This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). We are hiring attorneys with Federal and/or administrative litigation experience, preferably in the area of employment law.
Summary
This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). We are hiring attorneys with Federal and/or administrative litigation experience, preferably in the area of employment law.
This announcement opens December 19, 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged and will receive first consideration.
This is a term position Not to Exceed 2 years but may be extended.
Attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) "first chair" litigation before administrative agencies in a broad range of employment and labor matters including adverse actions, reductions in force, suitability, labor relations, and discrimination.
Serving as lead counsel in important and sensitive litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).
Preparing cases for litigation, including writing motions, briefs, and other papers, conducting discovery, and participating in administrative hearings.
Making recommendations regarding settlement of litigation and appeal of adverse decisions, including the exercise of OPM's special statutory authority to obtain review of adverse MSPB decisions with a substantial impact on the civil service.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit.
Must be a member in good standing of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
Appointments made from this announcement are exempt from competitive service.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
At the GS-12 level and above: Applicants with one or more years of post Juris Doctorate (J.D.) legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:
A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;
Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and
At least one year of experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; at least two years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; and at least three years of progressively responsible experience to qualify at the GS-14 level.
At the GS-11 level: Applicants with less than one year of post J.D. legal work experience as a practicing attorney, such as a judicial clerkship or in general law practice, must have:
A J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association;
Active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
Academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class (to the extent an applicant's law school has class rank); and
Advanced educational attainment that indicates the ability to independently perform legal work, such as work or achievement of significance on a law school's official law reviews or journals; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif or winning a moot court competition); full-time or continuous participation in a legal clinic program as opposed to one-time, intermittent, or casual participation; significant summer clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience "first chairing" MSPB, EEO, or Federal litigation;
The ability to provide excellent customer service and to exercise sound judgment and decision making in challenging situations;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
High competence in legal research and analysis, including the ability to effectively integrate and synthesize facts and law to make legally sound decisions, including in compressed timeframes;
The ability to work both independently and as a team member in a demanding environment;
Willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ability to navigate changing circumstances;
Ability to effectively manage multiple work assignments and competing priorities concurrently;
Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships, both within and outside OGC;
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated, official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials must be submitted before your application will be considered complete.
Additional information
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.
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.
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 application package to ensure you meet the job requirements.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume;
A Cover Letter, which includes an identification of the GS level(s) for which you are applying;
Proof of active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
Othersupporting documents, as applicable:
Transcript: If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you will be required to submit your transcript before your application will be considered complete. If you are applying at the GS-12 level or above, you may be required to submit a transcript if you advance in the selection process.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, OPM considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
Performance Appraisals: Current Federal employees must submit their last three performance appraisals, or explain why three are not available (e.g. employed in the government for fewer than three years).
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any other documentation.
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 position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJobs@opm.gov. (NOTE: PDF format is preferred). Please include in the subject line the position you are applying for, your last name, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Attorney-Advisor, Doe, Jane, GS 11, GS12).
You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
References, Writing Sample, and Other Supporting Documents: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to: (1) submit three professional references; (2) submit a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length; and/or (3) complete one or more assessments. Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.
After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume;
A Cover Letter, which includes an identification of the GS level(s) for which you are applying;
Proof of active membership, in good standing, of the Bar of a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia;
Othersupporting documents, as applicable:
Transcript: If you are applying at the GS-11 level, you will be required to submit your transcript before your application will be considered complete. If you are applying at the GS-12 level or above, you may be required to submit a transcript if you advance in the selection process.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, OPM considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.
Performance Appraisals: Current Federal employees must submit their last three performance appraisals, or explain why three are not available (e.g. employed in the government for fewer than three years).
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Please do not submit any other documentation.
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 position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above to the following email address: OGCJobs@opm.gov. (NOTE: PDF format is preferred). Please include in the subject line the position you are applying for, your last name, and the GS level(s) for which you are applying. For example: Attorney-Advisor, Doe, Jane, GS 11, GS12).
You will receive an email acknowledgment when your application has been received. This is not an indication as to the completeness of your application; you are responsible for ensuring that you submit a complete application
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
References, Writing Sample, and Other Supporting Documents: If you advance in the selection process, you may be required to: (1) submit three professional references; (2) submit a writing sample not more than 20 pages in length; and/or (3) complete one or more assessments. Deliberate attempts to falsify information in your application may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency.
After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
