS-13 or higher) demonstrated by substantial legal writing and communication skills; conducting original legal research and legal analysis; and experience representing an agency in complex labor and employment law matters including collective bargaining, negotiating agreements with union leadership, and advising on employee litigation including removals and suspensions.
Time-in-Grade: Current and former GS federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
In addition to the selective placement factors and educational requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess:
A: Specialized professional legal experience of at least two years (one year of which must be equivalent to the GS-12 or higher) demonstrated by substantial legal writing and communication skills; conducting original legal research and legal analysis; and experience representing an agency in complex labor and employment law matters including collective bargaining, negotiating agreements with union leadership, and advising on employee litigation including removals and suspensions.
OR
B: Two years of judicial clerkship.
Time-in-Grade: Current and former GS federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 grade level in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
This position may be filled at the GS-13 or GS-14 level. If selection is made at the GS-13 level, promotion to the GS-14 level may occur without further competition.
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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Education
Applicants must be a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. You must submit a copy of both your law school and college transcript with your application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.
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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
Additional information
A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.
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.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, 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, fine, or imprisonment.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for a Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this non-critical sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
This is a permanent appointment in the excepted service and will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Employees hired under an excepted service appointment are required to serve a two (2) year trial period, unless already completed. Upon successful completion of the required trial period, this position will be permanent. This position does not confer non-competitive conversion to the competitive service. Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
An incentive may be authorized. See additional information section.
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 resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, and writing sample will be reviewed to ensure you meet the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job:
The Supervisor or Manager will evaluate qualified applicants by comparing each candidate's qualifications to those pertinent to the position. Relevant skills and experience, education and training, performance, and awards will be considered.
If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration.
Application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Homeland Security considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD form 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.
Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.
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.
An incentive may be authorized. See additional information section.
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.
Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held.
A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. In addition, a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official transcript for both college and law school.
All applicants must submit a recent (within last 2 years) legal writing sample, such as a legal brief, a legal memorandum, a legal article of law journal quality, or a legal training course curriculum development document/presentation.
Proof that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s.
Are you a veteran? You should provide the member 4 copy of your DD214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title,
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
Agency
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.
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 for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process.
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 the day the announcement closes.
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 your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within several weeks after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held.
A copy of your law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association. In addition, a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official transcript for both college and law school.
All applicants must submit a recent (within last 2 years) legal writing sample, such as a legal brief, a legal memorandum, a legal article of law journal quality, or a legal training course curriculum development document/presentation.
Proof that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
Are you a current or former Federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows competitive or excepted service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please submit the SF-50 showing the highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different from your current grade. Please note: Performance award, Details, and Realignments are not acceptable SF-50s.
Are you a veteran? You should provide the member 4 copy of your DD214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title,
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
Agency
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.
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 for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process.
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 the day the announcement closes.
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 your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within several weeks after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
